brianvf

He could play a season in the USHL and then return to UND. Quinn Fylling did that and it worked out pretty well for him.

Brad talks about the USHL protected list a bit in his latest blog entry: http://www.areavoices.com/undhockey/

Herald article: http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/i...mp;section=News

I would think that both Toews and Cichy would be at UND for at least three years if they come in this fall.

I would guess that at least one of the Duncan/Kozek duo stays, maybe both...who knows. Aside from PP time, VV only played with Oshie and Duncan for a few weekends near the beginning of the season, so saying that his points were based off of playing with them is a bit of a reach. Trupp and VV are poised to have huge break-out seasons. Genoway and Watkins will step it up a notch. Not to mention that Gregoire, Toews, and Hextall will all contribute immediately. Plus, we have our secret weapon returning in Forney. "Lucky to average 2 goals a game." Now there is some doom-and-gloom thinking for you.

Don't you mean "sorry for stalking you the last three years...".

You are underestimating the scoring potential of next year's Sioux team.

Thanks for everything TJ. You were a joy to watch out on the ice...always hustling. It's been a great three years, and good luck in StL!

I know...almost as funny as when Gopher fans were writing Wheeler into next year's lineup and giving him the C already.

No you couldn't. :D That's not even close.

I think Chay will be with the Sioux for all four seasons. He is very small for a dman, and isn't drafted. I, for one, will be quite fine with him being in a Sioux uni for another 2 seasons. Hopefully the "Kozek's dad story" is true, I think Kozek could really do some damage offensively if he were to stay for another season.

You must be close friends with the kid to have this kind of knowledge on the subject.

As a college hockey fan, sad to see one of the game's premier (smaller) players leave early. As a Sioux fan, I am happy to see him go. He's tormented us all three years that he was with the Eagles.

I think alot of the defense improvements in that time span can be pinned on the advancements in goalie technique and (larger) equipment. Just watching the goalies in the Heavy Metal Hockey video from 1987 makes me cringe, those guys looked horrible compared to today's goalies. That said, the game was still much more wide open in those days, so not all of it was the goalies, but I think a good chunk had to do with that.

I doubt there is much secrecy within the team. I would guess that Hakstol knows for the most part what Oshie/Finley/Chorney/Duncan/Kozek's decisions will be.

Despite his older age, I think that Bruneteau is the least likely of those 4 to come in next season. He barely played after his concussion, and didn't put up much for numbers when he did play. I could see him playing another year of juniors and joining the team in 2009. For sure I think that Gregoire and Toews come in. Those two won't be here for four seasons anyway, so we'll want to utilize their services while we can. To make roster spots available for some of these talented youngsters, I think that we could see some surprises with a couple returning forwards (unless we lose all Oshie, Duncan, Kozek, etc). Hakstol could make some moves with Davidson or Forney...

What would TJ Oshie do if he were here right now? He would kick an ars or two, that's what TJ Oshie would do.

Yeah, must have been looking at the ISS rankings. Either way, I can't wait to see both him and Gregoire in green next fall. They both sound like very special players.

He was ranked #71 in the complete mid-term rankings, so he only dropped 8 spots. In both rankings, he has been projected as a 3rd round draft pick.

Has Ryan Potulny played much/at all in the NHL since leaving early? An early departure from this year, Teslak from MTU, was the winning goalie in this game.

I would think that Cichy will come in regardless of who leaves. Same with Toews, Gregoire, Hextall, Lamoureux, Eidsness, and Blood. The players that would more depend on who leaves or who is more ready would be Gleason, Finehage, MacWilliam, and Bruneteau. Bruneteau was slated to come in for 2008, but has struggled to get back in the lineup after his concussion, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him play another year in the USHL.

That's alright, that's what Toews, Gregoire, and Hextall are supposed to do as freshmen.

Good question. Here's his take on it: http://mckeenshockey.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=784013 And here's some mention about his commitment to UND: Sounds like Halifax was really pushing him hard to go the QMJHL route, even after his commitment to UND.

He got a 6th year medical hardship waiver. Thanks NCAA!