siouxforce19

That's where I saw him play. Yeah, you definitely knew he'd be in the NHL in a short period of time. On a side note, I met his mom and sister at that tournament. Ha, random.

See, now there's a guy I can respect. And today, with the kid that decommitted from Miami because he aged out of the NTDP and didn't want to play his draft year in the USHL ... well Kristo and Mattson aged out too , and they aren't doing too bad for themselves either. People can say nothing fishy is going on in Ann Arbor, but the track record of the last couple years speaks for itself if you ask me. People say most keep their commitments. Well, good for them. They know the meaning of the word. As for the others... perhaps they needed a college education more than anything so they can improve their vocabulary. Okay. End of rant.

After having a day or so to think about this situation, I'd say the thing that pisses me off the most about it is that this is a kid who has been committed since he was 15. And... I don't think I'm that off base to think that there are 1000s of kids across North America that would have killed to be in this kid's spot. And he took up a space of a kid who really wants to be a Sioux. That's what irks me. Kids that decommit are taking away roster spots from kids who really want to be in our program. Yeah, I get people change their mind, but if you're not 110% committed, you shouldn't commit in the first place. I just can't wish someone well that disses my alma mater. I just can't do that. I'll say good luck, but I won't wish them well. We are in a good spot for next year not losing much. But a year ago things were a lot different. And you just never know when we're going to have a year like last year.

They have "front office" people to handle the duties of the GM until it's filled. But as a college player, they can't contact you. If you're interested in signing, said college player would have to contact them first. I'm sure Kristo has "people" he knows in the front office of Montreal that he contacted. Sounds like Montreal didn't extend an offer because Kristo indicated his interest in returning to UND.

His dad also said his game was better suited for the college game. You can't rule anyone out, but I wouldn't call him iffy quite yet. You usually know the guys that are iffy a bit closer to their arrival date, and he won't be here until 2014.

Why do you say that?

UND does nothing. We are losing 2 forwards and bringing in 3. We're fine. Plus we get Grimaldi and St Clair back, both of whom will be in the freshman class technically.

Additionally, besides Rocco and Forbort, the only kids with ties to the NTDP in our program, Mattson and Kristo, coincidentally aged out of the NTDP and played their senior year of HS in the USHL.

3 of out of 4 of our recruits out of the NTDP have bailed on their commitments. If that's not a telling sign about that program, I don't know what is.

Couldn't crack the lineup at DU. Went back to the NAHL. I'm sure he was decent, but I'd guess a borderline D1 player at best. This is just what I'm deducing without ever seeing him play. I have also assumed this was DU's attempt to get a package deal.

Well, if you'd stop tweeting them to me... Haha.

Agreed. I liked him a lot also.

He's said he's not leaving high school for juniors. I'd suspect he'd go to UMD in 2014, but you never know.

Did I miss where someone said one of the freshies was going to play top 6 minutes? I thought that was long-term talk, not next season. But I digress. And just to clarify, lots of freshmen have gotten turns on the top line, but haven't always stuck. I expect Grimaldi to fill Nelson's spot with Kristo and Knight and to start I wouldn't be surprised to see MacMillan-Rowney-Parks stay together. Freshies will battle it out with the returning guys for 3rd and 4th line spots.

The "Mole" blocked me on Twitter. I guess he can dish it out but he can't take it himself. Haha.

Leddy plays and I will seriously question the decision making of the powers that be.

Do that and we'll never see him.

Oh it's been a great day indeed.

I just assume ND kids are looked at closely. Particularly ones with D1 potential. Do you think our staff wants to let too many go elsewhere if they have the capability to contribute at UND?

I'm not misinformed. I've heard the garbage spouted off by major junior teams. I know all about what kind of team Portland is. They're a solid junior team. Doesn't mean they don't pitch their program to some parents and feed them BS.

Exactly. I've grown to prefer if our recruits don't play for that program. It hasn't seemed to work out too well for us lately. I hope Koules comes. I really do. But if not, I'm not going to get too broken up about it either.

My opinion on the Koules situation is that I would rather have guys here that are 100 percent committed to being here. Anyone who is debating about backing out on a commitment is not committed to the program. This goes for any player. I mean, I realize kids change their minds, but learn the meaning of the word "commitment" before you make one.

I think the two gopher fans that sat behind me at regionals might have a few veins pop.

I don't think that was accurate. Keep in mind the Fargo beat writer wrote that, so I don't think he knows any inside info since Paul was a 2012/13 recruit. And when Mac decided to stay that pretty much glued Paul for another year in Lincoln. It's going to be tough to crack that blue line next year

Same diff... That's how they persuade..