tho0505

Of course it's still being decided. That's the discussion. He's ranked now #22, according to ISS Hockey now. Of course all this is assumptions, but if he goes in the first and doesn't come in '18, he'll be a first rounder starting college at 19. Most first rounders don't last over two years in college nowdays starting at 18. If we get 2 season out of him, he'd be 21 at that point (assuming starting at '19). Dante Fabbo is a good comparison, late season birthday and BU might get 3 years out of him by bringing him in at 18. Now JBD won't go as high, but NHL teams push there prospects to sign earlier and earlier. If he's a first rounder, wouldn't you want him here earlier? I sure would. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=247041

Correct, 17 currently...that's why most websites have him starting at UND in '19 because of his later birthday. Which he would be 19 yrs old and a first round draft pick?! We'd only get a year or so from him. My whole point is that if possible we should accelerate.

Agreed.... he was originally committed to Maine. I can't see him being more than a one and done with how highly ranked he is..

With his frame, he'll translate quickly. It was nice to see Kawaguchi come on strong towards the end of the year; he tore up the BCHL last year too. I've read some people criticizing our incoming class; we have a top 5 class in my opinion, including two potential first round defensemen (Assuming JBD comes). I assume we'll see Jacob Bernard-Docker this coming year, being a first rounder. From my memory I think Dillon Simpson came in at 17 to UND or close to it. Hak / Berry / Jackson over the past 15 years have developed the art of high end skilled players with 4 year type guys. You need that depth to compete consistently year in and year out.

Completely agree....brutal to see him go to BU though... Quinn reminds me of a Urban Meyer, slick recruiter and able to connect with the prospects easily.

A little late on the response, but BU has been killing it on the recruiting trail. In fact, this last years (2016) class might have been one of the best all-time in college hockey. Time will tell, but from a high end recruit stand point, they crushed it this year. I would love to see if ANY college program has had more than 3 first rounders in one draft.

Agreed. College hockey is better when Maine is among the elite. I know Maine fans were kicking themselves and the administration for not bringing in Montgomery, but it is nice to see their early success this season.

I think you are exactly right. "Kawaguchi will come to campus next fall — and you’ve got to believe he’ll be the final forward commit for 2017-18." Brad S

I agree UND does have a great track record of getting an extra year out of all players, regardless of the talent, but Jost is a top 10 pick and there is little patience with NHL teams nowdays with high end players. Technically Toews played one year after his draft year. The only higher draft pick than Jost that you mentioned was Toews. He came in at 17, played a year, was drafted, and played one more year. Not the same situation. He's a high end draft pick and we'll be lucky to keep him two years. The Avs will come knocking if he blows away the NCAA this season. The NHL is moving to speed and skill, Jost offers the Avs that. With the early success of skilled guys like Matthews, it'll definitely be a 50/50 chance. We all love our culture, program, and what UND offers, but the reality is keeping players for more than 1 year for a top ten pick is really a toss up and extremely hard to do for any program.

Forward Commits Available for 2017-18 Age Name Pos. Yr. Hometown (Prev School) 19 Nicholas Jones ('96) F Fr. Edmonton, AB 19 Jackson Keane ('97) F Fr. Denver, CO 19 Jordan Kawaguchi F Fr. Abbotsford, BC 18 Mitchell Mattson ('98) F Fr. Grand Rapids, MN 18 Mark Senden ('98) F Fr. Plymouth, MN 18 Collin Adams ('98) F Fr. Brighton, MI 17 Grant Mismash ('99) F Fr. Edina, MN

Potential Departures Ending 2017 No. Name Pos. Yr. Hometown (Prev School) 20 [C] Gage Ausmus D Sr. East Grand Forks, Minn. (U.S. NTDP ) 30 Matt Hrynkiw G Sr. Saskatoon, SK (Humboldt-SJHL) 3 [A] Tucker Poolman D Jr. East Grand Forks, Minn. (Omaha-USHL) 14 [A] Austin Poganski F Jr. St. Cloud, Minn. (Tri-City-USHL) 33 Cam Johnson G Jr. Troy, Mich. (Waterloo-USHL) 16 [A] Brock Boeser F So. Burnsville, Minn. (Waterloo-USHL) 17 Tyson Jost F Fr. Penticton, BC Keep in mind we have Schmaltz' spot from this year that went unfilled. Agreed on the locked players to come in: Adams, Mismash, Kawaguchi, and Jones. I don't see how we have room for anyone else barring a transfer. If by some magic we get Jost for another year, it complicates things more. I know the numbers all work out, but we also don't want to overcommit with players just to see them go else where when we delay them.

Yep, hence my comment right after about having room for Bowers now. It's a logjam for next season.

My concern is do we even have room for Bowers next year? We have a log jam at forward now.

Yeah his Elite Prospect page has him committed to Providence

My take on this weekend: Several of our lines are going to be really hard to play against for any team. Boeser playing with ANYONE will result in production. We saw the potential of the Jost to Boeser combination. Poganski and Gardner are in a league above everyone else. Physically and mentally they are game changers and wear down the opponents. Gardner's quick-release goal on Friday shows why I expect 15 from him this year. Defense is going to be a work in progress, although TPoolman and Ausmus are ready and able. They are going to have to log a lot of minutes. CPoolman was the most up to task besides our top two d-men. We definitely are going to struggle defensively this year (compared to last years potentially best ever UND defensive core). As for goaltending, Cam looks up to the task and will continue to be steady Eddie. Obviously wasn't tested much, but looked poised as ever. Biggest surprised: Dixon Bowen. Awesome energy, great on draws. That fourth line now looks dangerous and has an offensive upside. I see us as a 10 loss team this year. Good, but not 2015-16 great.

Brad S reporting Caulfield from GFC is going to play at UND.

I'm just amazed for how well Through These Doors is done, why they wouldn't make it available via Blu Ray / Digital HD download, why release it in DVD form?

Is it even worth buying if you've seen all the TTD?

I sure hope so. That's something that I've noticed, the lack of school colors with the logo. I love how the Big Sky logo changes color schemes to match the schools.

We've had several commits over the last year (Hain, Mattson, Tychonick, Karki, etc) and all will be or are drafted. The issue is space for everyone committed from my viewpoint. We only have 2 seniors on this years rosters and zero senior forwards. We have Mattson, Jones, Adams, Mismash, Keane, and Senden all age ready come in next year (2017), roster spots are now at a premium. I assume Keane and Senden will be delayed until 2018. I still want us to go after Bowers though! Potential Departures Ending 2017 No. Name Pos. Yr. Hometown (Prev School) 20 [C] Gage Ausmus D Sr. East Grand Forks, Minn. (U.S. NTDP ) 30 Matt Hrynkiw G Sr. Saskatoon, SK (Humboldt-SJHL) 3 [A] Tucker Poolman D Jr. East Grand Forks, Minn. (Omaha-USHL) 14 [A] Austin Poganski F Jr. St. Cloud, Minn. (Tri-City-USHL) 33 Cam Johnson G Jr. Troy, Mich. (Waterloo-USHL) 16 [A] Brock Boeser F So. Burnsville, Minn. (Waterloo-USHL) 17 Tyson Jost F Fr. Penticton, BC

Oh no. Terrible idea. Worst idea yet. Let the championships pile up and enjoy them from your home!

Stay home from now on and forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not necessarily "old school" but the book "One Goal" is a photo diary of the 2010 season. https://www.amazon.com/One-Goal-Allison-Davis-OKeefe/dp/0983786437 Some absolutely amazing photos came from that season and book. You can find a lot of them online in higher resolution as well.

Just wishing we had some generic hawk that actually looks like a logo. I like what Michigan Tech did, simple, yet the Husky can stand alone, unlike our Dove.

Not that short of a lease......two year extension was just signed. Not a fan of Lucia, but the man deserves far more respect than he is given. In the last five years, the gophers have had five straight regular season titles, 1 NCAA title game, 2 Frozen Four Appearances. He's has had recent success and let's not forget two national titles. Red Berenson hasn't won a title since 1998 and the Michigan faithful are letting him go out on his own terms.