stoneySIOUX

This is all completely fair. I just think our current class is a little packed up. They knew the kid needed a scholarship and based on the players coming in, he didn't have one this season. UND made the decision of one more year of Hain/Sendo for a run at a title over Spicer, who COULD end up being good, or could end up being Ryder Donavan.

What if UND wins a natty this year? #SimpleQuestions

So, Spicer was going to be undrafted and play a third line role in his UND career? No. Sendo spent four years here enough to earn a chance to come back and was offered it. If you want to make that comp to someone else, that's fine, that one feels silly.

He would have been in a suit for his first season.

I'm on board with this, for sure.

Honestly? At 17? Alright, I'll take your word, but I don't think he's a kid who's ready for college hockey this year. I really don't like losing him, but he made his choice now that we told him we didn't want him this year. I'm not saying you are 100%, but comparing Sanderson/Terry's unmeasurables to Spicer's seems .... well, silly. I get your point, though. My measurement is from what I have seen and what I've read and I don't think Spicer is ready this season. So, we would have had to move someone else to bring him in and maybe get him for three more years? Idk... I think it's the right call to have him not play here next year. From there, Spicer made his decision.

From here on out, what would you prefer/like to see? Budy gone, bring in all four forwards?

THIS! The portal is making for some really tough choices, both for the players and the coaches. Coaches believed he wasn't ready. He believes he is, he's making his choice. Again, he'd be in a suit this year playing in the NCHC.

Yep. Open ended dates and it changes per development. He was likely told at 15 that "we think you'll be ready in 22-23", but then James moved ahead of him, is what I'm guessing. Looking forward to the end of this portal stuff, too.

So, this goes back to the same argument that we've been having with current players, James, Blake, Etc... There are roles. Spicer would be in a suit basically all year unless we are all ok with bottom 6. Never said he wasn't close to being good enough, but he's not better than 75% of our forwards, IMO. He's also not better than Blake, McLaughlin, and James, from what I've seen.

Oh, well that's a different thing than you said. Sorry. I don't disagree with that. I don't think he's better than 75% of our current forwards. Not even close, IMO.

Right now?? Or like, in two years? I'm sorry, but if it's right now, not a chance.

LOL -- Sendo and Hain don't have hockey IQ? Plenty of arguments to be made against keeping these two... this is not one of them.

C'mon, can we do this without belittling Hain and Sendo's roles? Both of those two are very important to the program and this year's team, IMO. This year feels like an "all-in" year. I never thought Spicer was coming this year. Did any of you? It really, really sucks he's leaving, but other than maybe Strinden, who likely isn't on scholly and changes the equation a bit, would any of you pick Spicer over Blake, McLaughlin or James?

He's 17, right? I feel like the kid is panicking a bit. I always thought he'd come in 23-24. Efff....

Since 2017-18: DU -- 1 and done, lost in the Frozen Four Semi, didn't make the tourney - 2-2 record, missed one season Mankato -- 1 and done, 1 and done, Lost in Frozen Four semi -- 2-3 record, made the tourney every year possible. So, Mankato actually had a little more.

The more and more I hear, I think James is for sure coming in. So, LOTS of forwards

From what I recall, they offered him the spot as a kind of hail mary.

LOLOL did he actually say this to you?

Bobby Brink signs. Could open the floodgates in Denver.

From what I heard today, I think he'll go.

Even before today, I didn't think he'd be Top 6 next year based on Blake being Top 6.

LOL definitely will be lots of butthurt fans about it. Their butthurtness fuels me

I feel ya, man. Again, I don't think he wanted to play 3rd line minutes and potentially not be on the PP. If he doesn't sign, he can go and play top minutes and try to earn a pro contract. I don't think his pro prospects would be greatly improved if he stayed at UND another year.

Sandy first team All-American. Love it. Kid's a stud and we'll all miss him at UND.