stoneySIOUX

Minus the gold medal in last year's WJC?

I'm fine with his opinion and it's rooted in love for our team, but it's the frickin' Olympics lol.

I mean, it seems like your point has shifted a bit a few times, but yes, we all understand that it's a bit of "risk" to go there. The issue I have is that you keep glossing over the fact that this is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and making it about how you feel about UND's chance to win a national championship. If this was something a kid has wanted his whole life, worked his sack off for, and you don't think he should go because of your personal hopes, that is bothersome and why I say the thought process lacks perspective.

LOL let's not do that in this thread. No one honestly knows if the Olympics are gonna go.

What a wonderful reference. You win my gold star for the day. I legit LOLed.

Just out of curiosity, would you say any of this to this kid's face? We all want Sandy to help up bring home hardware, man. But, this thought process lacks so much perspective.

Todd Mileweski's tweet made a lot of sense -- if NCAA head coaches are saying yes, it's a pretty solid signal that the players will be on board as well.

I was told we're certainly trying and the current guess/speculation/stove talk is he's heavily considering Providence.

Spinning this as a positive, UND is still where they are in spite of this. I'll bet my house he won't do that again in the second half.

Consider this a quasi-recruiting visit.

World Junior Championships, eh? So much for this thread.

Absolutely. Kids experiencing this will definitely have a new perspective on what could happen. Nonsense all around.

FYP But, I agree, let's stick to hockey.

You said it's hard to consider him a UND player, but alright man. Yes, this is an odd year. No one said it's normal. All of that said, I'm not in the camp that I would ever not consider him a UND player.

Lol you think he's no longer a UND player? "Not hating on the kid for taking advantage of an opportunity" No, not a bit hyperbolic.... this is dramatic. I get what you're saying, but I just don't agree, man.

Looking at their team website, it sure looks like they are planning on playing this weekend at ASU. So, this hopefully bodes well for the weekend after. https://cornellbigred.com/news/2021/12/28/mens-ice-hockey-9-mens-hockey-ramps-back-up-with-trip-to-arizona-state.aspx

I've already mentally scratched him from the month of January and February. I'd assume they'll have him there no later than 2 weeks before the games, but that's with no insight regarding the process. Getting him back for the March 4/5 series to end the regular season @ Omaha is what I'm thinking.

Thanks man. Just bummed out that people are in any way salty at this kid. I get it. It sucks for us as UND fans for the current season. But, it's the frickin Olympics! If he goes, he deserves it and it's huge for our program in the long term.

I definitely agree our chances to take a hit. I guess I wasn't necessarily pointing you out specifically, but in general, anyone who's calling him out and saying he shouldn't go (again, not you, since you said you were just pointing it out), is definitely being selfish and/or unempathetic. I've seen a lot of it on here and on that God forsaken Facebook group.

Good stuff here from Schloss on a bunch of our recruits and others: https://www.therinklive.com/inside-trl/7329109-The-Rink-Radar-10-recruits-with-notable-first-half-performances-in-the-USHL

Who's arguing we love titles less than Olympians? What's your point? Nothing you said changes the fact that if Sanderson gets picked for the Olympics, it'll be your choice if you want to be butthurt at a kid who will have to make that decision. And that's my problem. Feels like a massive lack of empathy from our fanbase and also very selfish.

I would just be soooooo saaaaad for them

He'll definitely play in the WJC and will very likely be invited to play for the Olympic team.

Absolutely awesome. Well deserved. Man, we're gonna miss this kid when he's gone. Special player.

All of your points are absolutely fair, but none of it precludes anyone from telling him he can't or shouldn't go. He's earned it and if selected, I think he should absolutely go. And we should celebrate this kid being good enough to get this shot. I guarantee his teammates and coaches will. Again, it's a massive feather in our program's cap to have an Olympian. How awesome was it to hear UND talked about when TJ Sochi became a household name a few years back? He's surely good enough to play in the Olympics again, but "what ifs" always abound.... if he gets the offer and he wants to go, he should absolutely go. Yeah, I think the messaging is weird that the US is willing to send others, but the main reason the NHL isn't sending players is because they are protecting their profits for the guys they have on contracts. That doesn't apply to college players.