redwing77

It depends, imo, who you are talking about. There's nothing Lucia could have done differently to make the Chicago Blackhawks believe that Leddy wasn't ready. I think Leddy could have been on any DI or MJ team and he still would have signed. As for Birkholz, again, Lucia isn't to blame for this one. You can't coach away off ice stupidity. Lucia did react and was prepared to suspend the moron for 7 games (though I heard 7 weeks which is twice that), so Lucia is off the hook on this one. As for a fading program, I think this is a coaching issue but it isn't Lucia. Offensively, they've been in a downswing, sure, but it wouldn't be nearly as bad if their team D would have been worth anything. Defense is BY FAR AND AWAY the worst aspect of the Gophers. And it isn't talent. It's the system they play and the decisions made therein. Who makes the decisions on defense? John Hill. And if you argue about the wrong recruits, who recruits D for Minnesota? John Hill. Lucia WILL lose his job next season if things continue and, imo, JOHN HILL will be the man that takes him down. The next question would be: Do you go after Hastings in Omaha or do you do the stupidest thing in Gopher history and hire Hill?

Never assume. I thought O'Donnell was going to play in the USHL. I assumed incorrectly it seems.

And I'm just recycling MPLSBison's rationale. Despite UND not controlling or owning or operating the REA, the NCAA won't allow a regional there regardless of host because UND somehow controls the REA under the table somehow in some double secret (probation) method. Wait.... what's this lease agreement REA Inc has with UND? That makes them a tenant of the REA? Close enough. I know I rent an apartment in Omaha here. Because I do so, I can control Lund, the management company that owns my building, right?

I agree. I dislike the Gophers with a passion on the ice.... but this off the ice stuff is just sad. I know there are those that think "Anything bad news to Minnesota is good news for everyone else" but I'm not that person. ------------------------------------------ In other unfortunate news, anyone here catch what happened to that BSU player? I can't remember his name but he had a stroke. A f-ing stroke! I didn't know that happened in people less than 30 years of age who are not epileptic! This kid I guess is going into either his sophomore of junior year at BSU. Here is the story on Ben Kinne

GPL says TWO failed drug tests. I don't know for what....pot? steroids? Although I just don't know how steroids could be the culprit.... does the NCAA or UMN have drug testing?

First off, Birkholz's deal isn't Lucia's problem. In fact, Birkholz did Lucia a favor by leaving. I heard that it is a drug charge (Marijuana). I don't know if that's even remotely true, but if so, the kid's dumb as rocks. It's kindof interesting to see that, though he can get suspended from a DI team, a Major Junior team will simply pishposh the whole thing. That's ok. Birkholz is fast becoming another $10 talent with a 10 cent head. And, imo, Ambroz won't be allowed to unpack in Omaha. He's on his way back. Second, rumor is rumor. I see Ness (who I assume was the one instead of a fictional Dman named Hess) staying. Third, Lucia bashing is of Lucia's own doing. They're not that bad offensively. They have decent talent between the pipes. They have atrocious special teams (which, at least concerning the power play, frankly stuns me) and almost no team defense to speak of. People here equate physicality to team D and, to an extent, they're right, but it isn't always exclusive. Mankato's Team D in recent past was very physical but not always effective. Lucia did this to himself because he gives Hill too much power over the areas that the team is lacking and fails to recognize it well enough to realize that it is directly effecting his job. Minnesota logistically is strange these days. They fire or reassign Woog and the Rug alluding to the premise that they're affecting the quality of the game as it is being broadcast (The Rug I can see their point... but bias or not, Woog did a good job). However, the unbelievable loyalty to John Hill WILL cost Lucia his job. Broken record, I know, but: A defenseman not developing... blame Hill. A defenseman developing.... despite Hill. Leddy signing is just Chicago getting overworried about their team. And yeah, gone is all of their depth and possibly goaltending but.... They put themselves in this position thanks to Huet and Hossa and, to be blunt, the bonuses to Toews and Kane. Leddy was dumb. He should've stayed at least one more year and used it as leverage. There's a chance the Hawks will lose Seabrook next year and that means, though it won't effect Leddy financially, it could leverage him into a better position as to making the NHL straight from college. Who will come in to replace Leddy?

What's in it for Bemidji? And, forgive my not fully understanding the meaning of the term but... would this not be collusion?

I don't know for sure, but from my observations of watching BSU play UND, they play a style that would be very compatible with the WCHA. They don't thug it up or slow the game down really. I think BSU will be the sleeper team this year. I might be the only UND fan to say this, but... I hope Lucia does well enough to keep his job in Minny but poor enough to fire Hill's ass.

I dunno. I think Minnesota and CC is too high and DU and UW are too low even with their losses. I predict: 1. UND 2. SCSU 3. UMD 4. DU 5. CC 6. UMN 7. UW 8. BSU 9. UNO 10. MSUM 11. UAA 12. MTU UMN could even end up as far down as 7th. BSU could end up as far up as 6th. UW will drop for sure as their defense suffers and their goatending is exposed as what it really is: medicore at best. Then again, UW has hit a lull in goaltending. They struck gold with Elliott and Bruckler but they've been pretty silent since then.

Gott in Himmel.

Where do they come up with the names for these teams? Grizzly Adams? Is their mascot Gentle Ben? Seriously...

Holst has run out of eligibility and was in the right place at the right time to continue hockey at a higher level than the CIS. Hakstol came calling, perhaps swinging a little leftower schollie action and Holst jumped at it. Chances are, we won't be seeing much of Holst this year anyways.

I was thinking: Poster child for why admission standards are set too low. ------- In truth, I'd love to see the NCAA sue a private entity such as the REA for nickname hogwash. They won't stand a chance in hell. The judge will look at them and say "What does this have to do with NCAA rules and by laws? The NCAA is not a regulator of private businesses. Go back to trying to find more ways to rip off the public."

That's not what I said he's doing. Portland's angle isn't the money but rather the better location relative to "home." ND is far away from California. Obviously Michigan wasn't an option because I'm sure Michigan or Michigan State would have been on the list of schools if it was. I'm not saying he'll report to Portland. Just giving the devil's advocate position. Next fall? You could easily misinterpret that, ya know. No, Holst will be too busy composing symphonies to play. Or is that the wrong Holst?

This interview was done before Rocco's rights were traded to Portland. Portland is closer to home (though I thought his folks moved to Michigan?). So certain things COULD change (not that they will, but they could). There have been instances where the location of the MJ team was not to the recruit's liking so he committed to a DI team or refused to sign the contract until he was traded to a team that was more to his liking. Not altogether an ethical or mature response, but it's happened. That being said, I hope Rocco still comes but I am not the one that says he will until he reports to campus. Is this the recruited walk on that Schlossman talked about possibly being brought in? Well... I guess he gets a scholarship? Is it possible that the scholarship is more academics (business scholarship for example) rather than athletic? Seems odd that Brad talks about bringing in a recruited walk on and then bring in a scholarship overager.

I was about to comment the same thing. I thought tourney sites were supposed to be neutral anyways? Of course, UND and REA could vie to host the tourney if UND promises not to do well enough to make the tourney in the first place.... But that seems likely since MPLSBison just told us that we might as well drop the sport anyways.

You're really going to make an issue out of what we call DIAA or FCS? Whatever. I don't care about who wins this trophy. It's just that it exists. More and more of these athletes are giving those who actually try a bad name. This isn't the "X went to the bar and was caught underage drinking" garbage. This is theft, assault and battery, and so on. It is bad enough that prima dona athletes now have the ability to influence ADs as to whether or not to keep or fire coaches. This is a major issue.

Could this be an inroad to a sponsorship role for the El Rocco?

I know just as many who have gotten their teacher's licenses through NDSU... Oh... wait... That NDSU program is run through VCSU. What I think should be done is this: We're now in an era where distance learning is becoming the going trend. So, I say, let's do that. Incorporate any worthwhile programs VCSU offers into NDSU, Mayville into UND, and then close them down.... mostly. Turn them into institutes of distance learning. Resource centers for distance learning students who attend UND (Mayville) or NDSU (VCSU). What a resource center would be includes a library, computer labs, tutoring and writing resource centers, guidance counseling (including job counseling), admissions counseling, financial aid and business offices, etc. All coursework would run out of the parent academic insitution (UND, NDSU, etc.). In fact, they could be run out of multiple institutions if they want. For example, you could be taking education distance ed coursework through UND, General Ed requirements out of Bismarck, and perhaps some work for your minor in business through NDSU. All of it done online. The computer labs would aid students who don't have internet access at home and provide tech assistance if they require it to navigate the system or have computer problems. I like the idea of letting some go to tech schools and junior colleges. I think Bottineau, Jamestown, and Devils Lake would be good ideas for junior colleges. Hammersmith is right on with the Tech Schools.

Yeah, what stickboy said. That's what I was trying to get at. One Mr. Hockey bust doesn't make a trend. I think Bjugstad will be just fine.... as soon as he turns pro.

Thanks!

Probably won't. So far he's said nothing about Gregoire. I would like to know what he does think of UND though. His attitude towards college hockey baffles me as he went the NCAA route. Maybe his time at Maine wasn't a positive experience. True that. We can all rail on Minnesota fans or any other fanbase in college hockey for arrogance but all of those NCAA arrogant fanbases can be combined and it still wouldn't equal the condescending arrogant attitudes mj fans seem to possess. I didn't see much of any worth in Blake Wheeler when he was drafted and Bjugstad looks similar to Wheeler in size and ability. The difference is that Bjugstad was drafted about where his talent level projects. So what I'm saying is that Bjugstad may actually pan out and has a far better chance to do so then Fischer I don't know what Bjugstad will show at the collegiate level, but if he uses his size with the skillset he's shown in high school, he'll be very very good. But yeah, Fischer is a bust. I hope Fischer got a decent degree at UMN. Because, like most NCAA athletes, he'll be going pro in something other than sports. Question: Is Colton St. Clair draft eligible? Or is he eligible next year?

THis is spot on. The Hawks didn't need Reasoner. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets traded (I actually was surprised that he wasn't traded already for picks) if they can find the right offer (probably an unsigned prospect or 2011 draft picks now). This was purely a monetary move. If money wasn't an issue, do you honestly think the Hawks would trade away Byfuglien? I really think he was the only guy that made me sad to see the trade happen. Nothing against Sopel or Eager, but I think they're far easier to replace than Byfuglien. Even if Reasoner stays in Chicago, it's not all that bad. He's a decent role player and has been around for a while. He is a far more proven commodity than Colin Fraser. And Chicago did get decent work out of hasbeens (See Boynton). But yeah, this was purely financial. And now scuttlebutt has it with the new cap numbers, Chicago may not have to make a trade. I just hope Bowman can find a way to either convince Huet to take a pay cut or find an interesting way to get rid of Huet while minimizing the cap hit (Mission Impossible).

I doubt he heads anywhere else but tOSU. It seems like all I read about him is that he committed to tOSU because of Osiecki. He'll commit to tOSU as soon as Osiecki lets him know if a scholarship is available and when he will arrive on campus (2012 or 2013)

Agreed. Some say he was Atlanta's top forward prospect.