redwing77

Sterling- Essentially we are agreeing with each other. I cited Vande's size as an asset. I think all three of them have a strong offensive upside. Miller's biggest weakness is his strength. He didn't get knocked off the puck last season, he got thrown off of it. I realize that he was coming off of major shoulder surgery, so I discount some of them, but seriously, there were times where he'd get a body check (not even a big hit at that) and he'd go flying off the puck. I have no doubt in my mind that Miller's not going to take a seat and say "Gawash, skippah, I jus' here to warm da pines!" In fact, if he (or any Sioux player) has that type of attitude, I don't think he should be on the team! I hope Martens, Genoway, Miller, Foyt, Bishop, and Vandevelde all make the people ahead of them look over their shoulders on the depth chart because that means they are forcing the hands of the established players and that makes EVERYONE better. FWIW, I watched Martens play during the Harvard series last year and, though he didn't really do much offensively, he wasn't a liability either. And he did hustle a lot, worked hard every time he touched the ice, and he tried to throw his weight around. If given the opportunity, Martens could very well be another Erik Fabian.

Note on Lee: Hockeysfuture is dead on with Lee's weaknesses but only to a certain extent. Lee isn't physical enough, but he should not be expected to be as physical as Smaby, Greene, or any of those defensive defensemen types. Positionally, he's as good as anyone on the Sioux, but his greatest asset are the assets listed in that blurb from hockeysfuture. If I could choose any defenseman on the Sioux to start the offensive rush when the game was on the line, I'd choose Lee. Sure, it is tough considering how good Chorney was last season, but I think Lee is the man when it comes to that. As for Brady Murray: IMO (because I can't seem to figure out how to find out this type of information) I'd think that Brady's entering his final year (now until June 1, 2007) of his Kings ownership status. If he doesn't get signed by the LA Kings by June 1, 2007, then he becomes a Free Agent. As for the Swiss league, I thought it was widely assumed to be a more defensive league? I don't know. I am just not sure that Brady made the best choice by leaving UND for that league.

CRR- You're wrong about Detroit going with another goaltender that will choke in the playoffs. The Wings signed Hasek, therefore ensuring that choking won't happen to Hasek, as by that time he'll be injured and out for the season.

Vandevelde was drafted already. Miller went undrafted. I think you are picking on the wrong freshman. If you ask me, as I've already stated, if Miller were to platoon with any freshman, it would be Bishop, not Vandevelde.

My bad on the committment info. As for the reasoning behind why Phil left the USHL for the NAHL, I stand (or sit) corrected. I thought the reason he gave for returning to the Jets (lack of playing time) was because he just couldn't crack the lineup. I guess I'm wrong.

AOL, the ISP that hosts his site, has a hard capped bandwidth limit. Meaning only X amount of visits are allowed per 24 hour period (I believe it is 4 am to 4 am). If activity is high, the cutoff point gets earlier in the day. The best time to check his site is in the mornings usually. He used to carry a mirror site but he cited that there was low enough activity with the primary site to go down to just one site. Though I am thankful that he updates and maintains those sites and the attached blog, I wish he'd host it on an ISP that didn't suck as badly as AOL does.

The thought crossed my mind is: How many teams can boast having way more Captain quality players than there are allowable slots? I mean, Toews is rumored to be a leading candidate to wear the "C" for the U20 Team Canada WJC team this year (not saying he will, but that's the scuttlebutt). Oshie led us on and off the ice last year. Fabian embodies what makes a great captain in terms of work ethic. Porter is a true team player, going the extra mile for his teammates. Bina has been there for the team before and even after his serious injury and serves as a true inspiration when it comes to overcoming adversity. It's truly a wonderful feeling knowing that there are at the very least 5 qualified players who could wear the letter.

That's my perspective as well. I don't care what race the person is. To me, it is a complete nonfactor.

I hate to be the wet blanket on this whole issue, but this issue isn't worth giving up all we would give up if we voted Pomeroy out of office. Pomeroy, as it stands right now, has a LOT of seniority in the House. With that comes leadership positions. If we vote him out, his replacement may vote yes on this bill but he'll do so from a very junior position. We won't have a strong voice on the Ways and Means Committee at all. And, frankly, Earl's seat is based upon things unrelated to education: mainly agricultural stuff. It sucks to be sure, but I think if ND pulls a SD, ND will come out the loser in this deal even if this bill we want so dearly passes.

That's ok, it's not nearly as embarrassing as ESPN posting it around when I posted my quoted message, then forgetting that they posted it and reposted it thinking it is new news. Maybe ESPN means "Entirely Stupid Productions Network"

That's why I can't wait for him to suit up for the Lincoln Stars. Though being the top scorer or an award winner doesn't necessarily make you a great collegiate player either, it will really give an impression as to what this kid is really all about. Sioux-Hab-It is right, though. F-M Jets had a player last season named Phil Fox who was a real scorer in the NAHL. He got picked up into the USHL and didn't last a full season before returning to the NAHL (or perhaps he left in the middle of the NAHL for the USHL and then returned to the Jets, but that would seem odd). His game didn't really translate between leagues. Phil still ended up getting a DI scholarship to some college out east (Quinwhimpiac?), so perhaps he'll pan out in that league. Another player who made the transition was Brock Bradford, who did pretty well for himself in the BCHL, and didn't do too badly in the USHL despite not having nearly the amount of offensive numbers they all thought he would (some speculate that cost him in the NHL draft). Where does Jason wind up in all of this? Who knows, but I'd love to find out!

Beat ya by a little there, AZSioux

He has just as much offensive potential under the LeMaire system as anyone else

Sterling- Hmmmm I may go more with replacing Bishop with Vandevelde rather than Miller unless both Bishop and Vande outplay him. It's an interesting situation to be in: As I see it, the upsides are: Miller: experience (as it were), stickhandling Vandevelde: Size, work ethic Bishop: Speeeeeeeeeeed Quick clarifications: I do know that Miller didn't play a lot last year, but he has more games at the DI level under his belt than both Bishop and Vande combined. Second, I didn't list offensive potential behind any of them because they all hold that as an asset.

He's sent his fair share of Shattuck boys our way. Well, him and JP, but still... I don't think what school you went to should really matter. And if Tony Hrkac is already an assistant coach with the AHL Milwaukee Admirals, I'm not sure that he'd relocate to take a similar job in an Amateur league, alma mater or not. It isn't too common where a coach from a higher level of hockey takes on a similar or lesser job at a lesser level.

If "on occasion" is "whenever Vanek is mentioned" then you're absolutely correct. (To be fair, my statement doesn't really hold water on SS.com. It's more true for USCHO.com and maybe GPL)

I thought he meant the Degrees that come in Anti-Persperent/Deoderants.....

Is that the quote from that Air Force Academy football coach? Trust me, race has nothing to do with athleticism and speed. It all has to do with God given gifts. Tim Dwight is pretty fast and he's white. Tony Gonzalez is Latino and he's pretty darn athletic.

Alexander, if true, made the decision for what is best for him. He was never going to be a solid every game starter, so why sit it out? He will now be a big dog in a small pond and he'll more than likely play every game and a bigger role. In my opinion, good luck to him.

My thoughts were more like... "Here we go again..."

Didn't stop Dahl

I'm sure we'll see plenty of line combos the first half the of the year. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Fabian makes an appearance on the powerplay. Camping out in front of the net is something we need in the powerplay and Fabian can do it. However, Fabians main asset is his defensive play. He's solid in the corners, solid on the forecheck, and solid in the defensive zone. He is the captain, if you will, of the grinding line, if you ask me. This isn't a knock on Fabian as I feel it is just as important to have a line that can shut down the oppoent's scoring lines as it is to have a scoring line that can exploit the opponent.

I think recruiting should be a major criteria for Hak's associate. That's why I immediately went to Steve Johnson in my first post. He's the head coach (and GM?) of the Lincoln Stars currently and is really in the know when it comes to juniors and evaluating that kind of talent. I think his coaching would translate well to the WCHA. I like the suggestion of Ludwig. Here's a darkhorse: Tom Ward (I think that's his name)... or whoever it is that is the head varsity hockey coach at SSM. Not as polished of a resume' as those mentioned above, but again, he's got the know when it comes to recruits. There's a bunch of other coaches I think would make good associates, but I don't think they'll either apply or get the job (like the head coach of the DIII St. Johns team... Harrington? or Hastings or whatever his name is that is the head coach of either Sioux City or Sioux Falls of the USHL) What about Tony Hrkac?

Nothing stated at the DIII version of Heisenberg's site. What is somewhat of interest is that UW River Falls (A D3 school obviously) has recieved a commitment from former (I guess) UMD recruit Mitch Kerns.

Exactly. IMO, Potts was forced out because he refused to be NDSU's lapdog. Potts had the entire state to worry over, as there are a lot of Universities and Colleges in the state that need help (restructuring or otherwise) more than NDSU and Chapman "did his job" in forcing out the opposition. I hear from an NDSU professor, that the guy that will replace Potts is handpicked by Chapman. So, if I were Kupchella, or the presidents of any other University or College in ND, I'd be very worried about asking anything from the SBoHE from now on. I mean, it would obviously have to coincide with whatever NDSU wants. This whole thing is a mess. And whomever said that those who colluded behind the scenes should resign is correct as well.