jbvollmer

Even with the Sioux playing this weekend, I got to see a bit of Blues Hockey. Oshie's really making an impact here and quickly becoming a fan favorite with highlight-reel goals and huge hits (like the one on Rick Nash) as noted on Goon's blog. Great season Sioux!

Zombo over Parent. Can't dismiss Kidder.....

OMG!!!! Most programs would KILL to have 4 Frozen Four trips in 4 years, a Hobey Baker winner and 2 Hobey finalists. Put down the crack pipe, please.......

I was suprised by the lack of physical play during the first two periods by the defensive corps. It seemed as if the Badgers were standing guys up at the blue line while we were content allow forwards to get to the circles before any contact. I do agree if they play the next 6 periods like that last 1, we'll be fine. Michigan and Notre Dame are both highly overrated and BC looked very, very slow and had problems moving the puck in their win against Miami.

Hickman looks interesting..... Having a legit D1 program 90+ miles from the closest major metro creates issues in regards to revenue and recruiting. Mizzou's ability to pull in revenue AND fill their respective venues speaks for itself. We've lived in MO for 5 years, and it's amazing how much revenue the Tigers can pull in from their alumni.

So would you after the last couple of seasons....... If you haven't already noticed, the Blues organization is really big on WCHA players. Oshie, Johnson and Backes are a prime examples.......Plus, Ben Bishop (G, Maine) is waiting in the wings as well... From what I've heard around town, this trend has been driven by Al MacInnis joining the front office of the Blues. It seems that Al has really been impressed with college player development both on an off the ice, and it seems that Davidson and Murray agree. (It also doesn't hurt that Andy's kid played @ SSM and for the Sioux as well). Hey, if they keep this up, we might even get back to the playoffs!!!!

Funny, everyone here said the same thing about all of you!!! I've lived here about 4 years, and everyone I've ran into since the F4 commented about how knowledgeable the Sioux fans are! They have also commented about the pep band and the logo on the uniforms (How do you get by with that?) Remember, Chief Iliniwek no longer exists at the U of I. I didn't run into the name tag person @ Al's, but had a great time with some people from Fisher, MN. Hopefully, our paths will all meet again in Denver next year!!!

Just returned from Scottrade seeing the STL Bandits play USA U-18. Hak was sitting a couple of rows behind us watching the game. We approached him and stated that I was a North Dakota alum and a North Dakota native. He graciously signed my 12-year old's hat after talking about the team and the journey to STL. Both of my kids stated how nice of a guy he is..... :-) BTW, he plans on being here all week!!!!!! LET'S GO SIOUX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hooters at Stadium Village (next to the new Busch) or Charlie Gitto's (1 block north of Busch). Both are a good time. Count me in!!!

Ooops, my bad. Yes, it is US 63. Not a bad drive at all..... and once you hit Waterloo it's all 4 lane (exception is 20 miles in Missouri which is under construction: Don't worry though, they are building next to (not over) the existing highway. Yes: My wheels did touch the ground (if you call driving 90 in South Dakota touching the ground!!!

The east side and North STL is great if you want to get shot at. Remember the STL scene is Vacation? It was shot in North St Louis..... Here's my recommendations after living here for 4 years: 1) Fast Eddy's in Alton, IL (just across the river on US 67). Ice Cold Beer and good, cheap food (nothing fancy). Kinda like the Red Pepper, only with ice cold beer. 2) Any Italian restaurant on "The Hill", which is located southwest of Scottrade (I-44 and Kingshighway). No chains, good, family recipe Italian. Cunneto's is highly recommended (5453 Magnolia) 3) Eau Bar/ Eau Cafe located in the Chase Park Plaza (212 Kingshighway) 4) Blueberry Hill . Chuck Berry's restaurant (6504 Delmar) 5) Pujol's 5 (Located in Westport Plaza, I-270 and Page) (Yes, it's Albert's place)..... 6) Trainwreck Saloon (Maplewood and Westport) Depending upon the part of town you are in, there are easy ways to get around (Including the metrolink (STL's light rail)) if you are in Clayton, Central West End, Forest Park or Clayton. LET'S GO SIOUX

For you in Rochester, take 67 down to Waterloo IA, then 380 to Iowa City and IA 27 Across in MO. From there, just follow US 61 into STL. Take it all the time. For you in GF, either I-29 or Via the Twin Cities south to Mason City/IA to IA 27 is about the same. The I 29 route is boring as hell (take it from a guy who drives it way to often). I made it in 12 hours this summer, stopping every 3-4 (KC/Omaha/Sioux Falls and Grand Forks). Remember: higher speed limits in ND and SD.

As a North Dakota native, a lifelong Sioux fan, former A-B employee, and a current STL resident, I can state the the tour is a Blast!!!! Only two per customer, but if you have a couple of people who don't drink...... Also, if you are into microbrews, the Schlafly Bottleworks is short distance away (on Manchester Ave). Al Hrbosky's is a great hangout as well, and don't forget Hooters next to Busch Stadium. I can't wait to see the all the Sioux Colors in STL!!!!!

Bottineau? Willow City!!! (Bottineau suburb). 87 Graduate of UND! After Minneapolis and Bismarck, now in St Louis, future home of TJ Oshie (thank god!!) and hoping for a frozen four appearance. Hey, if they do, everyone do the tour at the A-B brewery as a pre-game!!! Sioux RULE!!!!!

Agreed. The level of competition, especially at tournaments is amazing. You are truly seeing the future of hockey. Plus, the level of coaching is, to quote Jim Rome, "phenonemal". My 92' birth year son plays fro the STL AAA Blues. The organization is directed and coached by several ex-NHL'ers (Basil McRae, Al MacInnis, Jeff Brown). I've seen the same structure put into many AAA organizations (i.e.: 92 Mission is coached by xNHL'er Gino Cavellini) and it's amazing how the kids progress.

Agreed. Add coaching as well. Once you get out of the eastern part of the state, youth coaching drops off. I'm not saying there are not qualified coaches in the west, but the west doesn't have the depth needed to develop the same numbers (per capita) of Minnesota. Most mite/squirt/pee-wee coaching are parents who may have never played high-school, yet alone DIII/DI hockey. I grew up in North Dakota playing bouncyball, I always had a coach with at least high-school and, in most cases, DIII or DII experience. It does help....

Funny..... I've often said the same here in STL. This past year, my 14 year old had the privledge of playing for Al MacInnis. Even in STL, youth hockey is big and heavily influenced by former pro's such as Al, Federko, Basil McRae, Jeff Brown and Zombo, as well as current Blues players Tkachuk, Jackman, and Mayers. You see them at the rinks with their kids and they also coach several teams (Al coached both of his older sons this past year). In Al's role with the Blues (post-retirement), he's responsible for checking on draft picks and prospects. Early in the season he made the trip go Grand Forks when the Sioux played the Gophers. He had only good things to say about the experience, especially about the coaching staff, players and facilities. Most of all, he stated how much excitement and energy was in the building during the series. Kinda cool to see a future hall-of-famer say such kind things about your school, not just in front of you but to NHL exec's

I'd have to agree with most: Archibald was unbelievable. Here's mine 1) Jim Archibald 2) Jason Blake 3) Bob Joyce 4) Mike Commadore 5) Matt Green Honorable Mentions: Scott Koberinski, Grant Paranica and Scotty Bower. All three great guys and worked their tails off on the 1987 team. Grant was truly a physical force on that team and, while Eddie got much of the press, Scott really set the tone in 1986 and 1985. (Really hated to see him pass away: Great guy!!) Plus, having Kobes on the bench as a "volunteer assistant" this year had to be a big help.

As a lifelong Sioux Fan and a St Louis resident - I agree. We're okay on defense with Backman/Jackman combination (as long as Barret stays healthy), but the Blues did have a hard time puttin' the biscuit in the basket this year.

I'd take a whole row as well. I'm doing my basement and the Mrs. says I get a whole room that's "mine to decorate". Dogs playing poker velvet, a couple of signed sticks, a framed Sioux Jersey signed by the Parise brothers and a WHOLE ROW of Winter Sports Center (yes, I'm giving my age) seats. I'd even drive from St Louis and pick them up. Don't worry: Wife's a huge Sioux fan as well. She'd appreciate the look. PS: Anyone remember the last Vikings game at the old Met? I remember people walking away with rows of seats.....

Favorite goal scorer...Zach Parise Favorite tough guy...Jim Archibald - hands down Favorite set up guy...Bob Joyce Favorite goalie...Jon Casey Favorite team...86/87 Sioux Favorite Sioux game ever attended..1987 @ the Old Ralph vs Minnesota. Sioux scored about 30 seconds in and the place went nuts. My brother and I were sitting up by the band and after that goal, about 1000 of the old Sioux plastic glasses, numerous beer cans and dozens of frozen rodents went onto the ice. Favorite play...way to many to remember. Favorite Comeback..I was in Mpls attending a gophers game in the mid 90's. Sioux were down by 3 and came back to win. I was sitting in front of Darby Hendricksons' grandmother and when the Sioux scored the tie-up goal, she hit me in the head with a poster (it was poster night). You could have heard a pin drop in that place. Favorite Current players...Oshie and Parise

Not bored..... just starved for hockey. When I was in Toronto in November, the paper stated that the A hockey teams in cities like London are drawing 9-10K per night. Same here in STL. The River Otters are pulling in probably double of what they did last year. Hell, my son's PeeWee team attendence numbers are even up One other note: The players aren't fairing much better. My son had Barrett Jackman on the ice with him tonight, working with the his team's defensemen. Jackman and my son's coach(s) are friends, so Barrett has been coming out and helping once in a while (he doesn't have much else going on right now). Plus Al McInnis is coaching his son's AAA team, former Blues tough-guys Tony Twist and Todd Ewen are coaching their son's PeeWee teams as well. Former Sioux goalie Aaron Vickar helped our association out during tryouts this year as well (plus he brought in his championship ring for all to see!!!) All of these guys are very approachable at the rink and truly care about the future of hockey. More reasons why hockey players are the best guys in professional sports

I remember those days as well. I was a student in the mid '80's. During intramurals the week before a MN or WI series, somebody would always sneak some sort of dead rodent in and hide it somewhere accessible during the game. Plus, it helped being buddies with the pep band. They were always able to sneak in with a "beverage" as well. One other note: Most players loved playing the old Ralph for those very reasons. No other arena had as much character as the old Ralph/WSC. Granted, I love those leather seats and cherry arm rests, but to get a "feel" of what college hockey truly is, give me a Halloween night game against Wisconsin or Minnesota in the old WSC any day!!!!!

Small world, isn't it. Saw the same thing here in St. Louis. Met a guy wearing a Sioux sweatshirt at one of by kids' hockey games. Talked to him for a bit, found out that his wife is an alumnus, and we grew up 20 miles apart. Also, huge #'s of Sioux fans in Toronto. The International Hockey Hall of Fame has mention of the Sioux (and yes, Gophers), plus has a display that pays homage to the ND High School Tornment with a program from the late 70's.