siouxfan512

When will NIL become contingent upon signing a contract to stay in college for more than a year. Nothing would surprise me at this point.

Even just location. Depending on where a kid is from, he may prefer the options of a big school or city rather than Grand Forks. A town which has charm for some of us who lived there, but isn't necessarily what some kids want, they may prefer a Minneapolis, Denver, Boston, Tempe, Etc. You have to be solid coach/recruiter to really sell the program positives to outweigh things that may not be as appealing to a kid (and their advisors). I think Dane and Bryn are doing all they can and have to work against the decline we saw over the past 8 years. Recent program success IS NOT a factor we can sell at the moment. Hopefully in the next year or two that trajectory changes. Then there is the money factor, and there is only so much that can be done there. I think we would all love to see some stud players come in, even if it was only for a year or two. I think back to getting to watch Oshie and Toews on the same line ... and then that other kid that won the Hobey! Having the star players doesn't always translate to a Natty, but you're still going to bring them in if you can. I'll just sit back and watch and see what the staff can accomplish over the next few seasons. Hopefully it is a more entertaining product that we have been getting used to.

Best of luck to Hobie. Hopefully a fresh start is good for him, and he finds success.

Agreed. Lots of potential with the guys they are getting. Love the transfer additions as well, but would like to see us land some more, especially on defense. Recruits help build the future, and they have had a great start, but with the portal available, I would like to see us jump in an compete right away.

Fair point. I just don't think of that as something that would be overly distracting if the decision was already made, but maybe so.

Don't have to be an asshole about it, but glad your college hockey knowledge makes you feel superior. I come to a college sport forum for my hockey new ... it's pretty low priority overall. I'll keep my focus on actual new and my kids sport, but again, appreciate the jackassery.

Then what is he waiting for? If it is a done deal with Michigan, why wait? It should have nothing to do with him still playing in the playoffs. Not sure why that would affect an announcement/commitment.

I get the rule ... it just seems like the name used to work its way into the forums quicker. Again ... maybe I'm just impatient.

So who was it? I feel like it has been taking longer this year to find out the player after the coaches make an announcement. Maybe I'm just impatient.

I'll take the easy way out on this one .... That is Bryn's job, not mine. If everything comes down to cash ... then college hockey is over. I'd like to think UND and our hockey program has some other selling points.

Glad to see this ... now could we please land Mckenna ... I don't want to hear any more about Michigan. If NIL has to be a thing ... "Pay that man his money!" Seems like the kind of game changing player that (with all these other additions) could truly make us a top contender next year.

name?

He had his chances. Neither of our goalies exactly jumped out or stole any games. I'm hardly going to feel bad for Hobie ... sucks for him, but if you want the job ... earn it.

True, don't know what is going on during practice, but he certainly had plenty of opportunities during games to own the job. Showed flashes, but certainly never dominated or did anything to push TJ out. Might do great somewhere else ... might do great under a new coach .... I wish him the best, but its not like he wasn't given a look. I'll be interested to see where Huson goes. Wasn't he going to go to Omaha before switching to UND?

Completely agree. He doesn't seem to just be going along with the status quo. He is clearly tailoring it to be what he feels we need to compete. Can't fix all problems in a season, but you can bridge the gap and give yourself time to recruit and build a system. -IMO there will be a better effort on recruiting. Thats from a combo of what we were hearing about Berry's efforts in that department and the addition of Chyzk. -Hopefully transfers will dwindle over the next year or two to only include very limited additions year in and year out. -Hoping we can get back to producing some decent goalies that we have for multiple years rather than depending on transfer consistently. Maybe Jackson's effort doesn't pan out, but I'd rather see us try something new and fail, rather than continue the slow decline and mediocrity we have witnessed over the past 8 years.

Simple solution if you don't want to be a backup ... play better. Too many of these kids feel they are owed playing time rather than earning it.

For what its worth, Cooper Simpson sounds like a similar type of player. I was talking to his HS coach (as he coaches my kid's AAA team) the other week and he certainly had great things to say about Cooper...had just talked to him the night before and said everything with UND was still on track despite coaching changes. Skill player, fast player, but will probably need someone who can get him the puck. Excited to see what this kid brings!

Just had this conversation with a buddy yesterday who is a gopher fan and he said the same thing. Gopher always pull in high end skill, but never get the guys who are willing to go into the corners and do the dirty work. Even Alex Bump was the same mold, great player, but if you have a whole team full of that, you will struggle. Need some role players, need some kids who will stick around.

So when does Mckenna commit?🙂 Obviously that is a hope and a prayer at this point, but like that we landed a guy we wanted. Hopefully we see another couple guys soon. A few key additions, some development, a goalie and a coaching change. Hopefully this ship turns around quickly. College rebuilds can be very quick with the right guy in charge. Hope this works out!!

cryptic?

Will make it even sweeter when he announces he is coming to UND. Snubbing Hockey East is up there with snubbing the Gophers.

hopefully coaches are communicating, but we have definitely seen RB injuries in the past. You need a full stable! Guys can get hurt quickly at that position **knock on wood**

Is that just for people to enter the portal? I assume once they are in the portal then commit anytime them want. Correct?

Just messin with you!

You sure you weren't just talking to yourself in the mirror again? JK!