siouxfan512

Hard to say we will have a down year though. Yes, we will lose some players after this year, but we really don't know how many, or who. Seniors obviously. Ladue maybe. Maybe a few others. But we have seen this in the past. We also have a top 10 draft pick coming in to add to the scoring. Our defensive system has been very strong, and I don't see that system changing. Lets not forget that goalie situation we were all concerned about at the beginning of the season. That seems to be pretty sound, and with young talent. Next year may be a little more of a test for Berry with some of players he is losing, but this year's team is a younger team, and is doing just fine.

I understand that they are young, and by no means am I saying they won't be good again, or that we will always be dominant. But there are some major problems going on with the U of M right now, problems that extend beyond just hockey. Not good for a program like this to be questioned about their development of players by NHL scouts. I realize they aren't that far removed from the championship game, but they have had plenty of down years over the last decade. A program like that should not miss the NCAA tourney as many times as they have. You may have a fluke year during a rebuild, but this has happened far too many times. Yeah they ran into a tough UMD team last year, but as I recall they didn't even compete. Someone needs to be held accountable, and I think it is time the U looks beyond Don Lucia.

Great quote from this article: "If a kid is going to Minnesota," says one NHL scout, "concerns are openly discussed in our rooms about how it might affect his development. If one of our players is heading to say, North Dakota or UMD or [Nebraska-Omaha], we are comfortable with them going to any of those places."

Good read. It really is sad to see what is happening there. I grew up a huge gopher fan, until I got to college. Not a fan of them now; but to see a program that was so highly touted fall to what they have become over the past few season is a shame. I would say the same thing if it happened to Michigan, BC, BU, etc. I think NHL scout quote, that you have a coach living of past accomplishments is very true. Lucia was a really good coach at one time. I think his style and game has gotten very stale over the past several year. He seems to recruit talent, but can't do much with it. He doesn't get his players to play gritty. We always hear our players by into the "sioux hockey" mentality. You just don't seem to get that from the guys in MN; at least not to the degree that you did in the past. Big 10 was also a huge downfall, though I'm not sure why. MN gets plenty of talent, and seems to play lesser competition that they did in the WCHA, but still can't seem to win consistently. As much as I always want to beat the gophers, I hope they get their program back on track, because its much more fun to have a rivalry game against good competition that a program on a downward spiral.

Wow, Goofers are up to #7 in the USCHO polls this week! ..... oh that 7 isn't their ranking, just the number of votes they received? oh, sorry gopher fans. What the hell has happened you you guys? hahahah

good grief, I hope not. Although, really, why would you want to go play for that dumpster fire of a school right now. Basketball - Complete Mess Football - Maybe Claeys will get it done, but I really don't think he is the right guy for the job. At least he can tout winning a high level bowl game over elite competition Hockey - This one is pitiful. I grew up a goofer fan until I came to UND and saw the light. Can't stand gopher hockey, but at the same time it is tough to see just how far they have fallen. When we play next year, I don't want to see us dominate a crappy unranked team; I want to see us dominate a mid to high level ranked gopher squad. That was half the fun in the past. Their program has just become pitiful. Can't compete in the Little 6 Conference and can't even retain a lot of their MN recruits. Good Bye Don, I think your time is up. Mr Holm - If you are reading, UND is your future

When does the coaching staff usually confirm departures? I'm just surprised that we haven't heard anything concrete on this yet.

He did what he always does ... claims he knows something big, but never shares what it is. Then when some big fact comes out he can claim that was what he was talking about. Can't even count how many times we have heard this in this past. Hey gfhockey, you want people to take you seriously and not give you crap ... if you are going to make a big deal about knowing something, then share your "fact" in a clear statement and make your point. Accept when your wrong and others will accept when you're right. What people hate, is making vague statement that could be taken 10 different ways, then being asked for apologies weeks or months after the fact because you now have a basis for how those statements should have been interpreted. Maybe you did know something about who was and was not leaving, but you shared nothing that would ever warrant an apology on this message board. As I mentioned earlier, we need to also keep any and all departures in perspective. This is a team sport and UND will be fine. We have a QB who is making strides, a group of receivers that are improving, and has even more talent coming in, an all american running back, a great defense. Excited to see what this team will do next year. Go Sioux!

Sounds like 1 kids, didn't want to be in school. Would rather join the work force and pursue other oppourtunities. Sounds like the other kid may be leaving to spend more time with family and his kid. I can't confirm if that is the reason or not. Regardless, neither of these are bad reason. Its just unfortunate. I'm sure this won't become a regular thing. Time to fill out the roster, develop talent, move forward and compete.

I wonder if the coaches have looked for any FBS dropdowns or JUCOs transfers to fill out the line.

I've been holding off commenting on the Grady rumor. Haven't quite been sure how to respond to it. Initially, very disappointing as he was going to be a tremendous player, with sincere NFL potential. As far as a player being irreplaceable, Grady is as close to being irreplaceable at the FCS level as you might get. We will likely never pull in another OL player who is that dominant as a freshman. Doesn't mean our O Line won't fill out nicely. The big concern for me is, how will this affect Santiago's run game, and his ability to hit the home run ball. I'm not quite as worried about QB protection, only because Studs is pretty mobile. QB protection is still a concern, but I'm sure the coaches will be working these guys really hard to be ready for next fall. As for Santiago, he is so shifty, that I would expect to see him running behind a full back quite a bit, especially early in the season; extra protection and still looking for holes to hit. If confirmed, Grady would be a huge loss, but we need to also keep it in perspective. This is a team sport and UND will be fine. We have a QB who is making strides, a receiving corp is improving, and has even more talent coming in, an all american running back, a great defense. Excited to see what this team will do next year. Go Sioux!

This thread is ridiculous. Let's stop bashing Hammer, he really doesn't need to have any special allegiance to UND; this is his job. Hammeter has done a great job in his time here. At this point I'm just interested in knowing who will take over for football and hockey.

hahahah and Boom goes the dynamite!

We welcome you and your son to UND! Great place, great people and definitely a program that is moving in the right directions. Looking forward to seeing your boy play.

Wentz may be starting, but I would expect to see a decent dose of Stick as well. Both QBs are certainly capable, and Wentz is stud. Hopefully it is a good game tomorrow.

shhh, stop spreading lies.

I can confirm that there is a rumor out there about another rumor, which may turn out not to be just a rumor at all.

Well, hopefully he is a good coach that is looking out for the best interest of the player, over begrudging an old rival.

Don't forget Vashon Tucker. Not sure how he progressed this year, but I believe he had several FBS offers. Man am I excited for this program, and next season already. I was joking with my buddy yesterday, who is a bison fan, about how it must be really nice to still be watching football rather than recruiting. We'll get there.

Per SFI ... New commit from Alabama, Torrey Hunt DB/WR http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2797492/torrey-hunt

Can we name the Hawk mascot Sue? Have it wearing a Nodak t-shirt? AND Have a Teddy Roosevelt type mustache? ..... maybe even have it carrying a Flickertail and gazing at the North Star or a Sundog?

Is there any information out there, or potential rumors at FBS dropdowns that we might see this spring? Also though I read something from SFI about expecting to bring in a scholarship QB.

Definitely can't overlook anyone in hockey. I'm sure Berry will have these guys ready, and hopefully they aren't too sluggish coming out of the holidays. My brother saw these guys play in the Mankato a few weeks back, and it sounds like their goalie played pretty solid. UND needs get a few early on Friday. The longer you let a team like this keep it close, the more their confidence builds. Don't let them feel like they have a chance to win.

In addition to the coaching situation, I'd like to get some opinions on who people expect to be big contributors next year as Redshirt Freshman. Carl Engwall - Lakeville kid. Lots of positive things said after he was recruited, not sure how he looked last season though. Mason Bennett - Sounded like he was hurt most of last season. Anyone know what type of injury? I remember this being a pretty good recruit out of Canada. Tim Dulin - I've only hear good things. Sounds like he has put in a lot of hard work and added some weight. Hopefully a go to guy for Studs. Keelan Poole - Had't heard much about Keelan last year. I feel like this was a pretty good recruit to land, but I don't remember too many details. Vashon Tucker - Didn't hear to much about him last year, but I remember that this was a nice recruit to land. Had some FBS offers. Jade Lawrence - Heard he was a really good at Moorhead. Do we expect him to play much next season, or more so in a year or two. Austin Gordon - Heard a lot of positive things about this kid from the past year. With a deep RB group, its hard to say how much he will see the field, so he'll have to make the most of limited time. I'm sure if he impresses the coaches, they will find a way to get him in the mix. Also, with Colton Boas gone, who is projected to play Center?

I agree Dale Lennon is highly unlikely, but you also have to look at possible ulterior motives. I know his name has been thrown around as a potential future AD. Maybe taking a job back here would just be a step in that direction. Tough to know what the guys is thinking he wants to do. He could take a HC job at a lower level. Take a year off, and then see what jobs are open. Bottom line is the guy has some flexibility as to what he can do going forward. If It were Dale, I would be extremely pleased. Regardless of who they do hire, it sounds like they will get someone with quite a bit of experience. Add that into the mix with some of our current young players and our incoming recruits, and we should continue to see some nice improvement.