yzerman19

Krafty was a buddy of mine in school, and yes, Redwing77, you are correct he was born in ND, but he learned hockey in Moorhead. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten much of a shake in the NHL, despite being rookie of the year, all-star fastest skater, etc. in the AHL. Jason Blake actually spent his elementary school/early jr high years in GF-I played on his Pee Wee team. So he is more of a ND native than Krafty (in my opinion). I have never claimed that ND has the same quality of hockey/hockey player as MN at the prep level. Mike Peluso form UMD via Bismarck ND has played a couple games in the NHL, but anyway. Brett Hull does have a summer home on Island Lake in Duluth...I ran into him getting on a private jet at the St Paul airport two summers ago...very nice guy...he is definitely not a MN though. If having a summer place in MN counts, then I guess Paul Newman and Tom Cruise are MN too. The Shattuck factor is interesting, but I equate that program to the developmental team in Ann Arbor. Those kids are residents of a bus, not a state. I do like stealing players from under MN's nose. I remember talking to Nick Checho at a party in college (he hated Woog by the way) and he was telling me that Woog used to have players slated to wear the Maroon and Gold in Bantams. That is why the Gophs missed so many good college players, if you were a late bloomer or didn't get any exposure until you were an upperclassmen in prep, Woog wouldn't notice you. Good for us! Michigan and Mass continue to produce high level hockey players at the same rate as MN...regardless they can't compete with the canadian major jr ranks.

Calling MN the state of hockey is liking calling Manitoba the province of basketball. It is still their game up there. We just play it. Aside from Phil Housley and Neil Broten MN hasn't produced a top end NHLer for a while. Langenbrunner (who i happen to know) even left MN prep hockey to play in the O, because he knew that Canada was the best route to the show. As much as we all love college puck, for most of these guys it is the beginning of the end. A couple of years in the East Coast league or the AHL and then it's over. Top end American born players in the show right now...Modano, Roenick, LeClair, Tkachuk, Amonte...hmmm...none hail from MN. MN does produce the occassional grinder...but not as good as ND...ala the RP!

I vote for 7-11 line...it kind of reminds me of the old Red Army KLM line...time for tea with Ms. McGill.

I am UMN alum, but a GF native and die hard Sioux hockey fan. Having lived in the TC for 10 years, the biggest thing I can't stand about Gopher fans is their unwarranted arrogance. The whole state of hockey crap and all of that blah, blah, blah. The avg Gopher hockey fan honestly believes that it is everyone's dream to wear the maroon and gold, that MN is the homeland og hockey and that MN is the only place where junior level hockey exists. They have obviously never heard of the O the W or the Q. Anyway, it was great to watch the POI fall apart. They think that they are despised because they are the best, when actually it is because they have stupid fans. Instead of being happy to have an elite college hockey program they have to act like they are the only college hockey program. You just can't reason with them...7>5, or three years ago...7>3 and they respond with some stupidity about 25 year old candians or padded stat sheets. Anyone who makes that comment is obviously recycling garbage from an hockey ignoramous. Has UND ever had an NCAA rules violation? I certainly can't think of one. Anyone remember the CLem Haskins deal...you don't think any UMN hockey players got the same kind of help do you? No, never. Gopher fans don't listen to facts, they listen to Woog and Mozzaco (sp) and Sid. I just needed to sound off a little and remind any Gopher fans that their team is terrible. A little school with a much smaller enrollment and a much smaller balance sheet beats them repeatedly at the game which they pretend to own. Parise for President! He isn't on the scoring sheet as much so far this year only 9 points in 7 games (only) , but he is impressing the hell out of me in his play away from the puck. He isn't forcing things, he is just making it happen, and realizing that when he can't, he can still draw a crowd so that BM and BB can do the damage! His backcheck and take down of Vanek in the slot was one for the ages, especially from an offensive force like he is.

Jim Archibald-he could score and he could fight and he was funny...the ultimate fan favorite. Consideration also has to go to guys like Phil Sykes and Doug Smail and Craig Ludwig and Scott Sandelin.

Has there been an official disclosure of his injury? He must've had an MRI read by now. This weekend's series is going to probably end up being very important for NCAA seedings! If Blaiser does scratch him against BC, this just adds to my opinion that Blais is one heck of a hockey coach. He cares more about the health and future career of his player than he does about winning a very big series. I guarantee you that Zach is telling him he can go, but Blais won't let him. Gophers are overrated!!!