PHE

HKNTSMN, I agree with your assessment of the Lakeville kids. I was at the sectional final last week for their game against Rochester Century. Unbelievable game.....5 OTs and the Lakeville goalie had 78 saves. Wong and Davis were outstanding. Lots of good hockey talent in SE MN....I hope it flows to Grand Forks.

I'm wondering what the tie-breakers are if the Sioux and Gophers tie for third. I'm sure the first tie-breaker is head-to-head (even up at 1-1) but what is the next one? Anybody know?

Does anyone know which Mankato radio station broadcasts the Mavs' games and if it reaches the Twin Cities? I won't have internet access this weekend; I'm hoping to pick up the game via good 'ol fashion radio waves.

dagies, Isn't the number of D men for next year at 8? We currently have seven, add Smaby and Dahlen, subtract Leinweber.

I was trying to determine which Sioux player thus far has furthest exceeded my expectations. The list got to be pretty long.....Bochenski, Parise, Lundbohm all deserve a spot on the list but my three finalists were all defensemen: Matt Greene-He has adapted to the WCHA quicker than I thought he would. He made the World Junior Cup team despite (1) not scoring a point (2) taking numerous "dumb" penalties (quote Dean Blais) and (3) not getting an invite to the WJC pre-season tryout camp. Andy Schneider-leads the team in +/- with a +19 (tied with Lundbohm). He's taken a huge step offensively which is just what the team needed. David Hale-I think we all expected DH to improve over last year but he has gone way past my expectations. We've heard a lot about team chemistry this year and I think the captains have much to do with that. A few weeks ago I heard Blais say that in the coaches' scoring system Hale was at the Parise level. After the Friday night Mankato game one of the players was asked about Hale's fight and he said that as DH was skating off the ice he went along the Sioux bench and said something to the effect of "You guys take it from here." IMO this is, without a doubt, David Hale's team. Thoughts???

Kellan Briggs from Colorado Springs. Plays for Sioux Falls I believe. Do I get an A Hammy?

but if anyone wants first-hand reports on Sioux recruits Porter and Lammy, just let me know. Your friendly Lincoln, Nebraska Sioux Fan, Craig amn, I curious how Porter has been looking. His -7 plus/minus rating is ugly, especially on such a good team. Has he been playing center or wing? What will he bring to the Sioux next year?

I made a visit to Faribault a week ago and took in a SSM game. It was fun to watch the two Sioux recruits and to also get a look at "boy wonder" Sidney Crosby. Here are my impressions: Drew Stafford-He centers the second line. At 6' 2" and 200 lbs he has good size and isn't afraid to dish out the hits. Average skating ability but has good hands. Very good playmaker. He'll bring something Sioux haven't seen much of as of late: a big centerman. He's very young (he turned 17 two weeks ago) but has some big upside. I wouldn't be surprised if he spends next year in the USHL but he'll be an impact player in the WCHA at some point. Matt Smaby-Sioux fans are going to love this guy. He's listed at 6' 4"" and 205 lbs and doesn't hold back when there's a chance to make a hit. He'll fit right in with the current group of UND defensemen...big and defensive-minded. He's plays the point on the power play and moves the puck well. I haven't seen Matt Greene play but I'm guessing that Smaby is very much like him. Big, tough and nasty. As long as he plays smart he'll be a regular in the D rotation next year. A few thoughts on SSM in general: This year's team is a definite step down from last year's (not unexpected) but they are still very good. Two of their top players are sophomores, Crosby and Jack Johnson. Johnson is 15 and has already committed to Michigan for 2005. Crosby is extraordinary. He just turned 15 a couple of months ago but he is clearly ahead of everyone else on the ice. His skills are incredible but the one that I noticed the most is that he has an explosive first step. He reminds me of Parise in that he always seems to get to the puck before anyone else and he does it so effortlessly. Fun to watch. One other player on SSM to watch is Ken Rowe. He's 5' 11" and 185 lbs and reminds me of Spiewak. Very fast and goes all out on every shift. He scored a hat trick the night I saw him. He'll likely put up some big numbers this year since he skates on Crosby's line. As far as I know he hasn't he made a D1 commitment yet. If you have a chance to check out SSM this year I would recommend it. For those of you in the GF area they are playing in Crookston in early January.

Wow.... what a difference a year makes. A year ago at this time Stafford was, as a junior, playing on SSM's Midget AA team (equivilent of the Prep JV) and now, a year later, he's comitting to a top D1 school. Apparently he's made some big strides in the last 12 months...going from AA to AAA to the Select 17 to verballing to UND. I wouldn't be surprised if he spends a year in the juniors next year. He's very young and a year in the USHL might be good from a development standpoint (ala Mr. Porter.) I'm planning on going to some SSM games over the next two weekends so I'll check on Stafford and Smaby (and Crosby just for fun).

Sorry Sprig, I'm sticking with my prediction of a team-leading 48 point year for Parise. LET THE "ZACH ATTACK" BEGIN!!!

This week's Let's Play Hockey magazine had a nice article on Craig Ludwig. This weekend he was elected into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame. According to the article, "Ludwig, a walk-on at the University of North Dakota, won a spot on the team and was a member of the Fighting Sioux National Championship teams in his freshman and junior years. As a junior, Ludwig was named the University of North Dakota's Most Valuable Player....Ludwig is well known for his genersotiy and willingness to share his success with various groups to help them benefit financially. Following Montreal's Stanley Cup win in 1986, Ludwig arranged for the Canadiens to play a celebrity softball game in Eagle River, WI (hometown) for the benefit of Special Olympics and the Eagle River Recreation Association...Even after his retirement, Ludwig has done much throughtout his career to bring credit to his sport, his community and himself by giving back through coaching and many charitable acts connected directly and indirectly to the sport of ice hockey, and truly epitomizes all that is good in Wisconsin hockey" Congrats Mr. Ludwig!!!

Sicatoka, Sorry for the unclear message. I wasn't referring to Parise; rather I was trying to determine if you and I were thinking of the same player when you mentioned that the "son" played in the USHL.

SockeyeSioux, Thanks for a great post. Its nice to hear that the upperclassmen are making sure that everyone has the proper attitude on the eve of a new season. Also nice to hear that Parise is making noise. Its great to read the posts from some of the parents, namely SockeyeSioux, Speez and HKNTSMN (sorry if I missed any). Thanks for giving us some of the "inside" scoop!

Here's a little schedule symmetry: Since we begin the season in Buffalo, how about ending it in Buffalo!

I'm probably the biggest Parise-backer on this board so you'll need to take my 48 points with a grain of salt, but I honestly think he'll be a difference-maker right away. His skills are excellent, his effort is 110% and he's tough (in the games I saw him play last year let me tell you that he ain't no choir boy). His height and weight might be a little "below average" right now but I firmly believe his ability will make up for that. You have him for 32 points this year. How about meeting halfway and "settling" for 40?

OETKB, Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word "buried" in describing Parise's survival along the boards. As I've posted in other threads, he's tough enough to take care of himself; I'm more worried about other teams' goons taking runs at him. (In my lineup guesstimate I had Ryan Hale on his right wing for protection.) I also think the listing of 5'10" and 180 lbs is a little high. I just don't see him playing a wing. His strengths (speed, vision, puck-handling) translate into a centerman; hopefully one with Jeff Panzer-like numbers. You might be right, Blais may put him on a wing for a while. Truth is, I don't care where he plays, I'm just going to enjoy watching him rack up 48 points this year!

OETKB, Thanks for opening up this can of worms again. One question on your second line: who will be going into the corners? Bo isn't a grinder, Parise would get buried and Whitey Jr. will be your centerman. How about moving Parise to center the first line and put Notes on LW for the second line? I also think that McMahon will be higher than the fourth line; it's tough, though, because Genoway is such a wild card.

As a resident of Savage and a follower of Burnsville hockey, I can tell you that Dan Boeser is highly thought of in this area. He is a perfect example of just how far a person can go if they work hard. A couple of weeks ago my son was in a hockey clinic that, according to the registration pamphlets, included Dan Boeser as one of the instructors. I was disappointed when he was a no show. Now I know why. Best of luck, Dan!

OETKB, Since you asked I'll give it a go and predict the lines. (But only because you were the thread starter) Once we roll into the final couple of months of the season, I think we'll see: Spiewak-Parise-Hale Notermann-Fournier-Bochenski Lundbohm-McMahon-Masson Genoway-Fylling-Canady Prpch-Palmo-Connelly

I won't try to guess the lineups that Blaiser will use. Rather I'll offer up my predictions on post-season awards for the 2002-2003 Sioux team: Craig Ludwig Award (Goalie's Best Friend)-Matt Jones. Jones is the guy I want on the ice when we have a one goal lead and with only a minute left in the game. I was very impressed at the strides he made from the beginning of last year to the final few series. He may not be as defensively strong as Mr. Ludwig nor as offensively gifted as Mr. Roche, but he'll be our top defenseman for the next few years. He'll be the next Scott Sandelin, which is a very good thing. Tim Skarperud Award (Biggest increase in production)-James Masson for goals and Chris Fournier for assists. Until Bryan Lundbohm decided to turn pro after the 2000-2001 season, Masson was scheduled to play one more year in Sioux Falls. After a year of learning the ways of the WCHA Masson is ready to start scoring some goals. I think he goes from 5 to 18. Chris Fournier's production will increase when he's paired with Bochenski. They worked together well at the end of last season and hopefully that will carry over. I say he goes from 9 assists to 22. Cary Eades Award (Blood & Guts, Heart & Soul)-Jason Notermann. A definite leader of this year's team, Notes plays all out every time he's on the ice. The younger guys should watch and learn. Hopefully he hits more net than iron this year. Should wear a "C". Landon Wilson Award (Most Likely to End Up in Coaches's Doghouse)-Brandon Bochenski. I don't know why but it just feels like he's going to have an off year. Maybe it's the dumb penalties, maybe it's the increased focus he'll see from the opposition, maybe it the lack of hustle on the defensive end. Something tells me that Blaiser will sit him a few games. I hope I'm wrong. Doug Smail Award (Speed and Hustle)-Kevin Spiewak. Spiewak's strengths are two of my favorite qualities in a college hockey player-lightning speed and 110% effort every shift. I love watching him. Speed-Wack will lead the forwards in ice time and will wear a "C". Team MVP. Jim Archibald Award (PIM Leader, what else?)-David Hale. Hale replaces Schneider as the PIM leader. I'm not sure what happened last year but clearly he was not the same guy we saw as a freshman. Here's hoping that all of last year's demons (personal issues, injuries, illnesses, etc) are gone. I'm looking for DH to have a MONSTER year. Troy Murray Award (Freshman Leads the Team in Scoring)-Zach Parise. Am I getting too caught up in all the hype? Perhaps. Is he's too short, too inexperienced, too much a target, too light? Maybe. I do know that the kid is special. I've read, heard and seen enough that convinces me that he will be a difference-maker early on. Contrary to most prognostications, I think he'll produce right away and by Christmas he'll be centering the first line. I don't see Blaiser holding him back in order to ease his transition to WCHA-style hockey. He won't come anywhere close to Troy Murray's freshman total of 78 pts but he'll get 48 and lead the team. Did I miss any awards?

Speaking of Virg Foss, I recall that a while back (10-15 years ago?) the Sioux hockey players blackballed Virg for something he wrote about the team. If memory serves, none of the players spoke to him for most of the year. Does anybody recall the background on what he wrote and how it was settled?