Johnny Five

Bison fan here who wants it back. A couple points: I wish they could do it annually but I understand that since they will not be in the same conference it makes it more difficult. Both teams have difficult conference schedules, and it is a race to 7 and usually 8 wins for the playoffs. So we are always looking at the payday games (UM, Kansas, Colorado State, etc) as well as the cupcake home game early in the year. In my opinion, the best case scenario would be a conference game. Obviously that isn't going to happen because everyone involved is or was too pigheaded to do this thing together (hindsight is 20/20). Because of the cupcake and payday factor, I think the next best option is every other year, and rotate venue. Iowa State and Iowa can do it on a larger level, I wish we could see it happen here. And everyone hates each other I guess, but count me in the camp that even though you hate your rival, you can also make each other better.

He lives in Detroit Lakes. Send him to...Stillwater??

I'm a Bison fan and season ticket holder man. However I respect UND and am one fan (I guess one of very few for some reason) that thinks it's better for our area to have each school good/competitive and not want to measure wieners everytime Bison/Sioux comes up in any sport.

Fact. People on both sides can sit here and say "we don't care about UND/NDSU" but I am one who misses the weeks, games and friendly smack for all sports.

It is impossible to compare UND football and UND hockey. I know everyone wants to, but how can you compare a team that is already 90% drafted by professionals to one that might get someone drafted if they're a stud or maybe some free agent looks? WCHA hockey is dang near the next best thing to NHL hockey. The recognition will not be the same because the product related to it's particular sport aren't even close. Damn Frattin went straight to the NHL...seriously! The NDSU comparison is a good one (put the hatred aside please). A team with a so-so record can get in, ride a defense, a wave of emotions, a belief in what is going on....and the chips were there for them to get a second home game in the NATIONAL SEMIFINALS had they taken care of business on one or two plays. You just never know how fast UND football will come around, and if it is sooner rather than later, it will be a b*tch for a deserved team not to be rewarded with a home game or possibly two or three (EWU).

25,000 AVERAGE attendance? Shoot for the stars.

If football teams in the Big Sky are competing against UND for a top notch recruit do you think that will be used against UND? Or Basketball for that matter? Hell even non-conference such as SDSU, USD, NDSU? Going throughout your career without the chance of a home playoff game? I don't know the answer....my guess is opposing coaches will drill that into recruits, every advantage they can get.

First off, this whole thing sucks IMO just wanted to get that out there. OK. I'm curious with OSU and PSU. They have the money to make things happen. With the Big 10 exposure (name, tv, etc) I wonder if they will be able to be more successful in recruiting. For example, in the early going of the conference let's say they are competing with WCHA schools like Mankato, AA, Tech or Bemidji etc for a prospect from Canada. Will the name recognition, TV, big time college sports atmosphere, etc turn that recruit towards those schools? I personally believe that those schools are gonna reap the benefits of this and will become competitive in a hurry. I think the local kids (midwest, etc) will stick to the local schools but it is with those type of kids of really have no local allegience where I think psu and osu will make some hay early on in the recruiting process.

College Hockey doesn't exactly sell advertisements either, to be fair to KFAN. It sucks for us diehard puck fans but most would rather talk vikings year round. Cardinal is awesome. Maybe they could get Schlossman on there once in awhile. The best puck talk is Bernie's show on Saturday morning on 740 followed by Beyond the Pond. But usually folks have things going on Saturdays at that time of day.

I'm not a sioux fan, but I enjoy following college and wcha players in the NHL. Oshie and Toews are up there on that list, but I will be rooting hard for Matt Frattin. What he accomplished on and off the ice is absolutely impressive.

LB, my point is he needs those guys or callers to talk hockey. Hammer could touch on lines, or PP, etc. Jack will not do that. He even said today something like, "the people out in williston are shocked that I'm talking hockey right now."....in jest. anyway, like i said, great hire, great guy.

As I've posted before, I am a NDSU Bison fan. I cannot believe that people are POd about this (bison fans). As far as broadcasting sporting events goes in the state of north dakota, UND football is in the top 3 jobs. If someone comes calling, you have to listen! Jack is an absolutely great radio play-by-play guy. I've listened to him broadcast Umary football and basketball out here in the last few years and he makes the game fun to listen to. He is NOT a Tim Hennesey (Glen Sonmor, any college hockey radio guy) homer. He is a straight up professional and even though I am a Bison fan I will also listen to UND football due to Jack. On top of how good he is at his job, he is an absolutely great individual, just a class act any way you can shake it. As far as the radio show goes. He will be great at professional sports, particularly baseball. He will be very good at the local and national college sports scene, as well as High School sports. UND fans need to understand up front that he is not going to break down the Sioux hockey team, he will need to rely on others to fill that void...he is definitely not a hockey guy. Congrats to Jack and best of luck to you.

Am i the only one who noticed the irony in this username? haha....

You do realize that a majority of Bison fans in football and basketball are also crossover Sioux hockey fans, right?

Where do you have it that Panthers are not pleased with Bjugstad's development? I wouldn't be shocked if he left, but he gradually improved from the start of the season until the end of the season. There is not one thing wrong with the way Bjugstad developed this year coming from HS. See ya Ness. Another Gopher d-man flop. EDIT: Although he gradually got better every season, not at an accelerated pace. And terrible in the Defensive zone. Expectations were much too high on this young kid and I wish him the best.

Hammy from GPL had posted that he doesn't think Cammaratta would decide anything too soon. Sounds like a heck of a player. How about Keaton Thompson? 15 years old, that is ridiculous. Good for him.

Hammer does an excellent job with hockey on TV, based on the HS games I watched last night. Maybe it's just me but I think he is much better than Sweeney at hockey. Sorry for the off topic.

Not sure how much you guys follow the Bismarck Bobcats but there are a few former Bobcats on Air Force as well for another sort of local tie to this thing.

That is assinine. What is going on with this world.

We stay at the embassy. It is two blocks from alarys about a mile from the x. Has two full beds...pullout couch...fridge....bar....etc. good free breakfast with attached restaurant and bar. Always take the alarys shuttle two and from unless its warm out the its a nice walk. Can't recall the rate off hand but tons of Sioux fans stay there.

Well let's refrain from turning this into a Sioux-Gopher arguement, seriously. A majority of college hockey fans including myself (a Gopher fan) wish Danny Kristo a speedy and full recovery.

I assume the intent here was to compare Bison football verse Sioux hockey? I mean I'm a Bison fan but it's not even close. Let's be honest about it, Sioux hockey represents North Dakota more than anything else does. We have to remember that the Sioux are basically one level away from the bigs with many NHL draft picks on the team. Comparing that to NDSU football, who maybe will get a player or two drafted in the last rounds and some free agent looks with a whole level of college football in between them and the pros...A lot of times I don't think the people realize how lucky we are to have such good hockey in such a close area within easy driving abilities. The WCHA is top notch hockey and half of it is right in our backyard. And there are a LOAD of NDSU fans who crossover to Sioux hockey fans, that can't be disputed. Not too many Sioux fans cheering for NDSU football as they were in the playoffs, which is understandable. When the playoffs roll around, sports bars in Bismarck are loaded with Sioux hockey fans. It's really not even a discussion worth debating. Comparing sports within the state of North Dakota in reading through the thread, I would suggest that wrestling is possibly even just as popular as hockey in this state, particularly in the central to western portions of the state. I'm a hockey guy, but have been to the state wrestling tournament and it is intense as heck.

Jack is very good at baseball, basketball and football. He doesn't know hockey whatsoever. When it comes to UND hockey he has a few callers who know what's up, and that's about it. Let's be honest, it is amazing that he fills a 3 hour slot everyday in Bismarck. Like I said, he has turned down the big carrot, he won't be leaving Bismarck.

Jack Michaels does radio for Umary in Bismarck. Football and men's and women's basketball. Also HS at times and has a 3 hour radio show on 710 every morning. I do not think he would leave Bismarck though. I have it on good authority that he has passed up his dream job of announcing MLB in the past because of his family situation. I thought Hammer did a good job for UND.

Don't forget a 4th and Goal where they called Jensen's number as well.