Frozen4sioux

USA Hockey announced 32 teams in the initial NDL? Although it kind of makes sense each USHL team would have an affiliation, that doesn't leave many spots for the traditional powerhouse Tier 1 programs. Most of the "requirements" listed for NDL wouldn't fit a new Force program but a few do. I just don't see them being invited into the NDL right away. Especially with "only taking 6 non district players" rule.... NDL lists no district affiliation as a part of the teams makeup. Although as we know "district residency affiliation" is a loose and often times completely sidestepped by tossing money at "another residence" So until USA Hockey anoints the programs... who knows

And now is not the time to bring the Fighting Sioux nickname back. There will be a time when the NCAA isn't really a thing anymore and it won't be the issue. There will also be a time when the winds of political victimhood ideology shifts to "The evil oppressors stole our glorious name of honor, we want it reinstated" Nor should it in any way just be handed to some joe blow off the street to make money of t-shirt sales. Very disappointed to see the Engelstad support for this, she aught to know better. The University can and should abide by the conditions of maintaining it and should vigorously pursue punitive monetary judgements on those using it without proper licensing. They need to make an example out of someone.

Just a completely ignorant statement, that I can only assume is based on nothing but one's own minute snapshot of experiences, oblivious to the history of the University. You maybe could benefit by revisiting a Dacotah yearbook or two. You would see the Fighting Sioux was engrained in every aspect of not only sports, student spirit, Greek life, of course aviation... but The Fighting Sioux Battalion of the ARMY ROTC... which at times throughout the 20th century was literally a mandatory part of every male UND students' requirements for graduation. Basically every aspect what the University of North Dakota has been since at least the late 40s, up to retirement had the "Fighting Sioux identity" as a core foundation. Just because you don't remember it, doesn't mean it didn't exist.

Its the elephant in the room, right. The best of the best bestest, are going leave for LEGIT real Tier 1. As they probably should if the opportunity and talent is there. And let's not forget, Tier 1 aint Tier 1 next year. NDL will be the hand selected "real" Tier 1 prospect league. The remaining TIER 1 teams in the country will be there to play... but its doubtful the NDL... of which Shattuck will surely be... will schedule the Force... or Team ND... or SFO... or Norrhstar. So back to the Elephant.... Does ND have enough talent with the 19 players the Force will take to compete for real? I mean hope in one hand... Hand over the cash with the other I guess....

"out of district" players capped at 6 per team so that's 19 ND players per team, at least. Will Team ND continue as well? Hope so, Damn shame if some kids who cant fork over 15k plus miss Tier 1 opportunity just for a couple FM egos and wallets to get stroked. But then again thats kinda the state motto at this point.

Once it's approved for one, it'll have to be approved for many. The force are just one of the FM groups begging to run a "$AAA$" program. Then it'll be "keep up" with the jones" as they say, and you can look to other "established" summer programs across the state to follow suit. High school hockey will be akin to basically intramural. and club bantam hockey in the state would disappear, at least at the AA level... ( actually parents will still cry like the world is ending to call it AA ) but yeah actual AA league will cease to exist. Money will be siphoned, second mortgages will be taken, and the vultures in the NA3 owners meetings will be just waitn' for tell little Brayjeadonsky he's gotta shot to earn a "callup" ....if they sign now.

BHB staff isn't being gutted the contrary actually as in club taking on more payroll liabilities as possible, and then an assistant for those positions. The ranks of players leaving for other opportunities is the higher end suckers bolting for "AAeh" programs then some lower kids leaving for high school as they see the what's happening around them. Why pay 8k travel costs to get housed 50 games a year.... Leaving fewer and fewer kids playing at the proper levels for development, and at the same time then forcing decisions about fielding teams or not to field teams. Alot of those parents of kids who "may" now slide into this higher team slots are giddy their hero is finally getting the "AA" slot they deserve... and then screaming when a proper hockey decision is discussed saying they should not play a AA schedule as the pool isn't there. Lower-level numbers seem fine the past few years, but, anyone who isn't screamingly concerned about the fact costs haven't been addressed with the cash coming in needs to wake up, but yeah. BHB available players that should be in those 15U and AA team levels are being gutted. ... Johnny kinda knows what he's talking about here.

USHL... yeah that's the dream they sell, that and "D1 baby". In reality the place is a solid feeder program for Canadian Junior B.... Junior A as a stretch... and today's Junior A ... aint daddys Junior A. Not that ND should be responsible for these parents bad, horrible, near debilitating decisions for the kids, but IMHO NDHSAA needs to change the rules and make it so there's at least a fall back for these kids to return to ND and just play with their friends after Daddy realizes it was a complete and total scam.... which it is, and he will. Sorry Dudes, but yeah, you got scammed. You listened to the wrong people, who don't have your child's best interests at heart, they have their egos, and their bank accounts first and foremost. and NO..... Johnny Topshelf aint going D1 from Pilot Fuggging Mound, for fugggs sake.

Spit my coffee out the nose reading this. Dang accurate🤣

The NAHL is a moondream for 99% of the kids leaving. Which is even more sad, and foolish.

Easy line here is "If".... but Honestly NDAHA isn't really as much to blame in the lack of action in the face of the changes, I really think they have tried to protect the kids as much as possible but there's really only so much they can do now. Team ND was a good option for the pre junior boom era. The real enemy of Hockey in ND in NDHSAA As has been stated before an in state full time Tier 1 program doesn't keep ND kids at home.... it keeps Fargo metro kids at home. Nobody else. For Western/Central/Northern ND kids or anyone outside the FM metro really... there's no difference in sending kids to a TEAM Fargo Tier 1a and an established Tier 1 Program out of state. (The legit Tier 1 Jr prospect kids from ND don't matter in this convo as they will have already left to legit pipeline programs already.) (also, since the NDL is starting any ""tier 1"" program not invited turns into a defacto Tier 1a... tier 1 fcs... Tier 1jv.. however you want to label it)

At this point what's more watered down: ND High School hockey?.... or...... 25 cent tap beers at the college dive bar? In all seriousness at this point ND High school hockey has been decimated from its already beleaguered state, by these continual changes to the junior hockey landscape. And it'll still probably come down to Central vs RR for another title. 🙄

Torterella passed on the offer?!

Sorry to derail but couldnt let this one go. He doesnt deserve to be in, even if he bought the ticket himself.

Geezus... The Speeza Madano benching for milestone games, The Marner thing about ranking teammates, he was literally fired for being a scumbag like a month into his last job. And thats without a beef from Commie, and hes not alone by far in the criticism. I think Edmonton hired him to have an evil scapegoat for not getting it done the next 3-4 years

Yes, exactly, one of the dozen or so better ways this could have been handled.

They didnt want to spring for those Mr Placebo royalties

Listening to the interview with TH... no matter what Hennen may be exaggerating things and sensationalizing it... there's a few things that I see. If anybody can't understand the concept that perception is reality, those people struggle in life and especially business. In this case no matter what, TH seems to have the perception that he was disrespected and thrown away. If that's his perception that is the reality to him and others. In my perception Hennen seems to be using TH in his sensational over dramatization of the situation to fuel his own war against UND, Which basically negates a few valid points. i.e. Schloss had nothing to say about this until now? He obviously was aware, and I would guess aware of the hard feelings. Bottom line in my book, I think less of Hennen once again in all this and that has been a long slide down over time in how he handles some issues for ratings more than content or results. However, there's about a dozen or more better ways it all could have been handled by UND, and that didn't happen.

At least somebody gets it... thought Id have to reference him dragging the natty trophies through the parking lot.. Geez that got a little dark real quick.. That hurts... not as bad as my knees but... still hurts a bit.

Ill wait to light the pitchforks and sharpen the torches but if i dont hear some very very good un-disputable reasoning on why this HAD to happen this way... I dont care what has happened for the good Chaves leaves town metaphorically tarred and green feathered to the front of a very late Amtrak. This is UND, we don't discard legends like this..... but unfortunately between Sweney and TH, appearently I guess we do. Whats next Chaves going to wear the Morelli Sammy Sioux jersey to a Champions Ball and wipe strawberry juice all over it?

Rumor on the street is Bis Century may have their new coach but not sure when it will be announced..... I guess we'll just wait for the musical chairs tunes to stop and see where it all settles out.

Finally Facebook Official.

I'm hearing there are roving semi trucks with Manitoba plates running around the Western North Dakota circuit collecting bantam players gear and family's cash and heading across the border to Pilot Mound. Sounds like they sent a couple trucks just to Bismarck. These type programs across Norh America are just preying on these kids... er... Dads.... with "fear" about the new 5 in 5 rule. Don't dare mention to these folks the 5in5 rule is a NCAA D1 rule... as the obvious reality is lost on them.

And player in the early mid 80s.... Been involved with the program for the vast majority of its existence.