MNState0fHockey

Every program has a chance. To say that the Gophers don't have an advantage over UND in the Twin Cities is disingenuous. You grabbed Parise out of our backyard, and we grabbed Potulny out of yours. Difference is, neither grew up a big Gopher or Sioux fans respectively. As for Gersich, no one is saying it's a lock. But his dad played for the Gophers, and three of his uncles played for the Gophers. He grew up a Gopher hockey fan. Who would you say has the recruiting advantage?

Yeah, it would be hard for Gersich to have any more ties to the Gopher program.

Depends on whether or not they fix the loop hole for college draft choices in the new CBA. If they don't, Condon and Haula are very likely to get signed. Alt and Budish could go either way. Schmidt is a FA that will get some good offers. Either way, I think Minnesota is planning on more than Bjugstad leaving as they are bringing at least 3 forwards and a defenseman in next season.

UMN and UND won't be in the same conference anymore, so there will be less obstacles to putting them in the same region. If both teams make the tourney next year, and they both aren't #1 seeds, etc.. then no way UND doesn't go to St Paul.

Haha... Hard to poke fun when our mascot is a Gopher. Not exactly fear-invoking

UND and UMN rivalry will be back in 4 years. Too much pressure on both administrations. I for one will be pissed if they aren't playing again regularly in 4 years.

Big time.

This

That's on the board of regents, not the hockey program.

I don't live in Minnesota anymore, but I was a long-time season ticket holder and my whole extended family still lives in the Twin Cities. I wouldn't put too much weight into what you read on message boards. The vast majority of Gopher fans I know are disappointed they won't be playing each other for 4 years.

I don't know why the policy is different for those sports.

It has already been determined. It will be a rotation. 3 of the 4 other in-state schools will play in the MN Holiday tournament with the Gophers. Minnesota has agreed to count the tournament at the X as 2 of their 20 required home games even though revenue will be split amongst the schools. They will rotate year-to-year who faces Minnesota in the first round. The team that doesn't play in the MN Holiday tournament that year will host Minnesota at their barn. Rotation will look something like this. Year 1: Play in Holiday Tournament with chance of facing Gophers in second round Year 2: Play Gophers in first round of Holiday Tournament Year 3: Play in Holiday Tournament with chance of facing Gophers in second round Year 4: Host Gophers at their barn On top of this, the other MN schools will also likely schedule series against Minnesota at Mariucci, but the Gophers won't see all of the schools at Mariucci every year. Depends on the school and the scheduling arrangement they work out based on their other scheduling arrangements.

My understanding is Minnesota didn't wait to see how it played out and went out and made other scheduling agreements. Maybe part of that has to do with the fact that Don's son Mario plays for Notre Dame now, I don't know. But I do know they have had a scheduling arrangement with BC and Northeastern for some time. They play BC in the Mariucci Classic already this season. It is a shame that they won't be playing for 4 years. IMO it's the best rivalry in college hockey.

UND was a fellow conference member before. Minnesota had no choice.

Yeah, I can see why Kangas would have hated the trip

Links? And again, your comment loses credibility with BC on our schedule.

I see. Well, I think they are in the minority. Personally, I'm bummed.

We're playing BC the next 4 years. Last time I checked, they were the best.

Who's acting like it's nothing. We're as disappointed as you are. It sucks, but it's the reality of the situation.

Gophers didn't even want to leave the WCHA. Read this piece on how AD Joel Maturi described his and UMN's feelings on matter: http://mankatofreepresshockey.blogspot.com/2012/06/maturi-hoped-penn-state-would-join-ccha.html Gophers will play UND again. They just don't have room for next 4 years because of other NC commitments.

What? You heard the Gophers are "afraid" to schedule UND? Do you realize how seriously ridiculous and jaded that sounds? Especially considering they have BC on their upcoming schedule instead. What I outlined is exactly what went down. Spin whatever other tales you like, but they won't be factual.

It's exactly how things went down.

Yeah, the Gophers are afraid of North Dakota, so they schedule Boston College instead. Makes perfect sense. Truth is, in-state rivalries come first, and leave few road non-conference games available. Minnesota couldn't schedule with North Dakota while the nickname was active, and by the time it was dropped it already had scheduling arrangements. The Gophers will likely schedule series with North Dakota again once the current NC scheduling agreements expire. But there will be gaps where these teams don't play because both schools want 1-for-1 agreements and both have limited NC road series available.

Pretty positive it was under a 20 minute ride 7 years ago. Like I said, things may have changed since then. I live in Milwaukee now and haven't rode the light rail since.

Got it. That makes sense.