MNState0fHockey

I did it for my bachelor party 7 years ago. We stayed by the MOA and went to a Twins game and then the bars downtown. I remember the ride being about 15 minutes, but things may have changed.

No, I'm not kidding. The size of the ice is as significant as travel time.

Light rail. Stay by the MOA. It's like a 15 minute train ride downtown.

Again, the Xisn't the same size sheet as Mariucci, which is as big of a disadvantage to the Gophers as the location is an advantage.

RE Gophers "Home Ice Advantage": I will give you the lack of travel. That is an advantage, but I'd say it's the only one. The time they play is irrelevant to the team. We, as fans, care about whether they play the night or day game, but the teams could care less. The Gophers always get the night game because they draw the highest TV ratings. Just the reality of the TV business. What people are overlooking is that the X is an NHL sized sheet. This is as big of a disadvantage for the Gophers, if not more, than the lack of travel is an advantage.

Just here to genuinely say great season guys. Considering the losses you had after last season, and the hand you were dealt injury wise, you should be very proud. No doubt in my mind that a healthy UND team will make some noise next season. Cheers.

There is open enrollment at public schools, which allow them to "recruit" like the private schools do. However, if you want to play for another public school, you have to move to that school your freshman year. No such limitation exists for private schools. However, that isn't my beef with schools like Breck and STA playing Class A. My problem is, these schools play largely a Class AA schedule during the season, yet play in Class A in the playoffs.

I don't know about the revenue side. For schools like North Dakota and Minnesota, sure, but there have been years where even schools like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State haven't made money off their programs.

I definately think he needs to be in the discussion. No question.

I didn't see it was you that posted that originally, and I can't figure out how to edit my post Seriously though, don't you think this would be another kick in the nuts to the small programs in college hockey who were already hurt by the conference realignment? As a Gopher fan, I'm sure it would help my team, but I can't help but wonder at what price to the overall health of college hockey?

Didn't mean to refer to you in the third person. You said this has nothing to do with poaching recruits from smaller schools, and it has everything to do with that.

Hey now, before you get defensive and start putting words in my mouth, I never even brought up Hakstol's name. My comment was specifically directed towards Goon for something he specifically said.

Just like you don't think this doesn't have anything to do with taking recruits from small schools, Goon? Are you that sure about this too?

Fact remains, you have nothing to prove he does. Oh....

As was explained to you on a different board, Lucia doesn't like how kids are verbally committing to programs at such an early age. I don't think he is in favor of stealing recruits from smaller programs at the 11th hour.

So, you don't have proof?

Proof?

No, he does it because he's clueless.

Yes, sorry. Long day. I played against Nick growing up, so it must have been a Freudian slip

I believe they pulled his scholarship offer. Not sure, but I think it may have been related to academics.

Peter Kennedy and Nick Chucko.

Nope.

Two completely separate issues (CHL and early NHL departures). Early NHL departures really became an issue when the NHL passed its most recent CBA. It made these young players cheaper to sign by implementing a rookie salary cap. And with a team salary cap also implemented, teams needed the cheap talent to round off their rosters. That issue won't go away if the CHL issue is resolved. Gone are the days where 3-4 years out of a blue chip player can be expected. As for the CHL issue, it is true that the Gophers are less effected. The Gophers recruit mostly in Minnesota, and Minnesota high school players are far less likely to choose the CHL. There are only 7 native Minnesotans playing in the CHL this year, while 180 are playing D1 hockey (see link below). http://www.letsplayhockey.com/online-edition/kurtt/346-the-state-of-hockey-players.html

The big mistake is thinking Roman cares at all about college hockey, much less the Gophers. He got thrown into doing coverage for the Star Tribune (as well as covering volleyball and the Minnesota Linx). He doesn't make the mistakes because he's a "homer", he makes them because he's rather clueless.

Minnesota hasn't had Mike Guentzel, and Wisconsin had Osiecki. Those tables will turn.