Benny Baker

Wasn't it back in the 1990s when the Baker/Wanless administration wouldn't let the hockey team put a Sioux logo on their jersey for a couple seasons? If the hockey team is now calling 100% of the shots on their uniform, can someone explain how this change in uniform control occurred? Or, more generally, who is responsible for uniform control at UND?

Guessing it's partly because they're cheaper than the ugly replica jerseys currently for sale.

FWIW, Tambo left under Hakstol and his 7 points tied for the lead in Olympic scoring last year. (No current NHLers but former Sioux/NHLer Corban Knight had 3 points for comparison). Wilkie’s 23 goals his senior year would have easily led UND.

Kleven needs to get to Ottawa ASAP and cement his role before Tychonick takes his top six minutes up there next year…..

Right. That’s where I fear NIL + transfer portal could screw UND. What’s to stop the exponentially larger Michigan grad/booster population from paying a Kawaguchi/Gaber/4-year type player $500k for “appearances” through an NIL contract to transfer to Michigan their last year(s) of college … And yeah, $500k is the logical extreme, but Minnesota’s highest paid athlete in 2021 was a wrestler who made his through an appearance. Each scholarship Texas Longhorn lineman gets $50k a year for appearances. So I see where this is headed. It’s almost as if UND could leverage an Engelstad-type relationship to further it’s NIL prospects, but who knows.

Gotcha. Sounds like Minnesota has several NILs started then. Can anyone name one of UND’s?

I think this is worth repeating. For anyone not concerned about NIL, I fear that is the same mentality UND had when it neglected to transition to DI when a few other Dakota schools did. Keep up with the joneses or expect to fall behind …

What do you mean “Minnesota’s NIL”? My understanding is that NILs need to be independent (at least financially) from the school. This is why most people are concerned that NIL will serve to benefit the Big 10/larger schools the most because they pump out 50k grads a year. That is why Michigan already has NIL programs like: -the licensing and apparel agreement with the Brandr Group -the Victors Exchange program that matches businesses with student athletes -the champions collective, see above -Wolverine+, the sports subscription program that pays players. Hell, every Florida Atlantic female athlete is getting paid by the Florida Panthers. So the idea is not that FAU, Michigan, Minnesota, or even North Dakota would be paying their players. Instead, we need someone with the initiative to set up an exchange where: -Jeff Tellman pays Gaber to send out tweets every Friday night to promote Grinders after the Game -Wes Rydell pays Kleven to star in a commercial promoting Rydell Chevrolet -[current siouxsports.com user/business owner] pays [that recruit they’re really hoping UND gets] to promote their business. Like the folks at Michigan, can anyone tell me what UND is trying to do to get ahead of the game in NIL?

The conversation was about NIL … But yeah, to answer your question and to bring the conversation full circle back to where it started with Aiden Park and Michigan, last year’s Michigan team had the NCAA record for first round draft picks, not any BU team.

Important to remember that NIL has only been around since July 1, 2021 though.

Since we're talking jerseys and prices, I'll make my yearly post that I'm still looking to purchase an authentic white Nike jersey (2002-2009ish)! I'm happy to overpay. You just need to PM me and name your price! Also, I have a few white gemini Geo's I could add to purchase price or include in a trade ...

Maybe he means straight from MN high school to college??!??! If so, not many kids are successful with that route, so okay sure, I agree. If not, I won’t go back all 20 years, and reasonable minds will disagree on this next one, but the Gophers did have a Hobey Hat Trick finalist (Ben Meyers) from the metro literally just last season…

We beat out more than 20 schools for Matej Tomek. Glad DeRidder has experience at this level though.

Right? If I recall correctly, seeing how similar their stat lines were during their last year at NTDP and how things have shaped out for all three of them since then is rather telling of how things could go for Spicer. However, I think I’d roll the dice with a freshman Spicer over a senior Budy.

David Toews might be the better comparison. (June birthday before his 18-year old freshman season). Guys like D Toews, Brad Malone, Michael Forney, and Drake Caggiula all had birthdays within a month of Spicer’s before their 18-year old freshman seasons. Worked out for some; not for others. Jonny Toews is a different ballpark. He played his LAST game at UND as an 18-year old.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^ This is what has me so confused/frustrated.

I’m not. A few people (myself included) were confused by your claim that Spicer would have been the first 18-year old forward at UND since Toews. I was only pointing out that there have been numerous 18-year old forwards at UND recently.

I think everyone agrees with you that Spicer isn’t that player. I think others disagree that being an 18-year old freshman is rare. Hain was 18 (2 months older than Spicer); Caulfield was 18 (3 months older); Mishmash was 18 (4 months older). Those are just the most recent players coming from the NTDP, like Spicer would have. None of them were first rounders, but all 18 year-old freshman. But seeing where Hain, Caulfield, and Mishmash are at in their careers, perhaps Spicer could use another year.

Exactly. Spicer would have been yet another 18-year old freshman. Not rare at all.

Not really though. Plenty of 18-year old forwards recently. Boeser, Hain, Schmaltz, Caggiula, and the list goes on. Moreover, Caggiula has a later June birthday than Spicer.

That's what I don't get? Seems like his options are to either live in Belleville, Ontario playing the AHL circuit or playing in his home state in front of his Dad for one more year. Seems like a no brainer to me.

The latter point was what I had intended to convey. Took me by surprise by how much of a frozen four dry spell they’re currently in for BC standards.

Crazy to think, but if Boston College does not make the 2023 Frozen Four, it will tie their longest drought in school history without a frozen four appearance.

Really?!? I thought the Lucius brothers committed to UofM in utero. Wonder what gives to make the change now after all these years?

9 goals against in 75 minutes!!!