Benny Baker

I think Boston College would take issue with this "fact". Some would argue that BC's 3 national championships, 7 conference tournament championships, and 4 conference championships during 2005-2015 is more successful, consistent than UND's 0 national championships, 4 conference tournament championships, and 3 conference championships during Hakstol's tenure.

I also remember some statement implying his lack of development at UND, but he was quoted as saying the following: "It's definitely been a lot of hard work to get to where I am and I owe a lot of that to the development staff here, [development coach] Mike O'Connell and guys at North Dakota for developing me into the player I am now." in the L.A. Times the day of his NHL debut. Also, if we give the coaches credit for developing players at UND, there should be some consideration if the coaches fail to develop a player and/or the player and the coaches' systems aren't the best match for one another.

Right. Maybe the fact that Rube was a gopher has something to do with the added disappointment, but he only had winning seasons for 3 out of 10 years. I do agree with your overall sentiment, Stevey Y, it's clear that this program's success is based and element of tradition and continuity as opposed to an aberration of random seasonal success that happens every several years.

Agree. The Bjorkman era really was the only low point in Sioux hockey history. Gino and Deano were crucial hires that kept the program on course, and I also agree with the OP's overall sentiment, which was that there are many people responsible for the current state of UND hockey. North Dakota didn't stock its trophy case mostly during the 1950s and 1960; i.e., Michigan and Denver. There is something to be said for UND's steady success throughout history, save the Bjorkman era.

This is the right response. After winning a natty as an all-american, he has nothing more to prove nor nothing left to earn in his senior year if he has the rookie max offer on the table. If that offer is not there, he'll have to decide what's best for him. Either way, I trust the fans understand, and I hope I speak on behalf of everyone, that we were privileged to have him play at UND.

Great point! Did we even have logos on our jerseys when we won in 1959 and 1963? What did that big chief and sammy sioux logo look like? Were those it.

Dear Moderators, As author of this thread, I request that this damn thread be locked and closed!!!!!!! Go Sioux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy #8, Benny

Haha, well played.

But then how would Lucia ensure the North Dakota/Minnesota rivalry stays "cooled off"!?!?!

Can you find my post where I said I was excited about WMU joining the NCHC, that WMU was a good fit because they're DI across the board, or that they have a long history in hockey? Nope, neither can I. Yup, that Bemidji team from 8 years really tore through its CHA competition to reach the NCAA tournament with an astounding 18-15-1 record! So much recent success, though, right? Right? right . . . ?

Sounds like rumor has a lot of things these days.

I have to completely agree with Cratter and UNDBIZ. Hindsight is 20/20, but why didn't the WCHA just add Miami and WMU to replace Minnesota and Wisconsin. The addition of Bemidji and Mankato to the NCHC would effectively put UND back into the WCHA except without the conference's prestigious 50+ year history, the McNaughton Cup, etc. I cringed when St. Cloud was added, not because they cannot compete in college hockey, but because it confirmed that the idea behind the "NATIONAL" had already been curbed back from its original intention. And since when has Bemidji had recent success? (Please don't reply with the "but 10 years ago when Bemidji was in College Hockey America" type of arguments. I don't care that they beat up on Wayne State and Findley University to get into the NCAAs). Bemidji's 17-16-6 record this season is the first time they finished over .500 since moving to the WCHA six years ago. Maybe they'll continue their success and be two games above .500 next season!

Good call. I'll have to remember that for next time.

Your upvote was much appreciated, haha, but I'll understand if you have to switch it to a negative vote. Go Sioux!

Yes, I am. I am joking. I hope so too! Thank you! Thank you. I had planned to attend the game from my couch this year whether the game was at 4:00 or 7:30. And, yes, I'll be taking off work early. And, no, I won't complaint about it. My post was a sarcastic joke. I still have not heard a justifiable reason for why UND should have chosen to play the night game. The 4:00 was the right choice. Go Sioux!

This team is nothing without the fans, especially those who pay a lot of money for suites at the Ralph! That's who Berry should be courting and whose schedules Berry should be scheduling the games around! What an absolute travesty that this game is being played at 4:00!

I loved seeing Omaha's second half collapse, particularly for the negative effect it will have on their annoying fan base's psyche. After building up their resume beating formidable opponents like Ohio State, Arizona State, and Air Force in the first half of the year, Omaha finished the second half with an astonishing 4-14 record. In fairness to Omaha, 12 of their final 18 games were against UND, St. Cloud, and Denver during which they went 1-11 with a regrettable victory against UND. The Mavericks are what they are: a very average 18-17-1 college hockey team. Although it may look like they choked during the second half of the year, I think they just had an extremely easy schedule during the first half of the season that was backloaded with this year's NCHC powerhouses in January, February, and March. Omaha just wasn't that good to begin with, and I am glad that the season is over for Omaha and their fans.

Way too small of a sample size, Biddco. I'd assume he's haughty because after an entire regular season and first round playoff series, UND is ranked #1 in the pairwise. Go Sioux

Completely agree. When Cam's been on his game this year, he's been absolutely astounding. When he's been off his game this year, he's been absolutely atrocious. 2 goals on 8 shots against Bemidji; 3 goals on 13 shots against St. Cloud St; 4 goals on 23 shots against Omaha; 3 goals on 11 shots against Colorado College; 5 goals on 30 shots against Denver; 3 goals on 4 shots against Western Michigan. http://www.uscho.com/stats/player/mid,23904/cam-johnson/#20152016 And, no, UND has not won all of these games when Cam played poorly. UND was 1-3-2. It's fairly likely that UND will not be playing the likes of Bemidji State, Colorado College, and Western Michigan in the NCAA tournament. We know Cam can string together a number of solid games. I don't think anyone is trying to dismiss his shutout streak and dominance at Duluth and Western Michigan. But Cam's bad is really bad, and I hope he got the last one out of his system against Western Michigan.

Right. I can state as a fact that minnesota's attendance this year is no where close to what that figure represents. From what I hear, wisconsin's probably is not that high either.

Well, that sort of mindset certainly explains a lot.

What terms did the NCAA originally submit to UND?

I think it's also important to point out that approval from a namesake tribe was a primary, but not exclusive, consideration for being taken off the hostile and abusive ban list. So I think the frustration for some people with Stenehjem is a perception of poor negotiating skills in light of the state's agreement to obtain namesake approval of not one, but two tribes, when Utah, Central Michigan, and Florida State only had the approval of one, local tribe.

Wait, what?!? You mean to tell me that UND isn't signing that exclusive contract with ESPN for the production and nationwide broadcasting of all home Fighting Hawks' games?!?

What's insulting about being someone's wife or close relative? Please stop spreading your bigotry on here.