http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2014/01/10_fresh_starts_for_north_dakota.php
Complete level...this is what I've been saying for a couple years now. Our team is very good, believe that (not that I have to tell too many of you this). However this team tends to loaf around like they're in a rec league sometimes. In certain games I say to myself wow, could this be the year given they are so young, they have to only get better. Than the next weekend it's like watching an NA game. Pretty frustrating but adds to the drama I guess. Go Sioux!
Even if they sweep (which they have to almost) it won't do much our pairwise ranking. It's odd, we have the same record as Miami, split with Miami (away), and have a better winnning percentage within the NCHC and yet we are way behind them in the pairwise. I'm guessing no one could have called that before the start of the season. I'm still shocked how bad the NCHC's non-conference record is. That tie against Vermont and BU series hurt us pretty bad.
I doubt there are a ton of kids that leave the CHL that go backward to the USHL, BCHL, AJHL, etc....pretty sure they simply go the CIS route (if they are done with hockey for the most part) or go to the ECHL, CHL, FHL, Europe, etc.
“While we’re sorry to see Matt Greene leave the program, we’re very happy to know that all of his hard work will pay off, and that he will have an immediate opportunity to play at the NHL level with the Edmonton Oilers,” said head coach Dave Hakstol. “He’s a young man with a great deal of character and a tremendous work ethic. He is a great member of the Fighting Sioux hockey family, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on his National Hockey League career.”
That is the response you want from your head coach...not the one Tambo got. After 24 hours of cool-down time, I'm fine with him leaving...he's not a "Sioux" type of guy. However, my thinking on recruiting methodology has changed slightly. It's not fair to the guys who are already here battling. I hope this is motivation for the guys to work extremely hard the rest of the season. Maybe good things will happen.
His brother racked up 45 pts his freshman year. Also, it seems times are slowly shifting back toward the CHL route for higher rated players. Blue chipers typcically went the CHL route prior to the early 2000's....then during the early to mid 2000's college hockey pulled in a ton of high drafted players. The past 2/3 years have slowly shifted back to the CHL....not overly sure why as they have always offered money under the table. I truly think the NHL teams (which own the CHL) are pushing that route behind the scenes.
Yup it appears the CHL has generated more top NHL players while tons of college players make it. But bailing on your team is a joke. His excuse for leaving (that he wanted to have more if an offensive role) sealed it for me. Kid was probably babied his entire life. If you cannot be a good college player you will never even be a role player in the NHL. If his reason was solely that he wanted to play more game or did not want to go to school then I'm fine with it. Either way he couldn't play in Hak's system anyway.
Agree on your last sentence however there are more 19 and 20 year olds in that league. I don't believe there are any 15 year olds in the Dub. When players are granted exceptional player status (ohl) they typically are sure fire a top 3 NHL pick....that's talent that doesn't come around college (anymore).
First off, for those of you who think the Dub is a walk in the park you are clearly mistaken, however he may be playing with some skilled players. Also, most of you are correct that the players are younger. I am a huge backer of college hockey but to stay the WHL is a step down is 100% false. That league is absolutely littered with talent. Let the so called expert posters attempt to bash my comment now.
Also, style of play and linemates may have a lot to do with this.