scpa0305

Ok now....he is not the best d man in his own zone but he was not one of the worst D here. Over exaggerate a bit?

Nice little rant....you say the same thing every time I question anything. I am first, and foremost a college hockey fan. I do pay attention to the CHL because I like to follow top NHL prospects. I also see flaws in both systems. In the early 2000's I enjoyed how college hockey started pulling in top prospects (Parise, Stafford, Toews, Van Reimsdyke, Kessel, Okposo, etc) however that is slightly changing. I just hope College Hockey Inc can start putting in effort to retain US kids.

Yeah, I would think he is a lock then.

I agreed with her post. Everything I mentioned after that were my own thoughts. You pretty much disagree with everything I say even when you do slightly agree with me. Go get more information on this topic...then post something. Or I might ask, why do you think more kids than ever are going to the CHL? Just to go to Canada? If you think some of these kids are simply being persuaded by only the CHL you are wrong....the NHL teams that draft them push for them to go to the CHL. If you are a kid with NHL aspirations you are going to listen to who took the time to draft you (most of the time).

I pretty much agree with everything you said. Don't hate the player....hate the game kind of thing. Because of NCAA regulation they simply can't compete (currently) with the CHL (or NHL actaully as the NHL pretty much funds the CHL leagues). Tough situation.

Their GMs can be leaches...but you are correct I really don't think they are the "bad guys". Also, they offer money under the table to players (which is against their rules but rarely enforced). They get a bad rep because of the players that leave college to play their at the instruction of the team which drafted them (a majority of the time).

I don't have any of the answers all I know is that something has to change because some of the current flaws are pretty obvious. You are correct with all those players you listed....there are probably some more but those are some of the ones I know of. I am trying to look at this as unbiasedly as possible, it is very easy to come on this message board and sound off on the CHL, but I think a better use of our time would be to look at the flaws. Also, I never said once it was college hockey fault, youre right it is the NHLPA and the NHLs fault. But there are former college players within the NHLPA and they should be speaking up on some of these issues to promote the developmental route they took. All I'm saying, is that from a business perspective, it is much more risky to draft a college bound player than a CHL bound player under the current rules. I guarantee that if you took a pole of all NHL gms a majority would say the same thing. I just think US Hockey/NCAA must work with the NHL to try and resolve some of these "exaggerated" flaws...as you call it. Because US kids are starting to jump ship more and more and I bet this trend just gets worse unless some sort of pack is established.

I bet he does...but I wouldn't say, at this point, he is a lock. I really think it depends on the player. If they are more relaxed and layed back and simply want to play hockey....they go with their gut on where they want to go. If they are uber dedicated and will do anything to get into the League....they will most likey do whatever the NHL gms want them to do...even back out of their prior commitments.

Yeah I am really not trying to preach either route, I'm just saying that if you were an 18 year old kid and an NHL GM gives you his idea of what you should do (go to the CHL) I think many would follow their advice. Also, I am not saying the CHL doesn't poach players....because obviously they do. I am saying these guys that bounce right after the draft are being told what to do. Now some of them may be strong willed in their deceision (ex. Schmaltz) other may simply want to do whatever they can do to get to the NHL and if they are NHL GMs directing them on what to do, I'm guessing they listen. What I think is that something needs to change regarding the rules. I do believe something has to be done with players that are committed....they must at least play one year for that school. Also, something must be done to get the NHL to support college hockey. The NHL owns a very large portion of the CHL, obviously that is why they want their prospects to go there. Also, the 4 yr rule that says a player can become a free agent after 4 years is absolutely killing college hockey's reputation in the NHL. The Justin Schultz situation is a great example. The guy stayed an extra year in school and then he gets to hit free agency and the Ducks pretty much lose one of their top prospects because of a technicality. Again, I love college hockey but some "fine print....loopwhole" rules must change in order for it to become more popular to the NHL gms....otherswise drafting a college bound players becomes too risky (for business purposes).

Ok my buddy's little cousin got drafted last week and from what I hear it is not even 100% the CHL's fault for poaching....there is no poaching going on after the draft. The kids meeting with the NHL GMs and they tell their draft picks how they should continue their development which would obviously be to go to the CHL. After the whole Justin Schultz debacle, I could understand why NHL GMs would push the CHL route....it's a business decision and when kids go to college and stay there, it get's risky for the team that drafted them. It sucks. The NHL must change the 4-yr rule to 6 yrs or something. Because we are losing a lot of our talent.

OK thanks, yeah he was pretty fun to watch. He cracked the pipe with 2 minutes left against Benilde which would have had them in the Chip. Oh well, I really hope he doesn't play for the Gophs.

Agreed, I may be wrong but isn't there one more week of Habs summer camp? After that they usually offer contracts. I ma be wrong on my timing so if that camp is already over, yes he would be coming back if no contract has been offered. Which I could live with, he'll end up splitting time with Gothberg.

I still think he is coming back too, as this is pretty late in the game (although I did hear what you mentioned...that he was waiting until after camp) but some of those guys still take summer classes to get their degrees. The fact he is going to school shouldn't be the sole factor determining whether he stays or goes. All in all, he has NHL talent and should bounce....good riddance I say.

Yeah....and we agreed with that.

I would really like to know where Conner Hurley (Columbia team if you click the link) is going. I watched him in last year's MN state tourney and besides Besse champsionship game, Hurley was the best kid in the Tourney and by "kid", he was only a sophomore last year. Seemed pretty tall and lanky but was so good. He lead Edina's high school team in pts last season. If anyone has heard where he is going or who he is looking at please post. I have to think UND is at least taking a look at him.

Hope so. Anyway, yes I know Frazee went to the AHL. I was trying to point out (in limited fashion no less) that most players try a new location when they are not getting playing time. I remember Frazee was getting blown up frequently (remember Bina's cross ice goal) and he started losing playing time. He signed an AHL deal the next year and was (or was in consideration for) goalie of the year. I guarentee that if Gothberg is half way decent (which I know he is), Boston will want him seeing regular minutes.

You are correct sir. Some of us young guys don't fully get that old man sarcasm....that's supposed to be funny but really isn't....you know the stuff.

I like your follow up response...you are, for the most part, right on here. However, I would simply like to note that it is perfectly fine to overlook saunders because he is a goalie coming from a program that couldn't hang in the MIAC (D3). I would actaully say Gothberg has more pressure (if Dell leaves) as he is the goaile with awesome accolades. Saunders simply has to come in and be steady. I still think Gothberg will end up being the starter though...or he'll bounce to Canada at some point in his career (ala Jeff Frazee).

Yeah I was about to post but the guy really had no argument. I hope Saunders is very good....and I think I just may. However, yes the kid's stood on his head a few nights, but the team in from of him was god awful. So there will be some nights where his numers look great and others where they look terrible. He may have had 60 shots a game, but because his team was so bad....I'm guessing a lot of those shots were clean looks from 4th liners. Also, how does an awesome goalie from Canada end up in Alabama...not very often I would add. I am guessing he must have peaked late....as why would the Sioux even pull him in if he wasn't decent. I will just say that going into the year....this kid has absolutely nothing on Gothberg. But during the season anything can happen. We'll see.

I know that article is recent however I read the exact same article from a different source a while back. Schmaltz is coming for sure....as for his brother, who knows. I have seen his brother play and he is very, very good for his age. I am thinking he may bounce to the CHL when he is 16 (eligible), I hope I'm wrong though.

I hope you are being sarcastic, I don't see any smiley faces...

Yeah the manager at Sensors told me that once this kicks in they no longer will be able to show the UND games...terrible. There are atleast 10-15 UND fans at Sensors every weekend to watch their games....somtimes more.

Gothberg may be just as good as Dell right now...or better. I'm guessing at some point during the year Gothberg takes the job no matter who is on the team.

Sioux hockey....and it's not even close. Dumb poll.

Well. because in an area that doesn't have a lot of tops sports teams, hockey reminds everyone around the country that we have a decent sports school. It gives us recognition to the global hockey community. When you mention college hockey, you cannot forget to mention UND. Almost everyone else hates the Sioux (UND) but it is for a specific reason....year in and year out we throw out very tough teams to beat. Team love to play us in non-conference games (and WCHA games) because when the Sioux is in town they arenas are packed and tickets are sold. Those are just a couple of reasons for me.