jk

I've been trying to put this past weekend into perpsective and this seems like a good place to discuss it. The Sioux definitely made a statement, and it appears they were heard by the pollsters, as they have ascended to the #1 ranking. Many of us don't care too much about that; I personally would like to see them continue to win and, most of all, get better every week. As for playing well in October, it certainly is nice ... but I can't get over the thought that UND kicked Denver up and down the rink last fall, only to fall just short of the Pioneers in March. Although we have seen underdogs win the title before, last year really changed my view of college hockey. Now I think, as far as pursuit of the national title is concerned, all that matters is to qualify for the tournament. Once there, anything can happen. As for caveats about this weekend's terrific performance, I can think of just a few. First, we don't know how good Maine is yet. Second, we've only seen about 5% of the season, which seems a little light to be getting too excited. The couple of outstanding things to take out of this weekend for me are: - From the sounds of it, Maine wasn't able to generate much in the way of quality chances 5x5; sounds like the defense is picking up right where it left off last year. - I heard the attacking forwards were applying pressure, line after line, in a manner we hadn't completely seen in the last few years. Reminiscent of the late-90s Sioux. - These wins will probably help a number of pairwise comparisons at the end of the year, in addition to being two top-value "bonus" wins for pairwise purposes (road wins over top 15 opponents). [i guess I lied about just wanting to qualify for the tournament. A better seed is always preferable, even if it is no guarantee.] ------------------------------------------ I also think Mankato is going to be tougher than people think. They have traditionally played the Sioux very tough (last Spring being the exception), they had injuries on defense last year that are not currently an issue, and they will be looking for a little payback for last Spring's wipeout by the Sioux.

I don't disagree with your sentiment, but Steve Woog played 16 games as a freshman for NMU's 1991 title team. So the Woog family has one ring.

Jim, You have made an outstanding point. Considering that many of us have thought UND is at its best 5x5, and the team has seemed to struggle on the PP for most of the Blais era, I am concerned about the impact of the new rules on UND. Add in your point about UND's big defensive defensemen perhaps taking a few extra penalties of their own, and it could be quite an adjustment. The fact that UND has terrific talent doesn't seem to matter on the PP, as it seemed to me that even the great 90s teams with Blake and Hoogsteen, and the later teams with Panzer and Roche, had their PP struggles. We will just have to wait and see how it works out.

From the press release: "Kozek, the Eagles current scoring leader had his choice of numerous top programs in the NCAA but chose to join former BCHL players Brady Murray and Travis Zajac at UND." What, no love for Mike Prpich? He was one of the BCHL's MVP's his last year there.

Sagard, I understand your opinion on the Grant/Ryan thing, and I don't have much of an opinion on that one. However, generally, I have always considered Lucia to be a master of the recruiting angle. Ian Peterson to get Toby? Grant to get Ryan? Motzko to get Vanek? Sertich to get Guyer? I don't mean it in a disparaging way at all, as landing Vanek basically landed the second title. I just happen to think this is one of Lucia's real skills in coaching in very competitive times. What does Kessel's dad do, anyway? Or his brother? (the Kessel comment is just a joke; I don't know of anything there.)

I haven't heard whether the Sioux are interested, but another guy to keep an eye on for the future is Brock Trotter at Lincoln in the USHL. Here's a blurb from the Lincoln paper: http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2004/1...9c059870279.txt -------------------------------- ""That week we had to practice after the Buc Bowl made a big difference for us," Johnson said. "We went into the Buc Bowl pretty wore out. We had been going at it about twice a day. And we basically used the Buc Bowl as strictly an evaluation process to look at players. Other teams approached it differently." In that evaluation process, Johnson realized a potential great weapon in Trotter, considered one of the most skilled offensive players on the team. "He's got really good rink sense," Johnson said. "He's a really smart player who just anticipates where the puck's going to be. If he can work on his quickness and strength and develop a little more of a work ethic, he's going to be a great player in this league." Trotter

As Sprig noted, Watkins scored the OT game-winner for Vernon on Saturday against Kozek's Surrey Eagles, and Kozek was held off the scoresheet. On Sunday, Surrey prevailed in OT against Penticton, and the OT game-winner was scored by ... Andrew Kozek. Vernon (5-1-0-2) is off to a fast start, and Watkins is 4-7-11 in 8 games. Surrey (6-1-0-2) also looks to be good, with Kozek at 7-6-13 in 9 games. Salmon Arm (3-6-0-0) is a different story this year, but Duncan has scored regularly, with 6-3-9 in just 6 games.

My thoughts are with the family, which has really been through the ringer the last few years. I hope for some peace for them.

Some info on Watkins: Drafted in round 7 (126 overall) by Kamloops in the WHL. He was the SMAAAHL (Sask. Midget league) Top Forward for 2003-04, and on the First All-Star Team. Going into the national finals last year: "Tisdale [Watkins' midget team] too is no stranger to the event as they make their second appearance in three years. Finishing second in league play the Trojans dumped the first place Saskatoon Contacts in four games in the best-of-five league finals to earn the right to represent the Saskatchewan Hockey Association. The Trojans also provide and good combination of offense and defense. Posting a 9-3 playoff record Dillon Johnstone and Matt Watkins shared the SMAAAHL post-season scoring crown with 16 points apiece. Watkins also led his league in scoring during the regular season 71 points. Mike Reich and Craig Cuthbert also chipped in with eight points apiece."

Greene's offensive game was coming along at the end of last year and I expect him to surprise a few people in that regard this year. In terms of workload, I predict that Greene will see a ton of icetime, especially in the third period.

So far I like the Yeti and the Forkers.

The BCHL comments were here: http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?foru...6&lp=1095055755 Also, Vendevelde is now listed on Heisenberg's site as a 2006 recruit, so that fits with the opinion that he will need a USHL year to get ready.

We can use this thread to look in on the progress of some future Sioux players as they play in high school and various junior leagues. I'd like to try to keep discussion of recruiting and potential future recruits out of this one, if possible. For now, the list of players to watch includes: Zach Jones, USNDPT Chris Vandevelde, Moorhead HS Brad Miller, Green Bay (USHL) T.J. Oshie, Warroad HS Brian Lee, Moorhead HS Ryan Duncan, Salmon Arm (BCHL) Taylor Chorney, Shattuck St.Marys Feel free to post updates throughout the year, especially if someone happens to actually *see* someone play. Thanks. As noted in another thread, Ryan Duncan has begun play in the BCHL. Here are a few observations from the BCHL board: "Salmon Arm fans...a question about little # 22. (I think his name is Ryan Duncan)...this kid was pure magic on Friday night. I forsee him being the leading scorer in the BCHL if he can stay healthy. However, at 5'6" 142 lbs I was waiting for him to get hammered and that's exactly what happened and he didn't finish the game. He also didn't dress last night in Merritt. Can anyone update me on his condition. I would love to see this kid play as often as possible. He took an elbow square in the noggin and I knew he was in trouble (don't think it was on purpose, as someone at 5'6" is going to run into elbows of much bigger players). Thanks in advance." "Ryan Duncan was absolutely unbeleavable on Friday night until he got put out of the game. He is short and his head is at the perfect elbow height but as the season goes on the team will realize the importance of protecting him (I'm sure they have been reminded of this since Friday's game). Reminds me a bit of Cliff Ronning when he played junior and like Ronning he'll have to learn to keep his head up. And I agree that he will be in the top of the scoring heap."

The Sicatoka, Thanks for posting the excerpts from the press report. Reading it gave me a pretty good idea where each of the parties stand, and it's hard to find fault with any of them. Even if Bochenski doesn't get much of an entry-level deal, I can understand his desire to get on with his career. He has had a great Sioux career, and I hope he continues to find success as a professional. Stepping back a bit to consider the overall effect of the NHL's labor situation on UND, I think we as Sioux fans still came out on top. In the absence of an unusual labor situation, I would have expected UND to lose Bochenski and Greene this offseason, with Jones and Parise definite possibilities. It seems that I was wrong about Parise, as he went anyway. Bochenski apparently feels he's ready to go, so the NHL's troubles didn't keep him at UND. However, the Sioux look to have retained both Greene and Jones, which is a bit of a gift. [Warning: Excessive optimism ahead] It's a gift that may keep on giving all season long, as I think those two could represent a defensive pair that will dominate college hockey this year, being well in control of play most of the time they are on the ice.

I don't have anything bad to say about Bochenski at all, so please don't take this as a shot at him. It's just funny that of all Sioux players to choose from as your example, you chose the one that Sioux detractors have attacked for character issues for the last three years. Or maybe that's your point ... I'm not sure.

It could be that there are "at least" 3 future Sioux players on the team. I don't have anyone in particular in mind, but a few of the names have been mentioned here before, another player is a legacy (?, Becker) and another has a relative who is a valued contributor on the Sioux message board, which carries a lot of weight. I'm interested to see how Jordan Willert fares. He's a big strong kid from Minot who only gets to play with and against this kind of talent in the Summer.

Scott, He's way too old for MJ, so I guess it would be Europe or the minors if it's not UND. Some open correspondence: ---------------- Dear Brandon, If Ottawa comes up with a good offer, take it, enjoy the fruits of your past efforts, and make the most of a great opportunity. If Ottawa doesn't get there, please consider that a Hobey year at UND could really help next year's negotiations. Having a great year at UND would clear up the question from non-observer commentators about whether your past success derived from playing with Parise. By the way, it looks like Murray and Zajac can both pass the puck, so you would probably have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate that special finishing talent (playmaking is nice, but someone has to put it in the net). If there are any issues with the coaches (I really have no idea, but there is all this internet buzz) please patch them up for your own good (see above paragraph). Admittedly, it would also be for my own good, as a fan. I had a great view of your burning of Ballard, then Briggs three seconds later, in St. Paul, and I'd like to see more of that. Thanks and good luck. --------------------- Dear Coach Hakstol, See above. If there are issues with how Brandon handled his potential departure (and again, I have no idea), please patch them up for your own good. Make it a learning experience for Brandon. Thanks and good luck.

Slightly off-topic, it sounds as though Travis Zajac is turning heads at the Canadian summer camp being held in Calgary this week. Canada returns most of its WJC team from last year, so there aren't many spots to be had, but he may be playing his way onto the team. If he does, Sioux fans will have a reason to cheer for Canada in most of their games. Murray made similar impressions last year (and may or may not have eventually made the Canadian team), and he turned into a very productive college freshman.

I don't know the exact answer, but I believe generally the process is something like this: The coaches leave this week with a pretty good idea of what their team will look like, with maybe 9 of the 12 forward spots and 4 of the 6 defensemen basically set. Then they watch their bubble guys through the first part of the season, adjust for injuries and NHL teams releasing their players, and finally set the roster in mid-December, just before the tournament. Two years ago, Matt Jones was basically set as a defensemen early in the process, but Matt Greene was a late addition to the team based on his early-season play. Last year, Drew Stafford was a late addition due to injuries (I think). That's just a guess at the process. For another perspective, check out Miracle, where Herb had the team in his head before the camp started.

Reminds me of last year's summer camp, where Parise didn't end up among the scoring leaders. Not that coasting is ever a good thing, but maybe when you know you're expected to be one of the team's leaders, you just don't care quite as much during the summer evaluation camp.

I have one for you, dagies. I chatted with Eades in the Antique in the Spring of 1986. He said they had a goalie coming in that fall they were really excited about. At that time, we didn't know Hrkac was returning, so we didn't know how ridiculous the next year would be, but that was my first indication that 1986-87 would be a memorable year. Edit: Since my parents read this board, I guess they now know that I entered a bar while I was in college. Whoops.

If I had to guess I would think it will be Eades, which would be fine with me.

Any comparison of Montoya's decision and Bochenski's should include this information: Bochenski's date of birth: 4/4/82 Montoya's date of birth: 2/13/85 Maybe Montoya would feel like he has a little less unfinished business if he were 22 years old, instead of the 19 that he is.

jloos, It is still July, more than 2 months before the season starts. In addition, we don't know how long the coaches have known about it. Perhaps the program has been planning this season without him for quite some time. Admittedly, it does throw off the "Lines for 2004-05" thread, but hopefully the fans can adjust.

Good luck to Bochenski and thanks for the contributions over the last three years. People need to remember the player's perspective in a decision like this. These guys dream of advancing in their hockey career, and when you think the time has come to move on, you need to go. Especially for a guy who played a year of juniors after high school, three years in college is plenty. In addition, the summer after a junior season has traditionally been the last time a college player has leverage, since he can threaten to go back to school if the organization doesn't come up with a better offer. I wish Bochenski would come back to be a 100/100 man in the Sioux record books and perhaps win the Hobey, but if he and the Senators feel it's time to go play against bigger and better players, then I wish him well. As for the Sioux, this makes things more difficult. But it's not the end of the world. Stafford is plenty ready to step into the top line on the right side, and a lot of special teams time just opened up for him and others. If the entire defensive corps returns, this team will still be very hard for nearly everyone to handle. A ".500" record won't be much of a concern. However, a defection from that group (and the risk is still there) would really start to have an effect on next year's chances, IMO. Just a reminder that, recently, teams have lost their best players (especially forwards) and gone on to have fantastic seasons. Among them: Michigan won after the Morrison group left. UND won after the Blake group left. BC won after the Farkas/Mottau group left. MN won after Pohl/Taffe/Leopold left.