jk

Thanks for the links. I have to say that I'm not sure Sioux fans fully appreciate the high-level player Stafford is. I know I didn't last year. I saw flashes of brilliance (e.g., a burst of speed that seemed out of sync with his size), but not sustained dominance. I think a lot of that had to do with his age, as he was among the youngest players in all of college hockey. I also wonder if he was fulfilling a non-starring role given him by the coaches: You're young and learning the league, go up and down the wing, make smart plays and get better. Then I felt he faded for a good while after the World Junior tournament. I think the coaches will expect a lot more from him this year, and he will be asked to play a starring offensive role. Although the WJC will again tire him out, at least travel fatigue won't be an issue. The top 10-15 picks in the NHL draft is rarified air, and it should be fun to see his talent develop.

Draft talk has been scattered about in a few threads, so I thought I would start one to consolidate the discussion. Red Line Report has had a few columns in USA Today this week ranking the top goalies, forwards and defensemen for this weekend's draft. Points of Sioux interest are: "Drew Stafford is another big winger with good hands and scoring ability. The bloodline is good too

That's fine, 04Spud. Good luck in school and thanks for contributing here. Please keep us informed of the Moorhead hockey happenings.

04Spud, Surprised because you thought he would wait, or because you thought schools would wait, or for some other reason?

I wish Moreland the best as well, but I agree with your sentiment. If he wants to get on with life and get college started, more power to him. But if he wants to play hockey at UND, his best bet is to go play 60+ games in the USHL against other future Division 1 players. ... I hope he proves us both wrong and excels at UND despite taking an unusual route.

Moreland has shown up on Heisenberg's list of 2005 recruits: Matt Moreland-C (6/8/04) Sioux Falls (USHL) 6' 165 1-13-86 Chris Vandevelde-RW (6/8/04) Moorhead 6'2 180 -87 Brad Miller-LW (3/12/04) Green Bay (USHL) 5'10 170 1-31-86 T.J. Oshie-LC (2/5/04) Warroad 5'10 165 12-23-86 Brian Lee-RD (2/3/04) Moorhead 6'2 180 3-27-87 2003 USA U-17 team Ryan Duncan-RW (12/18/03) Salmon Arm (BCHL) 5'6 155 7-14-85 Taylor Chorney-LD (10/23/03) Shattuck St.Marys 5'10 160 4-27-87 2003 USA U-17 team Luke Beaverson-LD (1/3/03) Green Bay (USHL) 6'3 201 12-11-84 57-1-6-7-141 || 44-2-3-5-69

Nice to see you here, WPOS. From my early season viewings of Briggs, I thought he was good and was going to be MN's starter. I think he is better than last year's numbers, and that he will put up better ones this year. As for UND's strong defense, I agree that it helped to lower the goalies' GAA. When you see not much more than 20 shots per game, you're not going to post a bad GAA. For me, though, the defense does nothing for the saves percentage, which was simply outstanding for both Sioux goalies. Many Sioux fans have believed that Blais' style (offense, offense and then ... more offense) leads to fewer shots against (because the opponent can't get the puck), but higher quality chances (because the Sioux get caught up ice). That would make the saves percentage even more impressive. I will grant you that I had that bad old feeling again watching Brandt in the WCHA title game, his worst of the year, I think. 5 goals on 38 (?) shots isn't horrible, but his few softies definitely didn't inspire confidence. While Hauser got away with a few in the Maine game (not callable unless there's an even-up on tap, which there was), it's only fair to note that Parise had his stick up quite a few times last year, especially against MN. Your hack is my player with an edge.

I'm guessing we will see UND wait on Ammerman and Hardwick to see how they progress this year. The Sioux already have two MN high schoolers coming in (Lee and Chorney), and while they are touted as elite prospects, they will be awfully young for the WCHA battles. Jones sounds like a prospect, and there is also the big country to the North that typically provides some decent hockey players. The coaches could very well have their eyes on someone we have never heard of. I know the POI gang has hinted that MN has had interest in Salmon Arm's Marcuzzi. Since UND obviously saw Salmon Arm last year while recruiting Zajac and Chucko, I'm sure they're aware of him as well.

Bumping this up to satisfy the new requests for info on Miller.

From the River City site: -------------------------- "The Lancers 2004-2005 entry draft had an offensive flavor. On Wednesday, River City picked 11 forwards and three defensemen in its 14 selections.

Very interesting catch. Thanks for pointing it out. I'm sure someone will be able to help with this one. If it's true, then congrats to Matt and please work extra hard next year to get ready.

You can follow the tournament at this site: http://www.hockeycanada.ca/e/championships...2004/index.html

Here's where I am: Some of the information was new to me. It confirmed my earlier understanding that the Edmonton Oilers really like Matt Greene, at least publicly. I had, and continue to have, no idea whether he will join the Oilers organization next year. I will admit to taking the somewhat pessimistic position that I would be naive to be surprised if he does leave.

PCM, I believe THIS is old:

This is from a review of Edmonton's prospects on Hockey's Future. HF is not itself an authoritative source, but the quotes from members of the Edmonton organization are telling (they are still ringing in my ears). --------------------------------------- 6. (9) Matt Greene (D)

Schedule for the Royal Bank Cup: ROYAL BANK CUP (at Grande Prairie, Alta.) May 8 Kindersley vs. Grande Prairie, 7:30 p.m. May 9 Nepean vs. Nanaimo, 2 p.m. Grande Prairie vs. Aurora, 7:30 p.m. May 10 Nepean vs. Kindersley, 2 p.m. Aurora vs. Nanaimo, 7:30 p.m. May 11 Grande Prairie vs. Nepean, 7:30 p.m. May 12 Kindersley vs. Aurora, 2 p.m. Nanaimo vs. Grande Prairie, 7:30 p.m. May 13 Aurora vs. Nepean, 2 p.m. Nanaimo vs. Kindersley, 7:30 p.m. May 15 Sudden-death semi-finals at 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 16 Sudden-death final

Tri-City managed to survive last night in Game 3 of the USHL finals against Waterloo. Here is how it has gone: Game 1: Waterloo 3-2 (SOG Tri-City 32-18, Spirko 0-0-0) Game 2: Waterloo 4-1 (SOG Tri-City 30-18, Spirko 0-0-0) Game 3: Tri-City 4-3 (SOG Tri-City 37-27, Spirko 2-0-2) I know SOG is an overrated statistic, but it looks like Tri-city might be getting out-goaltended. Not only has Tri-City outshot Waterloo in every game so far, they have outshot them in every single period. Spirko took just one shot in the first two games combined, but had four last night. Bubz, Tri-City seems to be loaded with future Division I players. How does Spirko compare to some of the other leaders on the team, like Dingle and Thomas, in terms of ability and future college impact (just your guess)? Thanks.

Someone on USCHO put up a link to the thread there when Pineault committed. There are some classic Chris!!! posts there. These are the best: "If BC gets that Hennesey kid from Milton Academy, they may as well just give us the National Championship Trophy from 2004-2007. Damn, it's nice to be a BC Eagle these days!!!!!!!!!!!" "Can you picture BC's top 2 lines in 2002: Vanek/Spina/Hennessey Parise/Pat Eaves/Pineault Holy Schnikes!!!!!!!!!!" Ahh, the bad old days.

Thought I would pass on that Mr. Lefebvre committed to UMD over the weekend. Congrats to him and to UMD.

Thank you for the early morning laugh ... this one is just priceless.

GP's Doyle Cup schedule (a funky way to schedule a series): The Doyle Cup championship between the Grande Prairie Storm and Nanaimo Clippers will open in Grande Prairie on Tuesday, April 20. The best-of-seven series will continue in Grande Prairie for Game 2 on Wednesday, April 21. A third game will be played in Grande Prairie on Thursday, April 22 if the first two games are split. After the two, or three, Grande Prairie games the series switches to Nanaimo for all remaining games. All games in the series will be played at 7:30 p.m. The Storm defeated the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in five games to win the Alberta Junior Hockey League championship while the Clippers took out the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the same amount of games in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League final. Because the Storm is guaranteed a spot in the Royal Bank Cup May 8-16 in Grande Prairie, the Clippers receive a spot in the national tournament no matter what the outcome of the Doyle Cup.

Thanks, Bubz. I'm anxious to see how Spirko adjusts to the size and speed of the WCHA's players. Also, Grande Prairie won the AJHL playoff title last night, scoring three goals in the last ten minutes to win the game 4-2, and the series 4-1. CC recruit McCullough was named playoff MVP. Congrats to Grande Prairie and Kyle Radke and good luck in the Royal Bank Cup.

Really good stuff, The Sicatoka. Thanks. I have just a few comments. Schneider: He did have some rough outings, but I can also say that I saw him have some outstanding games in the second half. In his sophomore season, he generated a lot of offense by stepping up and blasting a hard shot from the point, which was sometimes deflected or generated a juicy rebound. That seemed to be missing this year. Canady: I thought he cut down on the penalties quite a lot this year. It seemed like the message got through to him, and he basically played straight up when he played. Just checked - here are his numbers: 01-02 36 GP, 4-4-8, 49 PIMs 02-03 26 GP, 1-2-3, 42 PIMs 03-04 19 GP, 2-2-4, 12 PIMs I realize I am in the minority, but I think if he could get a regular shift he could have a solid senior season. He has straightened out the penalty situation and has the tools (good speed and decent size and hands) plus the energy to contribute offensively. Massen: Attributes The Sicatoka mentioned were hands, shot, ability and body. To me, the key attribute that seemed missing when I saw him play was intensity. He needs to **Make It Happen**, rather than waiting for the play to come to him. I agree with many Sioux fans that an effective James Massen could have a huge impact on this team's fortunes. Prpich: Seems to step up his play in the postseason, which is nice. Still, in contrast to Canady, Prpich's penalty situation got quite a lot worse this year (55 PIMs in 40 GP in 02-03, growing to 95 PIMs in 37 GP in 03-04. Considering the reputation he brought to college, I was shocked that he was so disciplined (relative to my expectations) as a freshman. I am a big fan of his game and understand that his role necessarily brings penalties with it, but I hope he cuts down on the needless ones. --------------------------- Stepping away from grades, I thought I would float this one by the Panel of Experts. In the fall of 1999, the first-line void was filled with a big returning goal-scorer (Goren), a highly-touted freshman from the BCHL (Bayda), and a centerman who had labored in the shadow of the big class that just graduated and had shown little hint of what was to come offensively (Ulmer). I think that line was intact for most of the year, and its effectiveness is written into Sioux lore. I'm pondering the possibility of those roles being filled this year by: Bochenski, Zajac and ... (drumroll, please) ... McMahon. I know what his role has been in his first three years, and that he has not been flashy. Still, he has been quietly efficient, and as an example I reference one of the last good scoring chances UND had last year, when Denver made a rare mistake and sprung McMahon and Prpich free on a 2-on-1 late in the second period. McMahon had one job, to get the puck to Prpich in a good spot, and he did it. Perhaps that kind of workmanlike puck-distribution would be good for Bochenski. Likewise, having a center who wins a lot of draws couldn't hurt on the top line. I understand that Zajac on a wing would take away one of the team's centers, but maybe Stafford or Murray are ready to take that spot. I also know that McMahon is a key feature on the checking line, but Fylling and Prpich are fixtures there, and Canady and Kaip might ably fill that spot.

OK, not to disrespect any programs, and we don't really know who will be good next year until it rolls around, but I would "grade" the difficulty of the various weekends as follows (A being the toughest). The grades are based on my opinion that the competition for the WCHA title will be between UND, UMD, Wisconsin, MN and CC. I think MTU, UAA and MSUM will be in the second half of the league next year, even though they might be better than they were this year. A - at Maine B - at Minnesota State A - Minnesota A - at Northeastern/BC A - Colorado College A - at Wisconsin B - St. Cloud State B - at Michigan Tech B - Alaska Anchorage A - at Minnesota Duluth B - Canisius B - Minnesota State A - at Colorado College B - Bemidji State B - Denver B - at Alaska Anchorage A - Wisconsin B - at St. Cloud State Anyway, my point in grading out the weekends is to show my opinion that UND's schedule looks very tough early. Oct. 2 Manitoba (Exhibition), 7:05 p.m. Oct. 8 at Maine, 6:05 p.m. Oct. 9 at Maine, 6:05 p.m. Oct. 15 at Minnesota State*, 7:35 p.m. Oct. 16 at Minnesota State*, 7:05 p.m. Oct. 22 Minnesota*, 7:35 p.m. Oct. 23 Minnesota*, 7:05 p.m. Oct. 29 at Northeastern, 6:05 p.m. Oct. 30 at Boston College, 6:05 p.m. Nov. 5 Colorado College*, 7:35 p.m. Nov. 6 Colorado College*, 7:05 p.m. Nov. 12 at Wisconsin*, 7:05 p.m. Nov. 13 at Wisconsin*, 7:05 p.m. Nov. 19 St. Cloud State*, 7:35 p.m. Nov. 20 St. Cloud State*, 7:05 p.m. Nov. 26 at Michigan Tech*, 6:05 p.m. Nov. 27 at Michigan Tech*, 6:05 p.m. Dec. 3 Alaska Anchorage*, 7:35 p.m. Dec. 4 Alaska Anchorage*, 7:05 p.m. Dec. 10 at Minnesota Duluth*, 7:05 p.m. Dec. 11 at Minnesota Duluth*, 7:05 p.m. Dec. 17 Canisius, 7:35 p.m. Dec. 18 Canisius, 7:05 p.m. Dec. 19 USA World Jr. (exhibition), 2:05 p.m. Jan. 7 Minnesota State*, 7:35 p.m. Jan. 8 Minnesota State*, 7:05 p.m. Jan. 14 at Colorado College*, 8:05 p.m. Jan. 15 at Colorado College*, 8:05 p.m. Jan. 28 Bemidji State, 7:35 p.m. Jan. 29 Bemidji State, 7:05 p.m. Feb. 4 Denver*, 7:35 p.m. Feb. 5 Denver*, 7:05 p.m. Feb. 18 at Alaska Anchorage*, 10:05 p.m. Feb. 19 at Alaska Anchorage*, 10:05 p.m. Feb. 26 Wisconsin*, 2:05 p.m. Feb. 27 Wisconsin*, 2:05 p.m. Mar. 4 at St. Cloud State*, 7:05 p.m. Mar. 5 at St. Cloud State*, 7:05 p.m Also of interest is that there are no weekends off until the Christmas and New Year holidays. Then, in the stretch run, UND takes the weekends of January 21 and February 11 off. If the Sioux want to contend for the WCHA title, they will need to have a big lead going into those last few weeks. Also, while there is a risk of losing momentum, those weekends will give the team a chance to heal and rest up going into the playoffs. (Denver lost all of its momentum in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, and they did OK.)

Ruffian, While I agree that ZP could very well end up looking out of place, when NJ is down 3 games to 1 and scored zero goals in its last game, what exactly do they have to lose in giving him a shot?