fargosioux Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 David Vest The Arizona Republic Jun. 8, 2004 12:00 AM The Coyotes are expected to announce the signing of University of Minnesota junior defenseman Keith Ballard today, according to people within the organization. Ballard, who could not be reached for comment, was one of 10 finalists for this past season's Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top Division I hockey player. The Coyotes acquired Ballard's rights from the Colorado Avalanche on March 9 in the trade that also brought defenseman Derek Morris to Phoenix for center Chris Gratton, defenseman Ossi Vaananen and a second-round draft pick in 2005. Ballard (5 feet 11, 200 pounds), from Baudette, Minn., notched 11 goals and 25 assists in 37 games in his junior season at Minnesota. He recently helped the U.S. team earn a bronze medal at the IIHF World Championships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WPoS Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 more dancing in the streets this year in ND I'd bet. This does kinda suck for the Gophers and helps all of our opponents...my favorite memory will be Ballard pulling the jersey over the head of the Sioux player and then going up ice to score... This most likely means Vanek will also be gone this year...may be a tough row to hoe... I'll congratulate you guys on the WCHA title right now. WPoS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCM Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 my favorite memory will be Ballard pulling the jersey over the head of the Sioux player and then going up ice to score... Your favorite memory of Ballard will be of him cheating to win? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Your favorite memory of Ballard will be of him cheating to win? Cheating is such an ugly word. I like to think of it as getting away with unsportsmanlike conduct. It sounds better, but it still wasn't called. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taz Boy Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 That is my most vulgar memory of Ballard. Desecrating a national monument, an American icon, like that. No respect I say. I also remember the muffinhead anchors on the news giggling after showing that footage. I knew then it was the beginning of a long bumpy road against the Gophs. And it was. taz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottM Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Well, it's still early in the summer, so Sioux fans may not want to start dancing yet. We still have some of our own guys who could take the $$$ and run. That said, I am so glad to see Ballard gone. He's a guy you would love to see on your own squad, but hate to see lining up on the other side. Best of luck Keith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WPoS Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 PCM, Sic, Taz, Like if a Sioux player did that you wouldn't find the "good" in it...don't be a hypocrite! WPoS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goon Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 PCM, Sic, Taz, Like if a Sioux player did that you wouldn't find the "good" in it...don't be a hypocrite! WPoS No if a Sioux player had done that it would have been a smart play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 I've come down on Sioux players for being unsportsmanlike or ungentlemanly. I'm being consistent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WPoS Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 I've come down on Sioux players for being unsportsmanlike or ungentlemanly. I'm being consistent. "ungentlemanly"...in HOCKEY!??!?!?? Somehow those two words strike me as somewhat being antonyms WPoS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Well, it's still early in the summer, so Sioux fans may not want to start dancing yet. We still have some of our own guys who could take the $$$ and run. That said, I am so glad to see Ballard gone. He's a guy you would love to see on your own squad, but hate to see lining up on the other side. Best of luck Keith. amen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagard Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 The thing about the "Ballard Play" was that the Sioux had owned the Gophs for basically five years, especially in the games that counted. The Gophs had done very well against the Sioux that season, but I was still worried about that best of three series. When the Gophs grinded out that OT game, including a huge save by Hauser on I think Bayda all alone in the slot, I thought it was finally the Gophers year. Basically that play served as payback for the all too frequent third period collapses in Grand Forks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1siouxfan22 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Ballard should be a solid nhl player like Leopold is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagard Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Ballard should be a solid nhl player like Leopold is. I've never thought Ballard was anywhere near Leopold or Martin in defensive ability and I have always questioned whether or not he could make it to the NHL. Everybody else has always loved him, and obviously he will get a shot at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sicatoka Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Official: Ballard a Coyote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyeagle Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 No if a Sioux player had done that it would have been a smart play. So true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.B.T.G. Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 One down one to go......come on Vanek sign with the Sabres!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyeagle Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 One down one to go......come on Vanek sign with the Sabres!!!! One down, one to go....come on Bo, sign with The Sens.!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.B.T.G. Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagard Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 One down, one to go....come on Bo, sign with The Sens.!! Forget Bo. Let get Greene, Jones or both inked. Then I'd say the WCHA would be officially up for grabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCM Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 PCM, Sic, Taz, Like if a Sioux player did that you wouldn't find the "good" in it...don't be a hypocrite! If a Sioux player did the same thing, I'd probably think it was a funny moment to remember. However, for a player of Ballard's caliber, I'd think that Gopher fans could hang their nostalgia hats on a big play he made that didn't involve winning a playoff game by resorting to "unsportsmanlike conduct." And I'd be embarrassed if my homer TV sportscasters continually talked about that illegal play and used it as Sioux highlight reel material. But that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagard Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 If a Sioux player did the same thing, I'd probably think it was a funny moment to remember. However, for a player of Ballard's caliber, I'd think that Gopher fans could hang their nostalgia hats on a big play he made that didn't involve winning a playoff game by resorting to "unsportsmanlike conduct." And I'd be embarrassed if my homer TV sportscasters continually talked about that illegal play and used it as Sioux highlight reel material. But that's just me. Don't alot of longtime Sioux fans fondly remember J. Archibalds fights vs. the 37 goals he scored his senior year? Ballard's play will always be near the top of a Gopher fan's list of favorites. Other than his opening goal in the '02 Final, it was likely his most significant goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCM Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Other than his opening goal in the '02 Final, it was likely his most significant goal. Honsetly, I don't see why. Do you really believe that the Sioux were capable of winning a best of three series against the Gophers that season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyeagle Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Honsetly, I don't see why. Do you really believe that the Sioux were capable of winning a best of three series against the Gophers that season? I did. After 3-4 years of UND beating MN like a rug there had to be a little voice in the back of the Gopher player's heads telling them they could still loose the series. It's just Ballard's little voice was a little more...ahem....agressive than most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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