2023-24 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[The Sicatoka]

  On 8/15/2023 at 6:19 PM, Scratch said:

Pretty detailed review of this year's squad, especially the dearth of top end talent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wx0735Sijo&ab_channel=HuskiesWarmingHousePodcast

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14 is “two thirds” of 26.

Ethan Frisch was a 200 foot forward.

Don’t waste your time listening to that melee of misinformation and moronic takes. Those are minutes of my life I’ll never get back. 

[tnt]

  On 8/16/2023 at 1:31 AM, The Sicatoka said:

14 is “two thirds” of 26.

Ethan Frisch was a 200 foot forward.

Don’t waste your time listening to that melee of misinformation and moronic takes. Those are minutes of my life I’ll never get back. 

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The one guy couldn’t pronounce Goehring, although maybe they get that by listening to Jim Rich.

[tnt]

  On 8/15/2023 at 10:52 PM, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

I've expected Simpson to coach in some capacity at UND ever since his last game. 

 

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Since they are looking for someone to work with the defense, I would think Smaby and Simpson are probably good guesses.

[stoneySIOUX]

  On 8/15/2023 at 10:52 PM, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

I've expected Simpson to coach in some capacity at UND ever since his last game. 

 

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Much like the Bump to Forks rumor this guy posted, this guy feels like he's making a lot up. Neither Chyz nor Smaby applied for the job, apparently. Sounds like an announcement will happen by the end of the week.

[stoneySIOUX]

  On 8/16/2023 at 1:31 AM, The Sicatoka said:

14 is “two thirds” of 26.

Ethan Frisch was a 200 foot forward.

Don’t waste your time listening to that melee of misinformation and moronic takes. Those are minutes of my life I’ll never get back. 

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I rolled my eyes A LOT lol. 

[stoneySIOUX]

  On 8/16/2023 at 12:36 AM, brianvf said:

Yeah they made a few comments like that which made me think that they didn't have great knowledge of many of the guys (shocker, from a couple podcast guys??).

From looking at this team on paper, I would guess that both our offense and goaltending will be improved.
The d-corps will be a wait-and-see, hopefully the coaches can have them playing up to their potential earlier in the season than what we saw from last year's group.

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They made it sound like we are bringing in a bunch of scrubs. Pehrson, Pyke and Zmolek would be in top 2 pairings across the NCHC. Bubs and company focused on responsibile d-men because they realize what we have up front and also what we have coming in the pipeline. 

[siouxfan512]

  On 8/1/2023 at 7:03 PM, Kevin G said:

Dangit, I hate the end of summer. Even though it means college hockey is getting closer, I still hate the end of summer. 

Now I've got to go outside and work, even though it's so hot. Ugh.

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Its bittersweet. Closer to closing up the cabin, putting the fishing stuff away along with all the other fun summer things.

But, we get the nice Fall weather. Football, closer to hockey and kids go back to school.

I love fall, just not so crazy about what comes after that.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

  On 8/16/2023 at 1:48 PM, siouxfan512 said:

Its bittersweet. Closer to closing up the cabin, putting the fishing stuff away along with all the other fun summer things.

But, we get the nice Fall weather. Football, closer to hockey and kids go back to school.

I love fall, just not so crazy about what comes after that.

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Exactly, the after fall part is when you question why the hell I live here. And Spring through Fall reminds me. It's a never-ending cycle.

[ChadR]

  On 8/16/2023 at 6:03 AM, stoneySIOUX said:

Much like the Bump to Forks rumor this guy posted, this guy feels like he's making a lot up. Neither Chyz nor Smaby applied for the job, apparently. Sounds like an announcement will happen by the end of the week.

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Who are you guessing gets it?

[Goon]

  On 8/15/2023 at 10:52 PM, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

I've expected Simpson to coach in some capacity at UND ever since his last game. 

 

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I thought I heard that Smaby didn't apply, but I could be wrong. Since he's the head coach of the Waterloo Blackhawks. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

  On 8/16/2023 at 6:03 AM, stoneySIOUX said:

Much like the Bump to Forks rumor this guy posted, this guy feels like he's making a lot up. Neither Chyz nor Smaby applied for the job, apparently. Sounds like an announcement will happen by the end of the week.

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Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. Steward seems unlikely too.

[Goon]

  On 8/16/2023 at 6:09 AM, stoneySIOUX said:

They made it sound like we are bringing in a bunch of scrubs. Pehrson, Pyke and Zmolek would be in top 2 pairings across the NCHC. Bubs and company focused on responsibile d-men because they realize what we have up front and also what we have coming in the pipeline. 

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They lost me at Huskies Warming House Podcast. Feldy gave us a pretty good rundown on Zmolek during the UND hockey Podcast, earlier this year after he was signed with UND. I don't recall what podcast it was, but he gave us a pretty good scouting report on what to expect with him. 

[Kevin G]

It would seem our small forwards have GROWN.

Jackson Blake

• 2022 ht/wt: 5'11"/165.
• 2023 ht/wt: 5'11"/173. +8 lbs

Owen McLaughlin

• 2022 ht/wt: 6'0"/156.
• 2023 ht/wt: 6'0"/172. +16 lbs

Riese Gaber

• 2022 ht/wt: 5'8"/163.
• 2023 ht/wt: 5'8"/170. +7 lbs

Griffin Ness

• 2022 ht/wt: 5'11"/170.
• 2023 ht/wt: 6'0"/184. +1 inch/+14 lbs

I take roster specs with a grain of salt, but assuming these heights/weights are relatively accurate, this is very impressive (assuming that the extra weight is mostly muscle). OMac and Ness in particular stand out. I think it's fair to assume that these weight gains represent many hours in the gym and likely a lot of discipline when it comes to nutrition. And Mark Poolman's guidance. Atta-boys all around.

[KSSioux]

  On 8/16/2023 at 5:19 PM, Kevin G said:

It would seem our small forwards have GROWN.

Jackson Blake

• 2022 ht/wt: 5'11"/165.
• 2023 ht/wt: 5'11"/173. +8 lbs

Owen McLaughlin

• 2022 ht/wt: 6'0"/156.
• 2023 ht/wt: 6'0"/172. +16 lbs

Riese Gaber

• 2022 ht/wt: 5'8"/163.
• 2023 ht/wt: 5'8"/170. +7 lbs

Griffin Ness

• 2022 ht/wt: 5'11"/170.
• 2023 ht/wt: 6'0"/184. +1 inch/+14 lbs

I take roster specs with a grain of salt, but assuming these heights/weights are relatively accurate, this is very impressive (assuming that the extra weight is mostly muscle). OMac and Ness in particular stand out. I think it's fair to assume that these weight gains represent many hours in the gym and likely a lot of discipline when it comes to nutrition. And Mark Poolman's guidance. Atta-boys all around.

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It is always interesting to see the comparisons from year to year.  I hope the weight gains are accurate.  I see it as especially important for McLaughlin to have gained muscle weight over the summer with Pooly's assistance.  I would love him to be our second line center, but he needed to improve his strength on faceoffs.  I think his talent is there to handle that with the increased confidence of being 55-60% on faceoffs and having the puck more offensively.  Gaber would also benefit from the extra muscle weight.

Again, hope these are accurate, but am excited for the season to start.

[fightingsioux4life]

  On 8/16/2023 at 6:09 AM, stoneySIOUX said:

They made it sound like we are bringing in a bunch of scrubs. Pehrson, Pyke and Zmolek would be in top 2 pairings across the NCHC. Bubs and company focused on responsibile d-men because they realize what we have up front and also what we have coming in the pipeline. 

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Did we have a brief dip in recruiting? Yes.

Does it look like we are rebounding in that department? Yes.

Will we get every high-ranked recruit we go after? No.

Obviously we'll know more once October rolls around, but there is reasonable cause for optimism and expectations for a bounce-back year are not out of line.

[SiouxForever]

Make the National tournament and go from there or season is a bust.

[MGsioux]

  On 8/15/2023 at 10:38 PM, Scratch said:

My guess is maybe sneak into the tournament and lose but most likely end in the 20s in pairwise. Total wildcard with the new D

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Scratch I don't know where you came from  but you sound a lot like eeyore.  I could not disagree with you more , this team has reloaded and will be back big time this year.  Top 5 in the nation by Christmas.  Please feel free to copy this because when they are top 5 I am coming back with an I Told you so.  GOSIOUX 

[fightingsioux4life]

  On 8/16/2023 at 9:33 PM, MGsioux said:

Scratch I don't know where you came from  but you sound a lot like eeyore.  I could not disagree with you more , this team has reloaded and will be back big time this year.  Top 5 in the nation by Christmas.  Please feel free to copy this because when they are top 5 I am coming back with an I Told you so.  GOSIOUX 

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I smell a troll. Ignore him and he'll go away.

[burd]

  On 8/16/2023 at 6:46 PM, SiouxForever said:

Make the National tournament and go from there or season is a bust.

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Pretty much.   They have the talent and coaching to make the tourney and possibly have some success there.   On paper.   Never know.  

[stoneySIOUX]

  On 8/16/2023 at 9:55 PM, fightingsioux4life said:

I smell a troll. Ignore him and he'll go away.

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Samsies. I question if he knows what the word "dearth" means 

[Frozen4sioux]

  On 8/16/2023 at 10:19 PM, burd said:

Pretty much.   They have the talent and coaching to make the tourney and possibly have some success there.   On paper.   Never know.  

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Making the tourney needs to be a minimum expectation.

Every year. Too many advantages for that not to be the expectation.

I like the chances that that minimum will be met this season.

Color me optimistic.

[Scratch]

Hey I hope they’re too 5 by Christmas too! And I don’t think it’s impossible, just unlikely. That we’re talking about making the tournament as a measure of success  instead of winning it doesn’t inspire confidence 

[scpa0305]

  On 8/17/2023 at 12:00 AM, Frozen4sioux said:

Making the tourney needs to be a minimum expectation.

Every year. Too many advantages for that not to be the expectation.

I like the chances that that minimum will be met this season.

Color me optimistic.

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Depends on how the team gels…how the new faces fit in and perform. Last years team (on paper) should have been very solid. The dcore looked really really solid. They simply underperformed.

[siouxfan512]

  On 8/17/2023 at 6:25 AM, Scratch said:

Hey I hope they’re too 5 by Christmas too! And I don’t think it’s impossible, just unlikely. That we’re talking about making the tournament as a measure of success  instead of winning it doesn’t inspire confidence 

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I feel like using the tournament as a measure of success is more based on the past than the future. The expectation for me is to always be in the Frozen Four. Hak did it for years and Berry has struggled. I'm not sure how many times Berry has missed the tourney and usually when he makes it, it comes with an early exit. (This is not meant to be a knock on Berry; not bringing up that discussion) BUT given those kinds of issues over the past several years, its fair for "making the tournament" to be a conversation piece.

I was definitely nervous at the end of last season given who all we were losing, but given our additions ... my expectation remains the same this team needs to make the Frozen Four. I don't think there is any question that UND has had talent, but they seem to have lacked chemistry. Hope they start clicking this year and really hope the new guys jump in and make a splash.

[fightingsioux4life]

  On 8/17/2023 at 6:25 AM, Scratch said:

Hey I hope they’re too 5 by Christmas too! And I don’t think it’s impossible, just unlikely. That we’re talking about making the tournament as a measure of success  instead of winning it doesn’t inspire confidence 

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I have been frustrated with this team's lack of success recently. The over-reliance on the transfer portal, the harping on "culture" while we keep losing games and leads, the recent dip in recruiting quality and other things. But there is a reasonable case to be made for optimism this year:

• Last year's freshmen will be sophomores and should take another step forward.
• This year's freshmen look very talented and will get better as the season goes on.
• The portal additions look solid (not spectacular, but solid) and should help shore up the defense until the young guys figure it out.

Now that being said, these guys have to get on the same page quickly so the team doesn't get too far behind in the standings and PWR. If we have another season like last season, I will be concerned and frustrated because that means the coaching staff didn't really make the changes they needed to make. But I am willing to give the coaches and players the benefit of the doubt until I see reason not to.

I don't think things are as bleak as you believe they are. We'll know more by Christmas.