2023 Early Departures & Portal Transfers

[siouxforce19]

1 minute ago, Big A HG said:

 

I've never signed an NLI so I don't know the full extent of what they're signing, but generally isn't there an out with an NIL if a coach were to leave since you're really not only signing to play for a program, you're also signing to play for a coach?

 

From a raw athletics point of view, NIL sucks.  From a neutral point of view, NIL makes sense.  You go to college as a foundation for the start of your career.  For some, athletics will become their career, for some it's the academics, and for others it's the opportunity for both.  If a kid has an opportunity to improve that foundation, they shouldn't be locked in anywhere and should be able to make the best choice for their future.

I had always thought that coaching changes give you an out on the NLI. If there’s not a coaching change and you ask for a release, the school can restrict where you can go, but I don’t think this happens all that much. 

[Godsmack]

40 minutes ago, SiouxFanatic said:

They’ve taken the coaches, might as well take some of the players too.

The optics of this type of situation doesn’t look good. Motzko did the same exact thing when he left St. Cloud for Minnesota. I’m sure it isn’t the first or last time something like this happens to a program. “Thank you for letting me serve as your school’s head coach, I’ll be forever grateful….now let me poach as many good current and prospective players from you as I possibly can.” 

[The Sicatoka]

@Big A HGyou may have written "NIL" where you meant "NLI" a couple times. 

[bale31]

52 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Someone check on @bale31. 

I'm all good. We already knew about this one. I suspect that there will be another one going there. 

On another note, this response yesterday to all of this from one of our players showed some serious leadership. I have to admit, I'm not so sure I'd have the maturity to fight through like this.

 

[The Sicatoka]

17 minutes ago, Big A HG said:

I've never signed an NLI so I don't know the full extent of what they're signing, but generally isn't there an out with an NIL if a coach were to leave since you're really not only signing to play for a program, you're also signing to play for a coach?

In a word: Nope.

Quote

The NLI is binding even if the coach who offered the letter leaves the college.

https://www.ncsasports.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-national-letter-of-intent#:~:text=The NLI is a binding,aid for one academic year. 

[The Sicatoka]

2 minutes ago, bale31 said:

I'm all good. We already knew about this one. I suspect that there will be another one going there.

Silye? 

[Big A HG]

39 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

@Big A HGyou may have written "NIL" where you meant "NLI" a couple times. 

 

Ope, yep....going from all the talk about NIL lately I brain-farted my way through the rest of my message about NLI.  Somehow I managed to get the first NLI right.  It's only Tuesday and the brain is already dead.

[fightingsioux4life]

51 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

In a word: Nope.

https://www.ncsasports.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-national-letter-of-intent#:~:text=The NLI is a binding,aid for one academic year. 

Doesn't the portal make that rule null and void?

[DL Sioux]

8 minutes ago, fightingsioux4life said:

Doesn't the portal make that rule null and void?

My guess would be you can't enter the transfer portal until you have enrolled at a school.

 

[The Sicatoka]

Sign an NLI and you must spend a year in residence at the school. Period.

The only exception: If the school releases you. 

It's in the link I previously provided. 

[90siouxfan]

Perhaps pay back the scholarship funds would put a dampner on this free for all

[DL Sioux]

36 minutes ago, SiouxFanSince1990 said:

Should you not be required to make some sort of “commitment”. 

I'm all for some sort of commitment!!! Not a fan of NIL or transfer portal.

[nodakvindy]

4 hours ago, The Sicatoka said:

The evil of the portal is going on full display for all to see.

Wisconsin will pluck MSU-Mankato of recruits and select players via the portal. And the rest of us can only watch in amazed horror. 

 

I wonder if a school could put escalators in a contract buyout tied to existing/committed players leaving to the same school as the coach within say 90 days. At least make it hurt a little.

[sioux rube]

All things portal 

 

https://www.therinklive.com/mens-college/2023-mens-college-hockey-transfer-portal?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

[brianvf]

Matt Staudacher, Dman from UMN, entered the portal.
He's a leftie, but he does have two years of eligibility left.

Maybe someone for Berry to check out...although he's a MI native so UM or MSU wouldn't be a surprise destination for him.

[jk]

Ideal use of the portal would be to get a D with one year left (Pyke), with two, and maybe even with three, to balance out the classes a bit. 

[brianvf]

Perets, QU goalie, has signed as well.
That means that all starting goalies from the Frozen Four have signed now except for UMN goalie (so) Close.

[fightingsioux4life]

20 minutes ago, brianvf said:

Perets, QU goalie, has signed as well.
That means that all starting goalies from the Frozen Four have signed now except for UMN goalie (so) Close.

IALTO! 

[cberkas]

1 hour ago, brianvf said:

Matt Staudacher, Dman from UMN, entered the portal.
He's a leftie, but he does have two years of eligibility left.

Maybe someone for Berry to check out...although he's a MI native so UM or MSU wouldn't be a surprise destination for him.

GPL was talking about he red shirted and he was coming back.

[siouxforce19]

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/defenseman-bennett-zmolek-commits-to-und

[brianvf]

5 minutes ago, siouxforce19 said:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/defenseman-bennett-zmolek-commits-to-und

NICE!!

[brianvf]

And...a RH shot.
And...he has THREE years left of eligibility.
Awesome, great get for Berry and staff.

[brianvf]

44 minutes ago, cberkas said:

GPL was talking about he red shirted and he was coming back.

He did redshirt, but he just entered the portal today so looks like he's going elsewhere.

[SiouxScore]

Thought Zmolek was a good possibility just from the podcast last week and he definitely fits a lot of our needs.

[brianvf]

Quote

He sat out last season recovering from hip surgery, which was completed Nov. 3.

"Everything is going well," said Zmolek, who started skating again in February. "So far, so good with everything on the ice."

Zmolek will have three years of college eligibility remaining at UND.

The Fighting Hawks appear to have six of eight spots solidified on the defense.

Alaska captain Garrett Pyke, a senior, and Zmolek are coming in as transfers.

Four rookies are expected to come — Vegas Golden Knights draft pick Abram Wiebe of the Chilliwack Chiefs, Minnesota Wild draft pick Nate Benoit of the Waterloo Black Hawks, draft-eligible Jake Livanavage of the Chicago Steel and right-handed Tanner Komzak of the Whitecourt Wolverines.

Draft-eligible Andrew Strathmann of the Youngstown Phantoms is a possibility.

The Fighting Hawks will target one more veteran defenseman in the transfer portal, too.

Getting closer on defense.  Just need to nail down if Strathmann is coming or not and grab one or two more portals depending on that decision.
IMO, they've snagged some excellent portal guys...Persson, Berg, Zmolek, Pyke, Johannes...all should be able to contribute nicely next season.