schmidtdoggydog Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Coach Hakstol was present and had the following comments (standard disclaimer applies): He described the WCHA season as "wacky" and said that since the league format went to a 28-game season, this year is the closest the point spread has been between first and last, which shows good balance. He feels that any team can win on any given night. He said that finishing fifth was not the team's goal, but home ice was and now they need to build off of that. He said that the team had two very good weekends against Wisconsin and St. Cloud. The Wisco series was UND's most complete performance of the year over 120 minutes. He described UW as sneaky good. He said they have some very good talent, but play a very structured system. He felt the performance in St. Cloud was good, but not as good as against UW. He said that Friday UND didn't come out with a jump in their step and that may have been because they were on the road, but they recovered nicely and had a good performance after that. He was very happy with Saturday's performance. He mentioned that other than Rylan Kaip being out, UND is at full health throughout the lineup for the first time since mid-October. He said Schneider is still battling the flu, but it has been four days now so he should be good to go and is practicing. He did say that AS fell ill during Friday night's game and left some of his lunch on the bench during the third. He also said that this team will only go as far as the juniors and seniors will take them. He acknowledged that most of the skill is in the first two classes and that the majority of the upperclassmen are role players, but stressed the importance of their performance and how much they all need to step up and play well. He said there is a lot of character in the lockerroom and the older guys have been playing better of late and that needs to continue. He also said that the Massen/Canady/Fabian line has been arguably their best and most productive line over the last three weeks, extending back to the UAA series. He specifically said that Massen and Canady are both playing the best hockey of their careers. DH stated that Parise has been outstanding of late and they will ride him as long as they can. He didn't say that Phil wouldn't play again this season as they might need him if this series goes three or if they make it to the Final Five and win the play in game (also noted that Phil is a very capable goalie and they have a lot of faith in him). But, he stated that Parise is doing everything right. He mentioned that it goes beyond stopping the puck. He noted that JP's been in good position, has been anticipating the play and doing what is expected of him. A question was asked about recruits that have signed. DH said that Lee was a very deserving recipient of MN Mr. Hockey. He mentioned the other two defensive recruits and touched briefly on how the three guys are doing in the BCHL. He said Watkins is one of the best two-way players in the league and noted that the other two have done well scoring goals. He admitted there will be some adjustment next year for the new guys, but said they will get their feet wet fast. UND opens with a home exhibition game against Manitoba and then travels to Dayton, Ohio, for the Lefty McFadden tournament to start the season. While there, they will play Miami of Ohio and Michigan State. The remainder of the schedule hasn't yet been made public. He also mentioned that two more players likely will need to be signed for next season due to the number of seniors UND loses. He said Duluth is playing as well as anybody right now and they are in a precarious spot, nationally, and know they likely have to win the WCHA tourney to get a national berth. So he said they will be ready to go and UND will have to be too. He said it is spring break so tickets will be available. Saturday's game has been moved to 7:37 start to accomodate the women's bb regional at the Betty. If game three is necessary that will be at 7:07. Noted that UND was sitting at a #2 seed currently, on the national scene and that a series win this weekend and a win in St. Paul would go help them lock up what could remain as a #2 seed, but a spot in the national tourney nonetheless. He noted that they weren't looking ahead to St. Paul though and that their entire focus is on UMD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Thanks schmidt. I hope they bring in more players next year to give the team more depth. Find some free walk-on players if you have to. For everyone giving Wisconsin a bad time for changing for basketball, REA is almost as bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siouxtatoo42 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Thanks schmidt. I hope they bring in more players next year to give the team more depth. Find some free walk-on players if you have to. For everyone giving Wisconsin a bad time for changing for basketball, REA is almost as bad. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i'm going to imagine that wisconsin didn't just build a fully functional BETTY SIOUX CENTER SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jloos Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 A question was asked about recruits that have signed. DH said that Lee was a very deserving recipient of MN Mr. Hockey. He mentioned the other two defensive recruits and touched briefly on how the three guys are doing in the BCHL. He said Watkins is one of the best two-way players in the league and noted that the other two have done well scoring goals. He also mentioned that two more players likely will need to be signed for next season due to the number of seniors UND loses. Thanks for the recap - I'll have to check out the Fargo Boosters after I find a job, assuming there are some in Fargo Lee is a class act - a very humble kid who hates publicity. His only knock IMO is he puts to much pressure on himself, especially in big games - which affects his performance. If Vandy or Oshie have a good spring in the USHL I wonder if Hak will bring them in next year? It sounds like Miller may not be ready to play in the fall - rotator cuff surgery has a very long recovery period. Hopefully Moreland can make the roster - but realistically I see that as very unlikely. They will probably sign that kid leading the BCHL or that Boll kid from Lincoln. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianvf Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 We also need a 3rd goalie. I'd say go with that Smith kid that plays for Holy Angels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 We also need a 3rd goalie. I'd say go with that Smith kid that plays for Holy Angels. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sounds good to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMT Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 They will probably sign that kid leading the BCHL or that Boll kid from Lincoln. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> They're probably both good players, but I'd be surprised if that happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 They're probably both good players, but I'd be surprised if that happens. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I still don't see Reaney being signed by UND. If he was going to be signed, he would have been already. Hakstol probably is interested, but the USCHO report said that he hadn't recieved the deal he wanted. Meaning Hakstol either A) invited him to walk B) offered him a half schollie or C) did something else that didn't involve a schollie the first year (can he promise a schollie for a sophomore season before a player's freshman season?). I would be VERY surprised if Reaney signed with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 That's why I say bring Vandevelde in a year early. Leave Oshie and Miller in the USHL. If they need another slot, get Finley (is that his name? That big guy 6'7" bahemoth) or let Moreland take a shot for a year. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oshie is probably the top forward in the state and also would have been deserving of the Mr. Hockey award. It was nice to see Brian Lee get it, but I bet Oshie was a very close 2nd. I think a year in juniors would benefit Vandevelde more than Oshie. I believe if they bring anyone in early, it will be Oshie. If he doesn't come in, he'll probably have a Bochenski-like year in the USHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamsioux Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Hakstol has stated a few times lately on the radio that it might not be known for a few months still if Oshie and Vandevelde will be on campus next fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jk Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 I have no idea, but I wouldn't be surprised if their early arrival hinges on developments on three fronts: 1. Kaip's health 2. Miller's health 3. Stafford or any other forward's early departure for the pros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprig Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Thanks for the "real" report, schmitty,after several weeks of sudo reporting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Yeah, ya can't make that stuff up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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