Non-UND College Hockey 2025-26

[nascar99]

6 minutes ago, tnt said:

So, we have gone from them outshining us for the past three or four years, to them being terrible so why would anyone commit there?  Wasn’t it just a few months ago people were wondering if we could get any studs to commit here anymore with our track record.  Say what you want, but Motzko’s path has been very similar to Hakstol’s, just hasn’t been able to win the big one.

Motzko is a good coach but still only has 2 Frozen Four appearances & 1 Runner Up in the 6 seasons (2020 doesn't count as a season since no tournament) he's been there. 2022 was a great coaching job to get them there (aided by a massive collapse/choke from UMass in the 1st Round). 2023 was one of the best rosters Minnesota has put together, but Motzko was a big reason why they choked in the National Championship game. Since the collapse in Tampa, Minnesota has taken a small step back. It now looks like Motzko is way better than Berry was, but we'll see if Motzko adapts to a new environment, one in which two of his conference rivals are poised to take massive steps above his program.

Hakstol had 4 Frozen Four appearances, 1 Runner Up in his first 6 seasons as North Dakota head coach. Despite not getting it done in the Frozen Four, Hakstol was still a bit better than recent Motzko IMHO. 

[tnt]

1 hour ago, nascar99 said:

Motzko is a good coach but still only has 2 Frozen Four appearances & 1 Runner Up in the 6 seasons (2020 doesn't count as a season since no tournament) he's been there. 2022 was a great coaching job to get them there (aided by a massive collapse/choke from UMass in the 1st Round). 2023 was one of the best rosters Minnesota has put together, but Motzko was a big reason why they choked in the National Championship game. Since the collapse in Tampa, Minnesota has taken a small step back. It now looks like Motzko is way better than Berry was, but we'll see if Motzko adapts to a new environment, one in which two of his conference rivals are poised to take massive steps above his program.

Hakstol had 4 Frozen Four appearances, 1 Runner Up in his first 6 seasons as North Dakota head coach. Despite not getting it done in the Frozen Four, Hakstol was still a bit better than recent Motzko IMHO. 

Hakstol is no doubt a better coach than Motzko, but I do think Motzko has done a decent job and constructed a roster that had a good mix of role players and elite talent.  It will be interesting to see how the players that aren’t top round NHL drafted  from the CHL transition to college.  I have a feeling many will struggle just like typical freshmen.  We just need to worry about ourselves and get back to having that good mix of players that are committed to the program and the work ethic expected.  Our identity needs to be more than the shiny new transfer portal and CHL additions.

[nascar99]

Looks like Ilia Morozov (2008) will be playing for Miami as a 17 year old freshman for his draft year.

 

[cberkas]

I always thought Minnesota was better with only Minnesota kids. 

[nascar99]

1 minute ago, cberkas said:

I always thought Minnesota was better with only Minnesota kids. 

It's unlikely they win another National Championship with that philosophy, especially since every Canadian is NCAA eligible now.

[nascar99]

Michigan Michigan State poised to have more & more great rivalry games for the short to medium term future. Both getting great players

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Back to the Motzko talk, Mason West told the Strib he wasn't really recruited by the Gophers. Also said MSU being the first to reach out played a part in his decision.

[nascar99]

4 hours ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Back to the Motzko talk, Mason West told the Strib he wasn't really recruited by the Gophers. Also said MSU being the first to reach out played a part in his decision.

Wonder if that rumor about a potential car versus pedestrian accident that I keep seeing hints about on Twitter had anything to do with it. Or if the possibility of West playing football cooled any interest Motzko & the Gophers had.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

54 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

Wonder if that rumor about a potential car versus pedestrian accident that I keep seeing hints about on Twitter had anything to do with it. Or if the possibility of West playing football cooled any interest Motzko & and Gophers had.

Oh yeah, completely forgot about that. Probably for the best to get out of town for college.