DAVID!

[11~ZachAttack~11]

did i just hear right? is david playing next weekend

[Siouxrock]

if they make it to next weekend

[leifolson]

If that's true...it'll certainly be nice to have him back. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as if defense has been our biggest problem of late. Scoring 1-2 goals a game is not going to get us to the FF, especially with the inconsistency at goaltending we've had this year.

Who knows...if Hale does return, it might spark something in the team that really gets them going in the Regionals.

[dagies]

At the alumni gathering tonite after the game Tim O'Keefe and Roger Thomas officially announced that David Hale is cleared to play and will be in the lineup should the Sioux make the NCAA's.

Great news for David!

[The Sicatoka]

Not to be too much of a downer here, but how effective is a guy who has been out for two months going to be in the playoffs? I can't imagine, considering the nature of his ailment, that he is in game shape.

[kr]

Effective or not -- it'd be a huge emotional lift -- if he's cleared to play, regardless if he is "game ready", that means he is well on the road to recovery. That is a worry that is gone.

[OETKB]

After being out this long, he will certainly not be at full strength, but it is great news for the team. They've not been the same without him.

Even having lost 20 lbs, I'll bet he will still play excellent positional defense and lay some smack down with his hard checking style. I'm thinking the Sioux will be better with him in there.

Last night, there were LONG stretches of time where Duluth kept the puck in our zone. Hale will help ensure that doesn't happen out East.

[Sioux1]

It will be great to finally have him back.

[dagies]

I think it is just great for David that he could be this healthy again. I share The Sicatoka's concern.

[Siouxrock]

hopefully he dont get sick again

[Superman0099]

This is EXACTLY what the sioux need going into the NCAA's. With Brandt playing well lately, David's return could spark the team to a frozen four showing. My guess is he won't be in that bad of shape, he's probably been working out and skating for a couple weeks now.

[Siouxrock]

they need him to win

i dont no how much better he is sicne he lost all that weight

[Big Lake Vindy]

It's great to hear that David Hale is cleared to play. I do find it odd that a official of the alumni association and the AD, neither of whom are linked to the hockey team would make such an announcement. Being cleared to play and playing are a long way apart. Even to have David in the arena will boost the Sioux. I'll believe he's playing when it comes from the UND coaching staff. It's "Announcements" like that from TO and RT that create the BS that arose from Coach Blais not linking up to "No Class" Eddie Schultz on his radio show. I know that O'Keefe and Thomas like to keep in the limelight but releasing info on a hockey player's return to action based on being cleared to return to practice - C'mon

[airmail]

I'll believe he's playing when it comes from the UND coaching staff. "

Tim H. with CB this morning says yes. There will be limited play, but he'll be there.

[schmidtdoggydog]

From today's Herald:

It appears that junior defenseman David Hale will return to the Sioux lineup this weekend. Hale, who hasn't played since late January because of illness caused by a kidney disorder, has practiced with the team the last two days.

"He's ready to go and feeling well," Berry said. "It's a matter of him getting his legs and getting some conditioning in. You can tell in practice this week that he brings a lot to the table. Practices are more intense with him out there."

[DamStrait]

I'm just glad he seems to have his health issues under control. He's way too young to be suffering through these kind of problems. If he's able to play this weekend it's just icing on the cake.