Oshie Interview

[Sioux Traveler]

St Louis Blues Web site.

Click on watch the commercial.

Then off to the right

http://blues.nhl.com/team/app/?service=pag...rticleid=336091

[Siouxdonyms]

I don't think I've seen a hill in North Dakota yet, not even 20 feet.

[Rick]

I don't think I've seen a hill in North Dakota yet, not even 20 feet.

Hey, I believe the I-29 railroad overpass down by the Mayville approaches 21 or 22 feet. I believe I can see the State Capitol Building in Bismarck when I reach the peak. :-)

[sprig]

I don't think I've seen a hill in North Dakota yet, not even 20 feet.

You've got to try somewhere beyond the RRV

[Siouxdonyms]

Hey, I believe the I-29 railroad overpass down by the Mayville approaches 21 or 22 feet. I believe I can see the State Capitol Building in Bismarck when I reach the peak. :-)

On my trips down to SoDak to see my parents, that was always the highlight of the trip!

[Sioux Traveler]

You can see so far across the horizon, that you can see the back of your head!!!

[Sodbuster]

Follow along the Goose River west from Hillsboro to around Northwood.....you'll see lots of hills, very pretty country, and thousands of deer, turkeys, etc. Sometimes you have to get off the beaten path.

[Goon]

Hey, I believe the I-29 railroad overpass down by the Mayville approaches 21 or 22 feet. I believe I can see the State Capitol Building in Bismarck when I reach the peak. :-)

Actually the Bridge at Cummings ND just south of Buxton is supposed to be the highest point on I-29 in ND...

[Goon]

You've got to try somewhere beyond the RRV

Sprig is right, I have walked over and down a few of them out west. The RRV is god awfully ugly compared to out west where the deer and the antelope play... Bismarck, Turtle Mountains, Medora, Dickenson hwy 2 going to Minot, now there are hills.

[Rick]

St Louis Blues Web site.

Click on watch the commercial.

Then off to the right

http://blues.nhl.com/team/app/?service=pag...rticleid=336091

As you listen to that interview you get a glimpse of what makes Sioux Hockey special. While the star players in other programs can't wait to get out, Sioux players like Oshie, Toews, Duncan, Chorney, Finley.....the list is very long, have an extremely hard time leaving. Oshie says it's like a family, and we see that year after year. How many times, over the last 4-5 years, have we heard about other programs star freshmen players packing it in during the second half of the season because they can't wait to get out? When you hear about a star player moving all his stuff out the day after his last game as a freshman, you start to wonder when they started "packing" the season in? They all talk about not being happy with the way they've been used, or they're not happy with whatever. But, as you listen to them, they're always talking about "me". While UND players talk about the team and about the family atmosphere, others are talking about "me". You really have to Hakstol and company credit, they are not only getting all the best players available, but they are getting the ones with great character and they are getting them to fully buy into the program. There isn't another program that comes close to what Sioux Hockey fans get to experience year in and year out.

[NorthDakotaHockey]

As you listen to that interview you get a glimpse of what makes Sioux Hockey special. While the star players in other programs can't wait to get out, Sioux players like Oshie, Toews, Duncan, Chorney, Finley.....the list is very long, have an extremely hard time leaving. Oshie says it's like a family, and we see that year after year. How many times, over the last 4-5 years, have we heard about other programs star freshmen players packing it in during the second half of the season because they can't wait to get out? When you hear about a star player moving all his stuff out the day after his last game as a freshman, you start to wonder when they started "packing" the season in? They all talk about not being happy with the way they've been used, or they're not happy with whatever. But, as you listen to them, they're always talking about "me". While UND players talk about the team and about the family atmosphere, others are talking about "me". You really have to Hakstol and company credit, they are not only getting all the best players available, but they are getting the ones with great character and they are getting them to fully buy into the program. There isn't another program that comes close to what Sioux Hockey fans get to experience year in and year out.

Damned straight, Rick. Dead banging on.

[Dean]

As you listen to that interview you get a glimpse of what makes Sioux Hockey special. While the star players in other programs can't wait to get out, Sioux players like Oshie, Toews, Duncan, Chorney, Finley.....the list is very long, have an extremely hard time leaving. Oshie says it's like a family, and we see that year after year. How many times, over the last 4-5 years, have we heard about other programs star freshmen players packing it in during the second half of the season because they can't wait to get out? When you hear about a star player moving all his stuff out the day after his last game as a freshman, you start to wonder when they started "packing" the season in? They all talk about not being happy with the way they've been used, or they're not happy with whatever. But, as you listen to them, they're always talking about "me". While UND players talk about the team and about the family atmosphere, others are talking about "me". You really have to Hakstol and company credit, they are not only getting all the best players available, but they are getting the ones with great character and they are getting them to fully buy into the program. There isn't another program that comes close to what Sioux Hockey fans get to experience year in and year out.

Unfortunately, we don't have anything to show in terms of NCAA championship titles as "those other programs" do in the last 4-5 years...

[siouxguyinstpaul]

As you listen to that interview you get a glimpse of what makes Sioux Hockey special. While the star players in other programs can't wait to get out, Sioux players like Oshie, Toews, Duncan, Chorney, Finley.....the list is very long, have an extremely hard time leaving. Oshie says it's like a family, and we see that year after year. How many times, over the last 4-5 years, have we heard about other programs star freshmen players packing it in during the second half of the season because they can't wait to get out? When you hear about a star player moving all his stuff out the day after his last game as a freshman, you start to wonder when they started "packing" the season in? They all talk about not being happy with the way they've been used, or they're not happy with whatever. But, as you listen to them, they're always talking about "me". While UND players talk about the team and about the family atmosphere, others are talking about "me". You really have to Hakstol and company credit, they are not only getting all the best players available, but they are getting the ones with great character and they are getting them to fully buy into the program. There isn't another program that comes close to what Sioux Hockey fans get to experience year in and year out.

I have to agree with a couple of exceptions

Travis Roch - drove to catch up with the Wild the night we lost to BC in '01

ZP - signed with the Devils before (almost) before the plane left after the West Regional loss to Denver

I think it is more of an Oshie thing as he felt the same way his junior and senior years in high school and it is infectious to those that are around him

[Siouxdonyms]

I have to agree with a couple of exceptions

Travis Roch - drove to catch up with the Wild the night we lost to BC in '01

ZP - signed with the Devils before (almost) before the plane left after the West Regional loss to Denver

I think it is more of an Oshie thing as he felt the same way his junior and senior years in high school and it is infectious to those that are around him

I would agree with you that Roche was a "me" kind of guy. His stop at UND was solely for the purpose to prepare for the next level. Roche would skip classes regularly, causing his teammates to have to run stairs and other fun stuff.

Neither Travis or Zach were freshman when they left. Both of them played two years and if I remember correctly, Travis had to sit out a year before he could play. Parise was the team player that Rick talked about. He did make a quick move, but I believe that was due to him wanting to play in the NHL that season, and he was under the impression that by signing, he would at least get the chance to play that season, even if he got sent to the AHL after the regular season was finished. Not sure of Travis, but hasn't Zach made quite a few trips back to Grand Forks since leaving? He also always speaks highly of the program now that he's in the NHL.

[Rick]

I think it is more of an Oshie thing as he felt the same way his junior and senior years in high school and it is infectious to those that are around him

Yes, I agree about Oshie. But just think about all the other players who've said similar things. Look at the quote you have by Porter at the bottom of your posts. It's been that way for years and it seems to be getting stronger with each team.

I spent last Saturday golfing with Chorney, Duncan and others. Talk to Taylor Chorney and Ryan Duncan and see if they don't say many of the same things as you hear from Oshie. Then talk to Marc Chorney and Bob Duncan and they'll have the same loyalties as you hear from today's players. From Eddie Belfour to Mike Prpich to Lefty Curran to Joe Finley you hear the same dedication and commitment to the program. You don't hear that same level of dedication/commitment anyplace else. Talk to Jonathan Toews and see why he came to UND rather than giving into the pressure of MJ's. Then talk to David Toews and see why he wasn't even considering any other options.

I've had the opportunity to listen to the coaches talk to potential recruits about the exceptionally strong loyalties players develop to the program and that playing for North Dakota is more than just developing as a hockey player, it's also becoming part of a Sioux Family that will bond you to your present teammates, and all other former Sioux, forever.

Coach Blais used to talk about all the former players that attend Sioux Alumni gatherings each year. The number of former players that drive long distances and fly in to attend these events is staggering. Down in Mpls they can't get them to drive across town for a hockey reunion.

So, I agree that TJ is showing a tremendous amount of loyalty to the program. But it's been in the program for years and not just unique to this year. He's a special kid and player. It seems like just about every kid that's pulled on the Sioux jersey develops commitment to the program.

[siouxforeverbaby]

I would agree with you that Roche was a "me" kind of guy. His stop at UND was solely for the purpose to prepare for the next level. Roche would skip classes regularly, causing his teammates to have to run stairs and other fun stuff.

Neither Travis or Zach were freshman when they left. Both of them played two years and if I remember correctly, Travis had to sit out a year before he could play. Parise was the team player that Rick talked about. He did make a quick move, but I believe that was due to him wanting to play in the NHL that season, and he was under the impression that by signing, he would at least get the chance to play that season, even if he got sent to the AHL after the regular season was finished. Not sure of Travis, but hasn't Zach made quite a few trips back to Grand Forks since leaving? He also always speaks highly of the program now that he's in the NHL.

Yep, he actually stayed this week and went to the football game on Thursday before signing the autographs at Rydell on Friday.