The next stop on the Mike Dorr WCHA Tour will be Minnesota State.
Jacob Cepis decided on Minnesota after also taking a visit to Boston University.
North Dakota picked up commitments from AJHL forward Corbin Knight and Winnipeg Midget forward Brendan O'Donnell.
Showing posts with label minnesota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minnesota. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Lucia Ill
Minnesota head coach Don Lucia missed last night's game against Brown with an undisclosed illness. Lucia has undergone a series of tests to find out what is wrong, and so far, nothing has been released, though athletic director Joel Maturi said that major problems have been ruled out.
On WCCO radio last night, Dark Star reported that Lucia had Bell's Palsy, though two things should be kept in mind. First, he's like a 90-year-old man calls himself 'Dark Star' with a straight face, and second, he's a Twin Cities media personality, meaning he's probably wrong.
In any case, hopefully Lucia will have a speedy recovery to whatever is ailing him.
On WCCO radio last night, Dark Star reported that Lucia had Bell's Palsy, though two things should be kept in mind. First, he's like a 90-year-old man calls himself 'Dark Star' with a straight face, and second, he's a Twin Cities media personality, meaning he's probably wrong.
In any case, hopefully Lucia will have a speedy recovery to whatever is ailing him.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Dorr Leaves Gophers
Minnesota forward Mike Dorr has left the University of Minnesota hockey team, telling teammates that he needs "to do what's best for my own interest." Dorr had only appeared in two games this year for the Gophers.
Dorr is no stranger to controversy. He committed to Minnesota-Duluth in January of his junior year of high school, then, about a year later, during a very successful senior season, he re-opened his recruitment, and committed to Minnesota about a month and a half later.
Now, Dorr will likely return to juniors and try to transfer to another WCHA school. In the interim period between backing out on Duluth and committing to Minnesota, Dorr listed Wisconsin, Minnesota State, and Notre Dame as other potential schools of interest. Minnesota State currently has his high school linemate Adam Mueller on their team.
Dorr is no stranger to controversy. He committed to Minnesota-Duluth in January of his junior year of high school, then, about a year later, during a very successful senior season, he re-opened his recruitment, and committed to Minnesota about a month and a half later.
Now, Dorr will likely return to juniors and try to transfer to another WCHA school. In the interim period between backing out on Duluth and committing to Minnesota, Dorr listed Wisconsin, Minnesota State, and Notre Dame as other potential schools of interest. Minnesota State currently has his high school linemate Adam Mueller on their team.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
More on Lucia/Two-Sport Athletes
Don Lucia was on the radio in Minneapolis today, and clarified some of his comments on players playing both hockey and football. You can download the interview here.
Like I said yesterday, whether Lucia's quotes in the paper were taken out of context, or his opinion changed between then and now, or whatever, his stance here seems pretty reasonable.
Like I said yesterday, whether Lucia's quotes in the paper were taken out of context, or his opinion changed between then and now, or whatever, his stance here seems pretty reasonable.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
2 Sport Stars
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote a feature on Zach Budish's knee injury, suffered during football season, that will keep him from playing hockey his senior year.
Minnesota coach Don Lucia set off the internets with a quote saying he would advise hockey players against playing high school football. From the article:
Anyway, you can read the criticism in the comments of the article, or, if you want something a little more intelligent and grammatically correct, Bruce Ciskie had a rebuttal for the College Hockey News Blog.
I will say two things in defense of Lucia. First off, Lucia received a fair amount of criticism earlier this year--here included--for a quote in the Star-Trib about Minnesota never giving up a home game to play in an event like the Minnesota Hockey Showcase, when in fact, at least by that Saturday, his opinion was drastically different. Maybe he changed his mind, or maybe the quote was out of context, who knows. Not that this is an attack on any journalist in particular(the two articles were written by different writers anyway), but things do get misinterpreted sometimes.
Second, it's not hard to see why he might feel that way. He mentioned the Budish and Smaagaard injuries. Mike Forney's hockey career may have been a little less rocky had he not missed time and been so beaten up by football.
But at the same time, Lucia is also one of the more outspoken coaches on the issue of early commitments, and reportedly not a huge fan of 'family advisors' especially after debacles with Kyle Okposo and Phil Kessel, but I don't think you can play it both ways. You can't say 'we should let kids be kids' and then turn around and say 'you need to focus solely on hockey' If a player has to make a "career" decision that early on, they should also be able to make the wise hockey decision by locking down a scholarship early on, and getting professional advice on what his best for him as a hockey player.
Bottom line though, is that it is Lucia's program and he has the right to run it the way that he wants. There is a lot of pressure attached to playing and coaching at Minnesota. Look no further than about 11 months ago for evidence. By committing to the University of Minnesota, a player becomes a part of the team(more or less), and I think it's fair for Lucia to make sure a player's priorities are in order upon doing so. Minnesota isn't the only hockey program out there, and perhaps other programs would feel different. A player that still wants to play football wouldn't have to make a commitment to Minnesota.
Minnesota sets a very high standard for itself, and there are certain obligations that come along with that. There's nothing necessarily wrong with playing multiple sports, but if a player wants to commit to play at a big-time college hockey university, they should probably commit to being a big-time hockey player too.
Minnesota coach Don Lucia set off the internets with a quote saying he would advise hockey players against playing high school football. From the article:
""I have never discouraged or encouraged [playing football], but that may change now in light of what happened to Zach and what happened to Garrett, too," said Lucia, who also watched recruit Garrett Smaagaard of Eden Prairie miss his senior year of hockey after tearing his ACL in the 2000 Prep Bowl."Said athlete would be Mahtomedi's Ben Marshall, for those that were curious.
...
"Just weeks after Budish's injury, Lucia received a verbal commitment from an athlete who played both football and hockey.
"We had a talk," Lucia said. "I said, 'It's time to be a hockey player, not a football player.' He agreed and he's not going to play football next year.""
Anyway, you can read the criticism in the comments of the article, or, if you want something a little more intelligent and grammatically correct, Bruce Ciskie had a rebuttal for the College Hockey News Blog.
I will say two things in defense of Lucia. First off, Lucia received a fair amount of criticism earlier this year--here included--for a quote in the Star-Trib about Minnesota never giving up a home game to play in an event like the Minnesota Hockey Showcase, when in fact, at least by that Saturday, his opinion was drastically different. Maybe he changed his mind, or maybe the quote was out of context, who knows. Not that this is an attack on any journalist in particular(the two articles were written by different writers anyway), but things do get misinterpreted sometimes.
Second, it's not hard to see why he might feel that way. He mentioned the Budish and Smaagaard injuries. Mike Forney's hockey career may have been a little less rocky had he not missed time and been so beaten up by football.
But at the same time, Lucia is also one of the more outspoken coaches on the issue of early commitments, and reportedly not a huge fan of 'family advisors' especially after debacles with Kyle Okposo and Phil Kessel, but I don't think you can play it both ways. You can't say 'we should let kids be kids' and then turn around and say 'you need to focus solely on hockey' If a player has to make a "career" decision that early on, they should also be able to make the wise hockey decision by locking down a scholarship early on, and getting professional advice on what his best for him as a hockey player.
Bottom line though, is that it is Lucia's program and he has the right to run it the way that he wants. There is a lot of pressure attached to playing and coaching at Minnesota. Look no further than about 11 months ago for evidence. By committing to the University of Minnesota, a player becomes a part of the team(more or less), and I think it's fair for Lucia to make sure a player's priorities are in order upon doing so. Minnesota isn't the only hockey program out there, and perhaps other programs would feel different. A player that still wants to play football wouldn't have to make a commitment to Minnesota.
Minnesota sets a very high standard for itself, and there are certain obligations that come along with that. There's nothing necessarily wrong with playing multiple sports, but if a player wants to commit to play at a big-time college hockey university, they should probably commit to being a big-time hockey player too.
Monday, December 08, 2008
December American Hockey Draft Report
This month's installment of the American Hockey Draft Report focuses on Minnesota's Jordan Schroeder, and compares his performance through his first 14 games against three other players that played in the NCAA during their draft year, and went on to become top ten picks. Schroeder stacks up pretty well so far.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Hobey Watch
Eliot Olshansky wrote his own Hobey Watch for USCHO, which this week, discusses Jeff Lerg and how he might have the intangibles to make a serious run at the Hobey.
Here's my top 3 for the Hobey after a couple games played...
1. Ryan Stoa, Minnesota
Minnesota has played three pretty tough series so far--early returns on St. Cloud and Wisconsin aside, they've got some talent--and he's been pretty close to dominant in all three. Stoa has a goal in every game except one so far, and is a huge reason for Minnesota's turnaround. It helps having perhaps the country's best playmaker on your line. Last year I argued that Minnesota's lack of success would kill Blake Wheeler, but this year, Minnesota's impressive record should boost Stoa.
2. Richard Bachman, Colorado College
Bachman's exclusion as a Hobey finalist last year was a bit of a joke. He was named the WCHA's best player and should make a run at this award again. Last weekend was his first huge test against a highly-ranked Denver team, and he ended up playing well enough to earn conference player of the week honors.
3. Aaron Palushaj, Michigan
Michigan is really missing Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik, as shown by their struggles on the powerplay, but Palushaj has taken a big step forward and become an excellent scorer.
Here's my top 3 for the Hobey after a couple games played...
1. Ryan Stoa, Minnesota
Minnesota has played three pretty tough series so far--early returns on St. Cloud and Wisconsin aside, they've got some talent--and he's been pretty close to dominant in all three. Stoa has a goal in every game except one so far, and is a huge reason for Minnesota's turnaround. It helps having perhaps the country's best playmaker on your line. Last year I argued that Minnesota's lack of success would kill Blake Wheeler, but this year, Minnesota's impressive record should boost Stoa.
2. Richard Bachman, Colorado College
Bachman's exclusion as a Hobey finalist last year was a bit of a joke. He was named the WCHA's best player and should make a run at this award again. Last weekend was his first huge test against a highly-ranked Denver team, and he ended up playing well enough to earn conference player of the week honors.
3. Aaron Palushaj, Michigan
Michigan is really missing Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik, as shown by their struggles on the powerplay, but Palushaj has taken a big step forward and become an excellent scorer.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Gravel to St. Cloud
Marquette Rangers defenseman Kevin Gravel has has committed to St.Cloud. Gravel has flown under the radar a bit, playing with the Marquette AAA program prior to joining the Rangers of the NAHL, but he's one of the better '92 born defensemen in the country. He's a very tough, defensive defenseman.
Gravel has a connection to St. Cloud as his father Jim played for the Huskies. Northern Michigan and Michigan State also offered Gravel a scholarship.
Also, Mahtomedi HS defenseman Ben Marshall has committed to Minnesota. North Dakota, Wisconsin, and St. Cloud were also interested.
Gravel has a connection to St. Cloud as his father Jim played for the Huskies. Northern Michigan and Michigan State also offered Gravel a scholarship.
Also, Mahtomedi HS defenseman Ben Marshall has committed to Minnesota. North Dakota, Wisconsin, and St. Cloud were also interested.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
How to Fix the Minnesota Hockey Showcase
The first ever Minnesota Hockey Showcase wasn't exactly a success. They only got about 10,500 paying spectators combined between the two games, for a pretty dull atmosphere. But all four coaches, and players from all four teams seemed pretty positive about the event and seemed to enjoy it. I think the general feeling was that even though this one may not have gone very well, there is potential for success in the future.
The future of the event hinges on two factors. First, will Minnesota support the event? Minnesota has least to gain from this, but their support and involvement is critical. For what it's worth, Don Lucia seemed much more positive about the future of this event than he did earlier this week. Second, and most important, is if they can fill the building. Though all coaches liked the event, they all said the final decision would be made by people above them that handle the finances.
So how do they go about filling the building? Here's a few suggestions and ideas I have.
1. Hold the event later in the season. This year's event came too early in the season. Don Lucia said it's not really hockey season for a lot of fans yet, which I think is true. There were a lot of important playoff football games today. The weather was nice. People are out hunting. There were a lot of things keeping people away, and with it being so early in the season, there wasn't a lot at stake in these games to draw people in. If this was later in the season and there were playoff and NCAA tournament positions on the line, I think it might have been a little different.
2. The idea Don Lucia mentioned a couple times, which I like, is making these games part of the season ticket package for all four schools. Minnesota gains a small advantage because they have the most season ticket holders, but it guarantees they sell tickets to about 13,000 people, and then they just need 5,000 more tickets sold for a full house. I'm not sure all those season ticket holders would show up, but you'd get a fair number.
3. Do something about the price of tickets. Making tickets $40 for two games was a mistake. I think there were too many fans that only cared to watch one game and didn't want to pay $40 for just one game.
4. Look into making the event a tournament. There's a million difficulties with this. Tournament games would likely have to be non-conference games, and non-conference games are already a rarity to begin with. But a two-day tournament would add some excitement.
The future of the event hinges on two factors. First, will Minnesota support the event? Minnesota has least to gain from this, but their support and involvement is critical. For what it's worth, Don Lucia seemed much more positive about the future of this event than he did earlier this week. Second, and most important, is if they can fill the building. Though all coaches liked the event, they all said the final decision would be made by people above them that handle the finances.
So how do they go about filling the building? Here's a few suggestions and ideas I have.
1. Hold the event later in the season. This year's event came too early in the season. Don Lucia said it's not really hockey season for a lot of fans yet, which I think is true. There were a lot of important playoff football games today. The weather was nice. People are out hunting. There were a lot of things keeping people away, and with it being so early in the season, there wasn't a lot at stake in these games to draw people in. If this was later in the season and there were playoff and NCAA tournament positions on the line, I think it might have been a little different.
2. The idea Don Lucia mentioned a couple times, which I like, is making these games part of the season ticket package for all four schools. Minnesota gains a small advantage because they have the most season ticket holders, but it guarantees they sell tickets to about 13,000 people, and then they just need 5,000 more tickets sold for a full house. I'm not sure all those season ticket holders would show up, but you'd get a fair number.
3. Do something about the price of tickets. Making tickets $40 for two games was a mistake. I think there were too many fans that only cared to watch one game and didn't want to pay $40 for just one game.
4. Look into making the event a tournament. There's a million difficulties with this. Tournament games would likely have to be non-conference games, and non-conference games are already a rarity to begin with. But a two-day tournament would add some excitement.
Minnesota vs. Minnesota State: Game Thread
1st Period is underway
Good action so far. Except we've got a malfunctioning clock that stopped things for a minute. Minnesota State has a pretty good crowd presence here. It's not a huge home ice advantage, but they've at least got a small one.
End of 1st Period, 0-0 tie
A very even period. Minnesota State's powerplay looked much better than it did last night, even though it didn't translate into a goal. Minnesota had some decent chances too. Jordan Schroeder had the period's best chance, but missed scoring his first goal when he shot the puck wide. Minnesota State had some good opportunities, but nothing that materialized into a good chance.
All eyes are the officiating after last night's game, but overall it was pretty good. They called two hooks behind the play that probably wouldn't have been called last year, which is good, and they didn't make any head-scratchers like last night.
One officiating oddity, though. The referees are serious about not letting teams change after an icing. On one play, MSU shot the puck down the ice slowly and was trying to change. Referee Jon Campion blew the whistle about 10 feet before the puck crossed the end line to keep MSU's players from hoping onto the bench. Apparently the linesmen were surprised too, since they talked with Campion for a couple minutes after that call.
2nd Period underway
Goal MSU-Goal: Mike Louwerse Assists: Rylan Galiardi, Channing Boe
Minnesota State worked the puck out from behind the Minnesota net, and Mike Louwerse found a rebound which he jammed in for the game's first goal.
Minnesota Goal-Goal: Ryan Stoa Assists: Cade Fairchild 1-1 tie
Minnesota State took two very bad penalties to go down two men, and Minnesota capitalized. Ryan Stoa got the puck on the side of the net and beat Zacharias down low.
They just announced attendance: 10,295. Not the turnout they were hoping for.
Minnesota State Goal-Goal Mike Louwerse Assists: Kurt Davis 2-1 MSU
Minnesota State got a 5x3 of their own and capitalized. Kurt Davis fired a shot from the point and Louwerse one-timed the rebound into the upper part of the net.
Minnesota Goal-Goal: Jordan Schroeder Assists: Cade Fairchild, Jay Barriball 2-2 tie
After a series of MSU powerplay, Minnesota got a man advantage and scored. Schroeder walked in from the left point and beat Zacharias with a nice shot.
Goal Minnesota-Goal: David Fischer Assists: Aaron Ness, Mike Carman 3-2 Minnesota
Minnesota scores their third powerplay goal of the night. Fischer fired a wrist shot through traffic that Zacharias didn't see.
End of 2nd Period. 3-2 Minnesota
The Gophers dominated the last half of that period, and it became all about survival for Minnesota State. They weren't able to maintain their lead or keep the game tied, meaning they'll have to come from behind in the third period again tonight. Minnesota State got into penalty troubles and Minnesota's powerplay is much more effective tonight.
The number of penalties really went up that period as the officials started calling more ticky-tack penalties. There were was only one call each way that I thought was really terrible. There were other soft ones, but calls that probably should have been made. One of the big problems right now is that I think the 2:00 man advantage is a bigger punishment than a lot of these infractions call for.
3rd Period is Underway
Goal Minnesota-Goal:Mike Carman Assists: David Fischer, Ryan Flynn 4-2 Minnesota
After just missing a goal on a 2-on-1, Minnesota got a shot from the point which was tipped and floated over the shoulder of Zacharias.
Minnesota Goal-Goal: Jordan Schroeder Assists: Ryan Stoa, Cade Fairchild 5-2 Minnesota
The Gophers scored their 4th powerplay goal of the game. Schroeder snuck down low and got the puck at the side of the net which he chipped in.
Goal Minnesota State-Goal: Jerad Stewart Assists: James Gaulrapp, Kurt Davis 5-3 Minnesota
Minnesota State has a bounce go their way, and after Kangas made two very nice saves, Jerad Stewart stuffed in the third. There's less than two minutes left, however, so it's likely too little too late.
Minnesota Goal-Goal: Ryan Flynn Assists: Mike Carman 6-3 Minnesota
Flynn scores an empty-netter from the neutral zone to ice the game for Minnesota.
End of Game. Final Score: Minnesota 6 Minnesota State 3
Minnesota dominated this game. Minnesota State took too many penalties and Minnesota's powerplay was lethal tonight. MSU had a chance in the third period, and looked to be building a little momentum, but Minnesota's fourth goal was a backbreaker. Minnesota looked like the far superior, more skilled team tonight. They were able to do more with the puck when they got chances than Minnesota State was.
Good action so far. Except we've got a malfunctioning clock that stopped things for a minute. Minnesota State has a pretty good crowd presence here. It's not a huge home ice advantage, but they've at least got a small one.
End of 1st Period, 0-0 tie
A very even period. Minnesota State's powerplay looked much better than it did last night, even though it didn't translate into a goal. Minnesota had some decent chances too. Jordan Schroeder had the period's best chance, but missed scoring his first goal when he shot the puck wide. Minnesota State had some good opportunities, but nothing that materialized into a good chance.
All eyes are the officiating after last night's game, but overall it was pretty good. They called two hooks behind the play that probably wouldn't have been called last year, which is good, and they didn't make any head-scratchers like last night.
One officiating oddity, though. The referees are serious about not letting teams change after an icing. On one play, MSU shot the puck down the ice slowly and was trying to change. Referee Jon Campion blew the whistle about 10 feet before the puck crossed the end line to keep MSU's players from hoping onto the bench. Apparently the linesmen were surprised too, since they talked with Campion for a couple minutes after that call.
2nd Period underway
Goal MSU-Goal: Mike Louwerse Assists: Rylan Galiardi, Channing Boe
Minnesota State worked the puck out from behind the Minnesota net, and Mike Louwerse found a rebound which he jammed in for the game's first goal.
Minnesota Goal-Goal: Ryan Stoa Assists: Cade Fairchild 1-1 tie
Minnesota State took two very bad penalties to go down two men, and Minnesota capitalized. Ryan Stoa got the puck on the side of the net and beat Zacharias down low.
They just announced attendance: 10,295. Not the turnout they were hoping for.
Minnesota State Goal-Goal Mike Louwerse Assists: Kurt Davis 2-1 MSU
Minnesota State got a 5x3 of their own and capitalized. Kurt Davis fired a shot from the point and Louwerse one-timed the rebound into the upper part of the net.
Minnesota Goal-Goal: Jordan Schroeder Assists: Cade Fairchild, Jay Barriball 2-2 tie
After a series of MSU powerplay, Minnesota got a man advantage and scored. Schroeder walked in from the left point and beat Zacharias with a nice shot.
Goal Minnesota-Goal: David Fischer Assists: Aaron Ness, Mike Carman 3-2 Minnesota
Minnesota scores their third powerplay goal of the night. Fischer fired a wrist shot through traffic that Zacharias didn't see.
End of 2nd Period. 3-2 Minnesota
The Gophers dominated the last half of that period, and it became all about survival for Minnesota State. They weren't able to maintain their lead or keep the game tied, meaning they'll have to come from behind in the third period again tonight. Minnesota State got into penalty troubles and Minnesota's powerplay is much more effective tonight.
The number of penalties really went up that period as the officials started calling more ticky-tack penalties. There were was only one call each way that I thought was really terrible. There were other soft ones, but calls that probably should have been made. One of the big problems right now is that I think the 2:00 man advantage is a bigger punishment than a lot of these infractions call for.
3rd Period is Underway
Goal Minnesota-Goal:Mike Carman Assists: David Fischer, Ryan Flynn 4-2 Minnesota
After just missing a goal on a 2-on-1, Minnesota got a shot from the point which was tipped and floated over the shoulder of Zacharias.
Minnesota Goal-Goal: Jordan Schroeder Assists: Ryan Stoa, Cade Fairchild 5-2 Minnesota
The Gophers scored their 4th powerplay goal of the game. Schroeder snuck down low and got the puck at the side of the net which he chipped in.
Goal Minnesota State-Goal: Jerad Stewart Assists: James Gaulrapp, Kurt Davis 5-3 Minnesota
Minnesota State has a bounce go their way, and after Kangas made two very nice saves, Jerad Stewart stuffed in the third. There's less than two minutes left, however, so it's likely too little too late.
Minnesota Goal-Goal: Ryan Flynn Assists: Mike Carman 6-3 Minnesota
Flynn scores an empty-netter from the neutral zone to ice the game for Minnesota.
End of Game. Final Score: Minnesota 6 Minnesota State 3
Minnesota dominated this game. Minnesota State took too many penalties and Minnesota's powerplay was lethal tonight. MSU had a chance in the third period, and looked to be building a little momentum, but Minnesota's fourth goal was a backbreaker. Minnesota looked like the far superior, more skilled team tonight. They were able to do more with the puck when they got chances than Minnesota State was.
Minnesota State/Minnesota Pre-Game
It's looking like a better crowd for the second game, but still not great. I don't think that many people from the first game stuck around for the second game.
I wasn't sure in the first game, but I can tell now that the host schools brought their own PA announcers, which is a nice touch. Minnesota State has a small, but vocal contingent of about 20 students here which is nice. They greeted the Gophers with a spirited, if not vulgar, cheer.
Minnesota State needs to keep up the momentum they had in the third period of last night's game. If they can put together three periods like that, they've got a good chance. If they play like they did in the second period, Minnesota will probably win.
Minnesota played a pretty solid game last night, but has to solve Mike Zacharias in net.
I wasn't sure in the first game, but I can tell now that the host schools brought their own PA announcers, which is a nice touch. Minnesota State has a small, but vocal contingent of about 20 students here which is nice. They greeted the Gophers with a spirited, if not vulgar, cheer.
Minnesota State needs to keep up the momentum they had in the third period of last night's game. If they can put together three periods like that, they've got a good chance. If they play like they did in the second period, Minnesota will probably win.
Minnesota played a pretty solid game last night, but has to solve Mike Zacharias in net.
Minnesota/Minnesota State Line Charts
Minnesota State
Kael Mouillierat-Trevor Bruess-Mick Berge
James Gaulrapp-Zach Harrison-Jerad Stewart
Geoff Irwin-Andrew Sackrison-Jason Wiley
Tyler Thompson-Rylan Galiardi-Mike Louwerse
Kurt Davis-Brian Kilburg
Cameron Cooper-Channing Boe
Blake Friesen-Ben Youds
Mike Zacharias
Dan Tormey
Austin Lee
Youds and Louwerse return to the lineup after sitting out last night for unneccessary penalties in a previous game. Justin Jokinen and Nick Canzanello are out in their place.
Minnesota
Ryan Stoa-Jordan Schroeder-Jay Barriball
Tony Lucia-Mike Carman-Ryan Flynn
Mike Hoeffel-Patrick White-Nico Sacchetti
Jake Hansen-Taylor Matson-Justin Bostom
Cade Fairchild-David Fischer
Aaron Ness-R.J. Anderson
Kevin Wehrs-Sam Lofquist
Alex Kangas
Kent Patterson
Hansen and Sacchetti return to the lineup after sitting out last night disciplinary reasons, taking the place of fellow freshmen Mike Dorr and Joey Miller.
Kael Mouillierat-Trevor Bruess-Mick Berge
James Gaulrapp-Zach Harrison-Jerad Stewart
Geoff Irwin-Andrew Sackrison-Jason Wiley
Tyler Thompson-Rylan Galiardi-Mike Louwerse
Kurt Davis-Brian Kilburg
Cameron Cooper-Channing Boe
Blake Friesen-Ben Youds
Mike Zacharias
Dan Tormey
Austin Lee
Youds and Louwerse return to the lineup after sitting out last night for unneccessary penalties in a previous game. Justin Jokinen and Nick Canzanello are out in their place.
Minnesota
Ryan Stoa-Jordan Schroeder-Jay Barriball
Tony Lucia-Mike Carman-Ryan Flynn
Mike Hoeffel-Patrick White-Nico Sacchetti
Jake Hansen-Taylor Matson-Justin Bostom
Cade Fairchild-David Fischer
Aaron Ness-R.J. Anderson
Kevin Wehrs-Sam Lofquist
Alex Kangas
Kent Patterson
Hansen and Sacchetti return to the lineup after sitting out last night disciplinary reasons, taking the place of fellow freshmen Mike Dorr and Joey Miller.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Two Different People
"One of my mentors was John Mariucci, who told me that I was more than just a coach and that I needed to reach out and help the growth of the game throughout the state. I have always remembered that and, as a result, have always tried to do as much as I could to help the coaches, administrators and volunteers to grow the game."--Herb Brooks
"Gophers coach Don Lucia said his team never would give up a home game to play in a future showcase..."--Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
New Commits
Max Gardiner, bother of Wisconsin defenseman Jake, committed to Minnesota.
Defenseman Wes McLeod of the BCHL committed to Alaska-Anchorage.
Local player Keegan Flaherty committed to Minnesota-Duluth.
Two other BCHL players, defenseman Zach Josepher and forward Milos Gordic are going to Michigan State and Michigan Tech respectively.
NAHL defenseman Jack Callahan committed to Quinnipiac. The Big Q has recruited nearly exclusively out of the BCHL of late, but I think they got a real steal in Callahan. He looked like one of the nicest defensive prospects in the NAHL this year.
Northeastern picked up a commitment from Sioux Falls forward Robbie Vrolyk. Vrolyk is a USHL veteran that isn't very big, but possesses nice offensive ability.
Defenseman Wes McLeod of the BCHL committed to Alaska-Anchorage.
Local player Keegan Flaherty committed to Minnesota-Duluth.
Two other BCHL players, defenseman Zach Josepher and forward Milos Gordic are going to Michigan State and Michigan Tech respectively.
NAHL defenseman Jack Callahan committed to Quinnipiac. The Big Q has recruited nearly exclusively out of the BCHL of late, but I think they got a real steal in Callahan. He looked like one of the nicest defensive prospects in the NAHL this year.
Northeastern picked up a commitment from Sioux Falls forward Robbie Vrolyk. Vrolyk is a USHL veteran that isn't very big, but possesses nice offensive ability.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Programming Note
So I was given a media credential to this weekend's first ever WCHA Minnesota College Hockey Showcase.
Consequently, I'll likely be figuratively saying, "Screw you, until you also provide me with free pretzels and soft drinks" to the other teams in college hockey, while focusing a little more on the four Minnesota schools.
It also means that there will actually be quality content--or at least the best you can hope for from here--over the weekend. According to the XCel staff, I will have wireless internet access from the press box, so I should have informative updates throughout the day from the X.
Consequently, I'll likely be figuratively saying, "Screw you, until you also provide me with free pretzels and soft drinks" to the other teams in college hockey, while focusing a little more on the four Minnesota schools.
It also means that there will actually be quality content--or at least the best you can hope for from here--over the weekend. According to the XCel staff, I will have wireless internet access from the press box, so I should have informative updates throughout the day from the X.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Isackson to Minnesota
St. Thomas Academy forward Christian Isackson has committed to Minnesota, choosing the Gophers over Wisconsin and North Dakota.
Isackson is one of the top '92 forwards in the country. He turned down an offer to join the NTDP team in order to stay at St. Thomas in Minnesota.* He played with the US U17 team this past summer in Slovakia.
*St. Thomas wasn't very good when Isackson was in the third grade, and thus, will likely not be very good this year. I'm sure Isackson just wanted to help out so the school didn't get embarrassed this year.
Isackson is one of the top '92 forwards in the country. He turned down an offer to join the NTDP team in order to stay at St. Thomas in Minnesota.* He played with the US U17 team this past summer in Slovakia.
*St. Thomas wasn't very good when Isackson was in the third grade, and thus, will likely not be very good this year. I'm sure Isackson just wanted to help out so the school didn't get embarrassed this year.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ambroz Commits to Minnesota
New Prague forward Seth Ambroz committed to Minnesota for the 2011-2012 season.
Ambroz, a '93 birthday, had been heavily recruited this past year, and proved himself as one of the best players in his age group by leading this summer's Select 15 Festival in scoring. Ambroz will play in the USHL this season.
Ambroz, a '93 birthday, had been heavily recruited this past year, and proved himself as one of the best players in his age group by leading this summer's Select 15 Festival in scoring. Ambroz will play in the USHL this season.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Sometimes You Just Shake Your Head
Wisconsin and Minnesota were trying to get together to play an outdoor hockey game at Camp Randall Stadium next season, followed by an outdoor game at TCF High School Stadium in Minneapolis the following year. But as Todd Milewski of The Capital Times reported today, those games are on hold thanks to the WCHA. The event was being put on by the Herb Brooks Foundation, and the WCHA didn't want control of a league game going to an outside entity.
Here's WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod on the reason for the veto:
Of course, the only problem with that logic is that the WCHA was in charge of those screw-ups. Basically what McLeod is saying is that if anybody is going to screw-up a WCHA game, Goddammit, it's going to be the WCHA. I'm not sure what the risk is here. Is McLeod afraid that if the Herb Brooks Foundation hires referees that completely blow a game-changing call, they won't issue a heartfelt apology letter like McLeod had to do multiple times last season?
In any case, it's a shame that it looks like Minnesota and Wisconsin won't be able to have a successful outdoor game like many NHL and college programs have had.
Here's WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod on the reason for the veto:
"If they want to take an exempted game or something like that, we'll cooperate and do what we can. But with a regular-season game and somebody else running it, and you know how those points go -- especially Wisconsin the last few years -- that can be critical. So we're quite concerned about the circumstances under which these games are played.Emphasis mine. That's an obvious reference to the blown video replay call that cost Wisconsin a game against Denver last season, and eventually ended up costing Wisconsin home ice in the WCHA playoffs.
Of course, the only problem with that logic is that the WCHA was in charge of those screw-ups. Basically what McLeod is saying is that if anybody is going to screw-up a WCHA game, Goddammit, it's going to be the WCHA. I'm not sure what the risk is here. Is McLeod afraid that if the Herb Brooks Foundation hires referees that completely blow a game-changing call, they won't issue a heartfelt apology letter like McLeod had to do multiple times last season?
In any case, it's a shame that it looks like Minnesota and Wisconsin won't be able to have a successful outdoor game like many NHL and college programs have had.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Bjugstad to Gophers
Blaine HS forward Nick Bjugstad committed to Minnesota. Bjugstad was a freshmen last season, so the earliest he could join Minnesota would be 2011.
Bjugstad will obviously still need a lot of development, but he showed some amazing potential last season with Blaine, and has the potential to develop into a big-time goal scorer as he matures and fills out.
Bjugstad will obviously still need a lot of development, but he showed some amazing potential last season with Blaine, and has the potential to develop into a big-time goal scorer as he matures and fills out.
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