Showing posts with label Rocco Grimaldi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rocco Grimaldi. Show all posts

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Rocco Grimaldi Scores His First NHL Goal



Former Fighting Sioux forward Rocco Grimaldi scores his first NHL goal in his seventh NHL game.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Florida Panthers Recall F Rocco Grimaldi

Former Fighting Sioux forward Rocco Grimaldi has been recalled by the Florida Panthers.
SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers Executive Vice-President and General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has recalled F Rocco Grimaldi and F Vincent Trocheck. In addition, the club announced that F Dave Bolland has been placed on injured reserved retroactive to October 17, 2014 and F Brandon Pirri has been placed on injured reserved retroactive to October 30, 2014.

Grimaldi, 21, has appeared in eight games with San Antonio (AHL) this season, recording three goals with one assist and four penalty minutes, after signing his entry level contract with Florida this past summer. Prior to playing in San Antonio, Grimaldi spent three years (2011-2014) at the University of North Dakota (NCHC) recording 31 goals and 46 assists. Grimaldi was drafted by Florida in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Thursday, May 08, 2014

Grimaldi Takes Talents to South Beach



Ok, I know I am a day late on this on, but I needed to figure out how I wanted to word this post. As it was announced yesterday, UND Junior forward, Rocco Grimaldi signed with the Florida Panthers yesterday. The California native would sign a three year entry level deal worth around $3.2 million. Rocco was drafted 32nd overall, which is the second pick of the second round, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minnesota.

I myself have some memories in the two full seasons I was able to see him skate at UND, but my favorite memory is probably when he scored his first goal against Minnesota back in November of 2011. It was a game I was fortunate to be attending while back home for a weekend my freshman year, but what made it most memorable was his celebration. Replicating his idol, Tim Tebow, it possibly was the best celebration in college hockey that season. However, Rocco would miss most of this season due to a knee injury, and was forced to take a medical red shirt for the remainder of the 2011-2012 season.

Rocco was by far the fan favorite in his time at North Dakota, and with good reason. He was fast, and would dazzle the crowd with his great hands. However, his likeness to pull the flashy moves would cost UND at times where taking the shot would be the better option. However, when they did work they were all highlight reel goals that would leave the entire crowd speechless.

Grimaldi would lead UND in points this year with 37 and would make a statement in the NCAA tournament as well. His presence was well felt on the ice greatest in the Wisconsin game when he would earn his first collegiate hat trick, leading UND to a 5-2 victory.

It is hard for me to say if Rocco will have success in the NHL, or even make it into the NHL, but we wish him the best of the luck in whatever his career has in store for him.
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Wednesday, May 07, 2014

Rocco Grimaldi signs with NHL’s Florida Panthers



Rocco Grimaldi was an absolute gem to cover, and I am going to miss him. Grimaldi is an electrifying player that can change a game with his speed and offensive imagination. Good luck to him.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota sophomore forward Rocco Grimaldi has signed an entry level contract with the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers and will forgo his final two years of collegiate eligibility. The Panthers selected Grimaldi in the second round (33d overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Grimaldi led North Dakota in points (39) and goals (17) in 42 games in 2013-14, establishing career highs in both categories. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional in Cincinnati after recording his first collegiate hat trick in UND’s semifinal win over Wisconsin. His performance helped lead UND to its 20th appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four.

The 5-foot-6, 172-pound Grimaldi also earned Academic All-NCHC honors in 2013-14 and won the team’s Virg Foss 3-Star Award for accumulating the most 3-star voting points during the regular season.

In 2012-13, Grimaldi was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team and was voted UND’s Rookie of the Year after leading all WCHA rookies in points (36) and assists (23), while also topping the nation’s rookies with 147 shots on goal. That same season, Grimaldi helped lead the United States to a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Russia. He was named U.S. Player of the Game in the gold medal win over Sweden after scoring both the game-tying and game-winning goals.

Grimaldi’s initial freshman season at UND in 2011-12 was cut short after just four games due to a season-ending knee injury. He finished his collegiate career with 31 goals and 46 assists and a plus-22 rating in 86 games.

A native of Rossmoor, Calif., Grimaldi is UND’s second player to sign an NHL contract since the end of the 2013-14 season, joining senior defenseman Dillon Simpson, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers.




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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

UND Hockey: Schmaltz, Gothberg and Parks to return to UND for the 2014-15 season




Some good news for UND... I would imagine that Jordan Schmaltz would like to play with his brother Nick. Nice to see the staring goalie Zane Gothberg return as well. Now, we wait on Rocco Grimaldi's decision.
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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Edit: UND 5 UW 2 (Video)



Tonight, UND beat a very good Wisconsin team 5-2. Wisconsin came into tonight's game with nine seniors on their roster. UND played tonight's game with two seniors in their lineup captain Dillon Simpson and Derek Rodwell. Senior goalie Clark Saunders was the backup goalie and Mitch MacMillan was a healthy scratch. To put it in perspective, UND beat a very good veteran team. The Badgers were built to go deep into the NCAA playoffs and their season was cut short. 

This past week, I read a lot of blog posts and newspaper articles, and no one gave UND much of a chance of winning this game. Big night for UND sophomore forward Rocco Grimaldi, who scored (3g-0a—3pts). According to UNDSID Jayson Hajdu, Grimaldi had played in 83 games and never scored two goals in a game. Looks like he saved his best effort for one of the most important games of his UND hockey career.

The following players also had a big night for UND, junior forwards Mike Parks (1g-1a—2pts), Mark MacMillan (1g-2a—3pts). UND will play Ferris State tomorrow night for a chance to go to the Frozen Four.
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Friday, March 28, 2014

UND vs. UW Lines (NCAA Midwest Regional Semi Finals)

UND Forward lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn(A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson21 Brendan O’Donnell –13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair – 22 Andrew Panzarella

North Dakota Defense Pairings
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
Out: 7-Wade Murphy (Fr., F), 20-Gage Ausmus (Fr., D), 25 Mitch MacMillan (Sr F), 26-Coltyn Sanderson (So., F), 30-Matt Hrynkiw (Fr., G)
Wisconsin Badgers Forward Lines
17 Nic Kerdiles – 9 Mark Zengerle – 7 Tyler Barnes
15 Morgan Zulinick – 14 Jefferson Dahl – 25 Michael Mersch
21 Grant Besse – 16 Joseph LaBate – 18 Sean Little
26 Brad Navin – 12 Keegan Meuer – 22 Jed Soleway

Wisconsin Badgers Defense Pairings
19 Jake McCabe – 24 Joe Faust
28 Kevin Schulze – 27 Frankie Simonelli
20 Eddie Wittchow – 5 Chase Drake

Badger Goalies
33 Joel Rumple
30 Landon Peterson
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Saturday, March 22, 2014

UND vs. WMU NCHC Third Place game

UND Forward lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O'Donnell –13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
25 Mitch MacMillan – 29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair

North Dakota Defense Pairings
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson (C)–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
Out: 7-Wade Murphy (Fr., F), 20-Gage Ausmus (Fr., D), 22 Andrew Panzarella
 (Jr F), 26-Coltyn Sanderson (So., F), 30-Matt Hrynkiw (Fr., G)
Western Michigan’s lines
8 Sheldon Dries–29 Will Kessel–28 Sam Mellor
14 Colton Hargrove–16 Nolan LaPorte–27 J.T. Osborn
2 Mike McKee–10 Josh Pitt–17 Justin Kovacs
24 Shane Berschbach–13 Chase Balisy–25 Mike Cichy
Western Michigan defense Pairings
3 Thomas Nitsche–7 Kenney Morrison
9 Chris Dienes–20 Taylor Fleming
15 Jordan Oesterle–11 Dennis Brown

Western Michigan Goalies

1 Frank Slubowski
35 Sam Bloomberg
55 Lukas Hafner
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Sunday, March 16, 2014

C.C. vs. UND game three NCHC Playoffs

UND Forward lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
21 Brendan O’Donnell –19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair – 22-Andrew Panzarella

North Dakota Defense Pairings
Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
Out: 7-Wade Murphy (Fr., F), 20-Gage Ausmus (Fr., D), 25 Mitch MacMillan (Sr., F), 26-Coltyn Sanderson (So., F), 30-Matt Hrynkiw (Fr., G)
Colorado College’s Forward Lines
18 Scott Wamsganz–9 Sam Rothstein–28 Alex Roos
12 Archie Skalbeck–21 Jeff Collett–17 Charlie Taft
16 Alexander Krushelnyski– 10 Cody Bradley–8 Luc Gerdes
19 Michael Morin–15 Christian Heil–26 Zach Aman

Tigers Defense Parings
6 Peter Stoykewych–13 Gustav Olofsson
27 Aaron Harstad–5 Jaccob Slavin
20 Ian Young–7 Eamonn McDermott

Tigers Goalies
39 Josh Thorimbert
29 Courtney Lockwood


On-Ice Officials: Tom Stern (8), Timm Walsh (17). Linesmen: Mike Eslinger (49), Brandon Schmitt (36). 


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Saturday, March 15, 2014

UND vs. C.C. game two NCHC Playoffs

UND Forward lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
25 Mitch MacMillan–29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair
North Dakota Defense Pairings
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
Out: 7-Wade Murphy (Fr., F), 20-Gage Ausmus (Fr., D), 22-Andrew Panzarella (Jr., D), 26-Coltyn Sanderson (So., F), 30-Matt Hrynkiw (Fr., G)
Colorado College’s Forward Lines
18 Scott Wamsganz–9 Sam Rothstein–28 Alex Roos
12 Archie Skalbeck–21 Jeff Collett–17 Charlie Taft
16 Alexander Krushelnyski– 10 Cody Bradley–8 Luc Gerdes
11 Hunter Fejes–15 Christian Heil–26 Zach Aman

Tigers Defense Parings
6 Peter Stoykewych–13 Gustav Olofsson
27 Aaron Harstad–5 Jaccob Slavin
20 Ian Young–7 Eamonn McDermott

Tigers Goalies
39 Josh Thorimbert
29 Courtney Lockwood


On-Ice Officials: Tom Stern (8), Timm Walsh (17). Linesmen: Mike Eslinger (49), Brandon Schmitt (36). 
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Friday, March 14, 2014

UND vs. C.C. Lines and Links (NCHC Playoffs)

North Dakota Forward Lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks
28 Stephane Pattyn–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
25 Mitch MacMillan –13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
21 Brendan O’Donnell –29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair

North Dakota Defense Pairings
18 Dillon Simpson–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
20 Greg Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher

North Dakota Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
Colorado College’s Forward Lines
18 Scott Wamsganz–9 Sam Rothstein–28 Alex Roos
12 Archie Skalbeck–21 Jeff Collett–17 Charlie Taft
16 Alexander Krushelnyski– 10 Cody Bradley–8 Luc Gerdes
11 Hunter Fejes–15 Christian Heil–8 Luc Gerdes

Tigers Defense Parings
6 Peter Stoykewych–13 Gustav Olofsson
27 Aaron Harstad–5 Jaccob Slavin
20 Ian Young–7 Eamonn McDermott

Tigers Goalies
39 Josh Thorimbert
29 Courtney Lockwood

On-Ice Officials: Tom Stern (8), Timm Walsh (17). Linesmen: Mike Eslinger (49), Brandon Schmitt (36). 






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Saturday, March 08, 2014

UND vs. WMU - Game 2 (Senior Night)

North Dakota Forward Lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks
28 Stephane Pattyn–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
25 Mitch MacMillan–29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair
North Dakota Defense Pairings
18 Dillon Simpson–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

North Dakota Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
Western Michigan Broncos Forward Lines
8 Sheldon Dries–29 Will Kessel–25 Mike Cichy
24 Shane Berschbach–13 Chase Balisy–16 Nolan LaPorte
2 Mike McKee–28 Sam Mellor–23 Aaron Hadley
14 Colton Hargrove–10 Josh Pitt–17 Justin Kovacs

Western Michigan Broncos Defense Pairings
3 Thomas Nitsche–7 Kenney Morrison
9 Chris Dienes–20 Taylor Fleming
15 Jordan Oesterle–11 Dennis Brown

Western Michigan Broncos Goalies
1 Frank Slubowski
55 Lukas Hafner

On-Ice Officials: Derek Shepherd (3), Joe Sullivan (21). Linesmen: Andy Dokken (70), Brandon Schmitt (36). 


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Friday, March 07, 2014

UND vs. WMU Lines game 1

North Dakota Forward Lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks
28 Stephane Pattyn–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
25 Mitch MacMillan–29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair
North Dakota Defense Pairings
18 Dillon Simpson–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

North Dakota Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
Western Michigan Broncos Forward Lines
8 Sheldon Dries–29 Will Kessel–25 Mike Cichy
24 Shane Berschbach–13 Chase Balisy–17 Justin Kovacs
2 Mike McKee–26 Michael Rebry–28 Sam Mellor
14 Colton Hargrove–10 Josh Pitt–16 Nolan LaPorte
Western Michigan Broncos Defense Pairings
3 Thomas Nitsche–7 Kenney Morrison
9 Chris Dienes–20 Taylor Fleming
15 Jordan Oesterle–11 Dennis Brown

Western Michigan Broncos Goalies
55 Lukas Hafner
1 Frank Slubowski


On-Ice Officials: Derek Shepherd (3), Joe Sullivan (21). Linesmen: Andy Dokken (70), Brandon Schmitt (36). 
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Sunday, February 23, 2014

UND Hockey: Another Circle of Sticks and More Inner Geek

With the sweep against Minnesota Duluth, UND now has five series sweeps for the 2013-14 season. Last year, UND had three series sweeps (Holy Cross, Michigan Tech and Nebraska-Omaha).

That’s definitely an improvement. UND (18-9-3, 13-7-0 NCHC) is tied for first place in the NCHC with Saint Cloud State University. Breaking down UND’s record, they’re 11-5-1 at home and 7-4-2 on the road. With the win last night, UND clinches home ice for the NCHC playoffs. That’s the 12th season in a row that UND has qualified for home ice for the playoffs.

UND is smoking hot right now, they’re currently on a 14-2-1 (.853) run. It all started on November 29, 2013. UND had just lost 5-2 to St. Lawrence University, and owned a subpar 4-7-2 record. It was gloom and doom in the UND Nation.  After a closed door players meeting, UND would win 3-2 on Saturday night and start the current hot streak. After the Saturday night's 3-2 win against SLU, alternate captain Stephane Pattyn explained.

“Yesterday was kind of just an open floor,” Pattyn said. “Everyone talked, and gave their thoughts about what we needed to do. We had some great conversations. We definitely grew up as a team last night, and I think today’s (win) helped, too.”

Since November 30, 2013, UND has been a very good hockey team. Pattyn was right; they’ve grown up as a hockey team. During the current run, UND has scored 61 goals (3.67 GPG), and only given up 35 goals against (2.07 GA). UND has a goal differential of +26 during the hot streak. UND’s last four games have been better. The past two weekends UND has scored an eye popping 21 goals (5.25 GPG) and given up a stingy 6 goals against (1.50 GA). That’s a goal differential of +15. Talk about playing your best hockey at the end of the season.

Who’s Hot for UND

Sophomore forward Rocco Grimaldi has scored (2g-5a—7pts) his last three games.

Junior forward Michael Parks is smoking hot, and has scored (7g-10a—17pts) in the last 14 games.

Since his return from injury, junior forward Mark MacMillan has scored (5g-8a—13pts).

Senior defenseman Dillon Simpson (7g-13a—20pts) has scored 14 of his 20 points since November 30, 2013.

Sophomore defenseman Jordan Schmaltz has scored at least a point in seven of the last nine games (2g-6a—8pts).

Sophomore goalie Zane Gothberg is having a great second half. How hot is Gothberg? He’s unbeaten (10-0-1) in his last 11 games. He also owns a 1.66 GAA and a .934 save percentage. Yeah, that’s pretty good.
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Saturday, February 22, 2014

UND vs. UMD Game Two

Champ, UMD mascot.
Champ, UMD mascot. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
UND Forward lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
25 Mitch MacMillan–29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair
North Dakota Defense Pairings
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
Out: 7-Wade Murphy (Fr., F), 20-Gage Ausmus (Fr., D), 22-Andrew Panzarella (Jr., D), 26-Coltyn Sanderson (So., F), 30-Matt Hrynkiw (Fr., G)
Minnesota Duluth’s lines
11 Austin Farley–21 Caleb Herbert–25 Justin Crandall
14 Alex Iafallo–17 Dominic Toninato–26 Adam Krause
8 Kyle Osterberg–13 Tony Cameranesi–19 Max Tardy
23 Austyn Young – 27 Cal Decowsk28 Sammy Spurell

Minnesota Duluth Defense Pairings
4 Carson Soucy–7 Andy Welinski
6 Derik Johnson–15 Willie Raskob
16 Tim Smith–3 Dan Molenaar

Minnesota Duluth Goalies
36 Matt McNeely
1 Aaron Crandall
30 Alex Fons

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Friday, February 21, 2014

UND vs. UMD game one lines

UND Forward lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
25 Mitch MacMillan–29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair
North Dakota Defense Pairings
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders


Minnesota Duluth’s lines
11 Austin Farley–21 Caleb Herbert–18 Joe Basaraba
14 Alex Iafallo–17 Dominic Toninato–26 Adam Krause
8 Kyle Osterberg–13 Tony Cameranesi–25 Justin Crandall
19 Max Tardy–27 Cal Decowski–23 Austyn Young
Minnesota Duluth Defense Pairings
4 Carson Soucy–7 Andy Welinski
6 Derik Johnson–15 Willie Raskob
5 Willie Corrin–3 Dan Molenaar

Minnesota Duluth Goalies

1 Aaron Crandall
36 Matt McNeely
30 Alex Fons



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