Thursday, July 23, 2015

Dave St. Peter on the 'No Nickname' Option for UND

If you haven't seen this, UND Nickname Committee member Dave St. Peter, Minnesota Twins president, gives his opinion on the North Dakota nickname option.

  Per Howard Sinker, Star Tribune.
St. Peter said he had two reasons for wanting to keep the no-nickname option. "I thought there was something incredibly powerful and unique about having the words 'North Dakota' stand alone without a nickname. I thought maybe this was a way to reinforce the heritage of the state. Others did not share it but it was something I got personally comfortable with watching our teams perform as 'North Dakota. The second reason was that it was clear to me from the constituency I represented (on the committee), the alumni base, felt very strongly about 'North Dakota' being an option -- and all of the public polling available seemed to indicate that North Dakota was clearly the popular choice. I wasn't comfortable eliminating it."

St. Peter added: "Some of the committee might disagree, but I think the politically correct thing to do was to eliminate 'North Dakota.' That was almost the sense I had, because of the connection to 'Fighting Sioux.' "

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The Catch-22 of Political Entities aka Why the Nickname Committee is Doomed to Fail

by Redwing77

Goon asked me to turn my rather long winded comment into a blog post.  So, here it is, with a little more explanation:

It's sad that I say this about my alma mater but... I am beginning to think that this is Marquette all over again.

Brief Recap:  Marquette used to be known as the Warriors and were under as much (perhaps more) pressure to change the nickname.  The Board (including the University President) decided to change the nickname to "The Gold" away from the student and alumni supported nickname, "Golden Eagles."  The result was a firestorm of consternation and animosity towards the University by just about everyone.  Like typical politicians, the powers that be spoke of stunned confusion wondering why such a backlash ensued, as the nickname's unofficial nickname was "The Blue and Gold" and "The Gold" was simply a reference back to the school colors.  Needless to say, they quickly turned the nickname over to the alumni and students (they gave 10 options) and Golden Eagles was resumed.

The TRUTH:  The Fighting Sioux nickname is dead.  All those UND fans and alumni who say "Fighting Sioux forever" and other such claptrap are just flatout delusional.  I will side with the PC crowd in say "move on."  However, that's the ONLY thing I'll side with them about.

In any case, I wonder how much money UND is standing to lose over this whole thing.
It's funny.  Congresspeople often go against their constituency for a variety of reasons (usually due to special interest groups, riders on the bill that favors their constituency (see Bridge to Nowhere), or some sort of personal or party agenda) and though people gripe about it, they get over it because it may be for the better of the nation somehow and we, as the public, may not have all of the information they have.

This is NOT that case.  In the case of a nickname, it's an identity of the University's staff, faculty, students, athletes, and alumni (not to mention fans and supporting community) and it CAN be decided by popularity as long as the name that is selected follows the criteria set up by the overseeing body: in this case both the UND President and Board of Directors and the NCAA.

Sadly, at one point I looked up to Bridewell.  He was my advisor at UND and I really liked the man, but his comment in that article said it best:  "If we say no nickname, then Kelley might dissolve the committee."  The committee has tasted power and it has corrupted most of the committee.  This nickname is its legacy and they do not want to be seen as being sacrificed in the name of what the people want.  They want to make a change.  Let's call this "Myles Brand Syndrome."  They are making a change for the sake of making a change.  In political circles, it's called "political suicide." 

Not all of the committee is a farce, as you say.  There were a few, like St. Peters and Goehring, who understand what the TRUE purpose of the nickname committee is:  To produce a short, concise list of acceptable nicknames for the people to vote upon to help direct the future identity of the University.  Having UND/North Dakota on the ballot does not endanger the committee at all, as they'd also include their idiotic suggestions like Fighting Hawks (which I thought was eliminated from the final five), Sundogs, and the future lawsuit favorite North Stars.

Politically speaking, this is what the PC crowd tainted with liberalism truly represent.  The public at large is too clueless, racist, sexist, and ignorant to know what is best.  There needs to be an overriding authority to tell them what is best for them and to "guide" them towards "enlightenment."  Orwell, eat your heart out.

My guess that, if the vote isn't a hoax, people will now overwhelmingly vote in "NoDaks" and simply continue to use North Dakota.  It's what I'd do.

Sadly, I fear that the backlash will cost UND a LOT of money.  I wish I could find out how long Marquette was known as "The Gold" but it wasn't very long... perhaps less than 6 months.

So, Mr. Bridewell, what's better:  Be disbanded for standing up for what the public wants or being nullified in effigy a few months after your disasterous decision goes final when the University is forced to revisit the nickname due to massive loss of alumni support?

Edit: UND Nickname Selection Process is a Farce

I have been on vacation since last Thursday evening, and I left my laptop computer at home, instead of bringing it on my vacation. So, yes, I am a little late to the party. That doesn't mean I haven't been thinking/seething about this. Because I have.

First, while I love the Fighting Sioux nickname, I understand that the University of North Dakota can not go back to being the Fighting Sioux. It's never going to happen, especially in today's day and age where you have a God-given right to not be offended. That's not the point of this blog post. I am just going to give my brief opinion on a the very flawed process UND has taken to come up with a new nickname.

In my opinion, the UND Nickname Committee should go back to the nickname suggestions that didn't make the list and find some better choices. There are many nicknames on that list that are better than five remaining choices. Without looking at the list, Aeros, Aviators and Nokota come to mind. Sad that they didn't make the list.

I have had a few people tweet me that UND has already picked a new nickname and this is nothing but a side show or a farce. It "almost" looks like this becoming reality. It's a matter of if UND is the North Stars or Sundogs. North Stars is better than Sundogs. 

Last night, while I was watching television with my father, Twitter blew up with the announcement that the UND Nickname Committee had decided to drop North Dakota as an option from the remaining nickname choices. Another great decision from that group. Shocking, yes, but not unpredictable.

There're a lot of people that aren't happy with this decision, to include Karl Goehring. If you don't believe people are upset with this decision go back and check out twitter.

Per the Grand Forks Herald.
The decision to eliminate playing as UND/North Dakota didn't please everyone on the committee, as Chairman Karl Goehring wanted to let the public decide whether to essentially move forward with no new nickname.

"I have several friends who are athletes, and not a single one plays hockey," committee member and UND student Jazmyn Friesz said. "They just want to stay UND, not to bring back Fighting Sioux."

Regardless, committee member and UND alumna Diane Hillebrand made the motion to eliminate UND/North Dakota. Committee member and UND faculty member John Bridewell seconded it.

The motion passed seven to four with Friesz, Goehring and committee members Dave St. Peter and Lowell Schweigert, a UND alumnus, casting dissenting votes.
While I believe the UND Nickname Committed has done a subpar job, they're in a tough spot. There're many people from the politically correct crowd chirping in their ear and telling the UND Nickname Committee how they've got to pick something, just not North Dakota.

Moving forward with simply "North Dakota" can't be an option. Just ask the anti-Fighting Sioux nickname crowd (obviously, there's other fans that don't like the no nickname option, I realize that, they're just not as vocal). Their reason, remaining UND or North Dakota is a pseudo way of keeping the Fighting Sioux nickname alive. Whatever. 

So, what do you tell the UND athletes that are chiming in on Twitter today? Does their opinion not matter? Their opinion matters more than some troll from another fan base that replies to their tweet lecturing them and telling them that they have to move on. It's also easy for a newspaper writer from another town to tell people to move on. Especially when they have no skin in the game. 

I have chatted with a number of former athletes that would like to remain simply "North Dakota". I guess their opinion doesn't matter all that much. 

Let me tell you something; when the UND president picks one of the five remaining horrible nicknames, people are still going to yell "go Sioux" at UND sporting events. That's a true statement. It's going to happen. You can bank on it. 

When the national anthem is played at UND sporting events, they're still going to have fans yelling "Sioux." No matter how hard the handwringers try, it's not going away. Not anytime soon. The anti-Fighting Sioux nickname people can scream and write all of the letters to the editors that they want, but it won't change anything.

I want to caution President Robert O. Kelly, if he decides to go ahead and disregard the will the people (Alumni, former student-athletes, current athletes and current UND students) and picks the wrong nickname, i.e. Sundogs, he's going to set off a firestorm.

IMHO, I am for any  remaining nickname, just not Sundogs. I preferred North Dakota. 

More flawed logic

Per Dave Davidson, Sr. Devils Lake ND.
To replace an honorable and beloved name that stood for 80 years with one as suggested is calloused and insulting to American Indians.

Grand Forks Red River High School—whose nickname is Roughriders—is not national; it is local. It is not moving on from an American Indian image and never had one. It is an entirely different situation, and in its case, the nickname is neither hostile nor derogatory, and it represents the high school with dignity. There are no similarities to the UND situation.

For these reasons as well as many others, Roughriders should not be considered as a nickname for UND. If the Herald were an investigative-reporting paper rather than an advisee-group-supporter paper and told the whole truth instead of convenient truths only, then the state could make an informed decision.

This line of thinking is how the Univeristy of North Dakota ends up with the unacceptable nickname Sundogs.  So, now Rough Riders is offensive to Native Americans and we can't have that nickname? I am endorsing anything but Sundogs.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Murphy officially to ASU; Gerlach to Major Juniors

by Redwing77

Forward Wade Murphy has transferred officially to Arizona State University per Brad Schlossman.  In my opinion, it's not surprising but rather disappointing.  I had heard great things about Murphy coming into his time at UND and he just couldn't put things together.

He has to sit out a year (in 115 degree heat) before being able to lace the skates up, but all the best for him.  He'll be in a great position to be the leader on a young-ish team.

In other news:  Max Gerlach bolted for the WHL.  The Texas-born winger played in Colorado last year.  He's off to the Medicine Hat Tigers organization.  He was listed as a 2017 recruit.

It's yet another example of why I believe players will go to the NCAA (if drafted by Major Junior teams) only if they actually suit up.  Next to go Major Juniors?  Jost and/or Fabbro.

I guess that means I'll care about him if/when he gets to the NHL.  Best of luck.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Here Comes Your Fighting Sundogs, Hopefully not

The UND Nickname Committee has decided that these are the seven remaining nicknames: Fighting Hawks, Green Hawks, Nodaks, North Dakota, North Stars, Roughriders, Sundogs. Six of the seven nickname choices are acceptable. I like the no nickname option or Rough Riders. I could live with one of the Hawks. I find nickname Sundogs to be intolerable and down right moronic.

If the University of North Dakota selects this horrible nickname, they will make a mockery out of the University. Don't do it. Yet, this horrible selection remains on the list. Be very afraid.
Tom Dennis, Grand Forks Herald -- So, we wonder: How on earth can someone claim the nickname Roughriders stirs some sort of sexual connotation and that it shouldn't be used as the next mascot of the University of North Dakota sports teams?

It was discussed last month by UND's nickname committee. After noting "Roughriders" received the most points during a recent round of nickname discussion, consultants from PadillaCRT -- a company lending aid to the committee -- said the nickname has an inappropriate double meaning.

"This crosses the line and could be embarrassing and problematic," said Kelly O'Keefe, one of the consultants.

Oops. Don't tell that to the 1,200 or so kids who attend Grand Forks Red River High School, which also uses Roughriders as its nickname. Or the thousands of alumni who have passed through the halls of Red River.
As long as Sundogs remains on the list, I am leery. After reading Tom Dennis' opinion piece today, I remain even more skeptical. I almost wonder if they're setting us up? No, there's not a black helicopter with a swat team landing in my back yard.  Thoughts?

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Twenty players headed for salary arbitration

There are 20 NHL players headed toward salary arbitration. As you can see, there's a college hockey connection for some of the players on the list.


Arizona Coyotes: Philip Samuelsson (July 21) B.C., Brendan Shinnimin (July 20)
Calgary Flames: Lance Bouma (July 22), Paul Byron (July 30), Josh Jooris (July 28) UC
Colorado Avalanche: Andrew Agozzino (July 20), Mat Clark (July 22)
Edmonton Oilers: Justin Schultz (July 24) * UW
Minnesota Wild: Erik Haula (July 31) MN
Nashville Predators: Craig Smith UW (July 20), Colin Wilson (July 28) BU
New Jersey Devils: Eric Gelinas (July 21), Adam Larsson (July 29)
New York Rangers: Derek Stepan (July 27) UW
Ottawa Senators: Alex Chiasson (July 23) BU, Mike Hoffman (July 30)
Philadelphia Flyers: Michael Del Zotto (July 21)
Toronto Maple Leafs: Jonathan Bernier (July 31)*
Washington Capitals: Braden Holtby (July 23), Marcus Johansson (July 29)

Sunday, July 12, 2015

It's Hard Being Phil Kessel

English: Phil Kessel, 29.04.2007 USA-Belarus I...
I have been watching the Phil Kessel trade unfold in the media the last couple of weeks and it's been interesting.

During my lifetime, I have not seen a player receive so much negative press. In fact, some of the stuff that has been written about him is downright malicious.

Here's some of the stuff that's caught my eye since Kessel was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After all he's been through, Kessel enjoyed his time in Toronto.
“Toronto was a place I loved, and it’s not easy leaving that, even with everything else,” he told writer Dejan Kovacevic. “That’s the first thought. And then after that, I just see (Wednesday’s trade) as a great opportunity to be part of something special in Pittsburgh with some great players. I’m excited.” (Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun)
Questions about Kessel's weight never seem to subside. Apparently, the hot dog vendor in his neighborhood is going to miss him.  Per self-proclaimed Kessel hater Steve Simmons:
The hot dog vendor who parks daily at Front and John Sts. just lost his most reliable customer.

Almost every afternoon at 2:30 p.m., often wearing a toque, Phil Kessel would wander from his neighbourhood condominium to consume his daily snack.

And now he’s gone. Just like that. The Maple Leafs could no longer stomach having Kessel around, the first player to be both punished and rewarded for the saddest Leafs season in history.
Another Toronto Sun writer thought it was time for Kessel to leave.
OK, let’s be clear, I’m not defending Phil Kessel, who was traded by the Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

People who are close to the situation say almost unanimously that it was time for Kessel to leave.

But the question I have is, did it really have to get to this point? (Bill Harris, Toronto Sun)
Sports Net's Elliotte Friedman says that Kessel will be missed in Toronto.
At the end of the day, Kessel was traded because he was Toronto’s most marketable player they were willing to deal. He could get the best return, including cap space. Nothing else excited them and bringing back the same group was unacceptable to Brendan Shanahan. There’s no doubt this was unfulfilled potential for him and for the team. He’s a lightning rod, a polarizing figure and is responsible for that. But the toughest thing the Maple Leafs lose is a talented player who (for the most part) could ignore the market noise. You need guys like that in Canada, who either embrace it (Subban) or tune it out (Sedins). That’s hard to find. And I think there are some charities who will really miss him. He did a lot, very quietly.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Is the New Orleans Saints Logo Racist?

English: New Orleans Saints' Fleur-de-lis logo...
This story was on the Daily Caller two days ago. Are the Saints the next ones to come under fire? Thoughts?
Wynton Yates, Eyewitness News -- The fleur de lis is a symbol that is deeply ingrained in Louisiana's history. Seen in architecture, the state flag and on the helmets of the Saints, it's everywhere.

But while it is now seen as the mark of our great state, it was once used to mark slaves.

"Code noir, those words are French and mean black code," said slave historian Dr. Ibrahima Seck.

The black code was a set of regulations adopted in Louisiana in 1724 from other French colonies around the world, meant to govern the state's slave population. Seck said those rules included branding slaves with the fleur de lis as punishment for running away.

Roughriders nickname = Racism


sPresident of the United States Theodore Roosev...

I have been reading some of the letters to the editors and C.T. Marhula from Grand Forks tells us that we can't select the Roughriders nickname because it's racist. So, let me get this straight,  the nickname Roughriders are racist? 
Does that mean that the Saskatchewan Roughriders also are racist, too? I am getting confused with all of this political correctness run amuck. In the era where everyone has a God-given right to not be offended, what's next? Do we take Teddy's face off of Mount Rushmore? We're going down a slippery slope here. 

If for some reason, the public votes for the Roughriders nickname the school doesn't have to tie it into the former president Theodore Roosevelt. 

As to the growing support for Roughriders: Really? After Teddy Roosevelt? "Nowadays, we undoubtedly ought to break up the great Indian reservations, disregard the tribal governments ... The settler and pioneer have at bottom had justice on their side; this great continent could not have been kept as nothing but a game preserve for squalid savages." Did the consultant provide these Teddy Roosevelt quotes to the committee?

Grand Forks Herald Letter: Roosevelt's racism puts 'Roughriders' off-limits



I honestly don't know what to make of this Letter to the editor, but it seems we're reaching here or that we are quick to find something that offends us. 

First, I love the Fighting Sioux nickname and wore it with pride this past week in Michigan. That being said, the Fighting Sioux nickname isn't coming back. I see no way that it does. Here's the latest letter from Tom Anderson from Fargo, ND. What do you think of this? 
150 
As a UND alumnus, I find it interesting how much faith and money UND has placed in an outside consultant. After seeing the final list of names, I conclude that the consultants should be fired for incompetence.
To forward the name "Roughriders" and any connection to Teddy Roosevelt would be a greater travesty than removing the 85-plus year tradition of the Fighting Sioux name.
Doesn't this highly paid consultant know that Roosevelt was a self-admitted white supremacist? Just look at his writings to see glaring examples; such as, "I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indian is the dead Indian, but I believe nine out of every 10 are, and I shouldn't like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth. The most vicious cowboy has more moral principle than the average Indian."
Further examples of his racism are found in Vol. 3 of "The Winning of the West," in which he viewed American Indians as savages, unworthy of citizenship. In Roosevelt's letter known as the "race suicide letter," he wrote, any white person who did not have children was "in effect a criminal against the race." His thinking was that reproduction was the only way the white race could conquer colored races.
We can't rewrite history. We can't ignore these facts about Roosevelt—or the historical fact that in a Sacred Religious Pipe Ceremony, the Sioux Tribe gave UND the use of the name Fighting Sioux forever.
With UND President Robert Kelley leaving, this is the perfect time to take a deep breath and wait for the name change until a new president is selected. "North Dakota" is the most popular choice by the general public. Don't throw salt in our wounds by selecting a name no one wants or will support.
Tom Anderson
Fargo

Wednesday, July 08, 2015

UND Releases list of Incoming Freshmen

by Redwing77

UND is going into next season with 10 brand new faces.  This is the largest freshman class since 2011-2012.  Here's an overview:

Forwards:

Brock Boeser (pronounced BESS-er):  Highly skilled forward taken in the first round in the 2015 NHL draft by Vancouver.

 Ht: 6-0    Wt: 191      Pos: F     Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.                 Previous Team: Waterloo (USHL)    
Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft ... Spent the 2014-15 season with the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Waterloo Blackhawks … Earned USHL All-Star First Team and USHL All-Rookie Team honors … Appeared in 57 games for the Blackhawks … Tied for the league lead with 35 goals and finished third in the USHL scoring race with 68 points …  Invited to the 2015 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp Roster by USA Hockey … Captained USA to a bronze medal at the 2014-15 Ivan Hlinka Tournament and led the team with six goals in five games … Tied for the team scoring lead with seven points in five games and led USA to a silver medal at the 2013-14 Ivan Hlinka Tournament … Helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal at the 2013-14 Five Nations Tournament.

Redwing77's Take:  I've seen him play a few times against Omaha.  He did quite a good job on the ice.  He was always a factor in the game for Waterloo, despite the fact that the closest Waterloo came to beating Omaha was a shootout loss (Boeser shot second and Oldham made the save).

Name: Rhett Gardner                   Ht: 6-2    Wt: 215      Pos: F     Hometown: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan                Previous Team: Okotoks (AJHL)                                                       

Spent the past two seasons with the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), where he totaled 37 goals and 54 assists for 91 points in 106 career games … Appeared in 54 games in 2014-15 and led the Oilers in points (54), goals (24) and assists (30) … Added a team-leading six points in seven playoff games … Earned AJHL All-Rookie Team honors in 2013-14 when he collected 13 goals and 24 assists in 52 games … Represented Canada West each of the last two years at the World Junior A Challenge, serving as team captain in 2014-15 and winning a bronze medal in 2013-14.

Name: Shane Gersich                   Ht: 5-9    Wt: 174      Pos: F     Hometown: Chaska, Minn.                      Previous Team: Omaha (USHL)        

Drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round (134th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft … Spent the 2014-15 season with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers and led the team in goals (27), power-play points (16), power-play goals (10) and game-winning goals (5) … Added 23 assists for 50 points in 52 games … Represented the U.S. at the 2014-15 World Junior A Challenge … Spent the 2013-14 season with the U.S. National Team Development Program … Had 16 goals and 16 assists in 61 games with the U.S. Under-18 Team and helped team to a gold medal at the U-18 World Championship.

Redwing77's take:  I've watched him play all year long.  He started out being pretty much the SOLE goal scorer for the Lancers, during which they were AWFUL at home.  As the season progressed, the Lancers got better and, though Gersich didn't necessarily diminish in performance, he became less noticeable.  Shane is an energy player and he LOVES to shoot the puck.  It's hard to predict what he'll be like in Grand Forks, but he's served on a scoring line in Omaha and on a checking line with the U.S. NTDP.  He could be just about anywhere... adding grit to a scoring line or adding scoring to a grit line.  My armchair prediction is that he'll be on the third or fourth line as a freshman.

Name: Mike Gornall                     Ht: 5-9    Wt: 201      Pos: F     Hometown: Irwin, Pa.                              Previous Team: Topeka (NAHL)       

Spent the past two seasons with the Topeka Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) … Amassed 21 goals and 50 assists in 113 career games with Topeka … Added 10 goals and 14 points in 19 career playoff games … Served as team captain in 2014-15 and collected 15 goals and 34 assists in 58 games … Had a team-leading seven goals and nine points in eight playoff games … Was a teammate of fellow UND freshman Matej Tomek in 2014-15.


Name: Joel Janatuinen                Ht: 6-0    Wt: 176      Pos: F     Hometown: Espoo, Finland                    Previous Team: Sioux City (USHL)   

Spent the 2014-15 season – his first in North America – with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers and registered 21 goals and 29 assists in 50 games … Also owned a plus-20 rating … Added a team-leading three goals in five playoff games … Spent the 2013-14 season in Finland’s Jr. A. SM-Liiga league and led the Blues U20 to a league championship … Had 22 goals and 26 assists in 46 games, tying for second on the team in goals and tying for third in points … Won the league’s Jere Lehtinen Award as Gentleman of the Year … Joins fellow freshman Matej Tomek, Slovakia’s Rastislav Spirko (2004-06), Denmark’s Lars Oxholm (1991-93) and the Czech Republic’s Zdenek “Stan” Marek (1950-51) as the only Europeans to play men’s hockey at UND.

Redwing77's take:  I've watched him play 3 times last season and, though he scored 1 goal and 1 assist in the first game of the year last year, he was pretty good overall.  To be honest, though, I really wasn't paying too much attention to him at the time because all three games took place before he committed to UND.

Name: Chris Wilkie                      Ht: 6-0    Wt: 195      Pos: F     Hometown: Omaha, Neb.                       Previous Team: Tri-City (USHL)        

Drafted by the Florida Panthers in the sixth round (162nd overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft …  spent the past two seasons with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm and was named to the USHL Second All-Star Team in 2014-15 after tying for the league’s goal-scoring lead with 35 goals … Added 20 assists for 55 points in 59 games … Had 17 goals and 19 assists in 57 games as a USHL rookie in 2013-14 … Won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2012-13 Under-17 World Championship … Father, David, was a defenseman who spent parts of six seasons in the NHL with Montreal, Tampa Bay and the New York Rangers.

 Redwing77's Take:  Ok, I'm not going to give you stats, but I watched Chris play a lot this year and he was ALL over the place when I was watching him.  He was by far the most fun player to watch on a very talented Tri-City team.  He seemed to play in every situation and he also manned the point on the Power Play.  He was very effective in that capacity vs. Omaha.  I really liked Wilkie's play, even if he's more inconsistent than Boeser and not as good defensively as Boeser or Gersich.

Defensemen:

Name: Danys Chartrand              Ht: 6-1    Wt: 188      Pos: D    Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba           Previous Team: Flin Flon (MJHL)      

Spent the past three seasons with the Flin Flon Bombers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) … Amassed 11 goals and 39 assists in 146 career games with the Bombers … Earned Flin Flon’s Academic Award in 2014-15 … Received the team’s MVP and Best Defenseman Awards in 2013-14 after totaling eight goals and 14 assists in 56 games … Named Flin Flon’s Rookie of the Year in 2012-13 … Father, Ken, attended UND … Sister, Nik, swam collegiately at Delta State University.  Name prounounced:  Danny SHAR-trand

Redwing77's Take:  Ok, I don't have much to say about this guy except Coach Berry said that he's used up his junior eligibility and talked about needing depth in case of injury.  My guess is that this guy is much like a Coltyn Sanderson and Jim Senkbeil type guy.

Name: Hayden Shaw                    Ht: 5-9    Wt: 191      Pos: D    Hometown: Woodbury, Minn.                Previous Team: Dubuque (USHL)     

Spent the previous two seasons in the USHL, playing for the Waterloo Blackhawks in 2013-14 and splitting the 2014-15 season between Waterloo and the Dubuque Fighting Saints … Earned USHL First All-Star Team honors in 2014-15 after tying for third among the league’s defensemen in scoring with (6-36—42) and plus-minus rating (plus-20) in 46 games … Tied for the playoff scoring lead among defensemen with 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in eight games for Dubuque  … Was named to the 2013-14 USHL All-Rookie Team after amassing eight goals and 21 assists in 53 games … Son of UND assistant coach Matt Shaw.

Redwing77's Take:  I liked Shaw.  He factored in most of his games vs. Omaha this past season despite splitting time between two teams.  I think he's a puck mover and an offensive defenseman.  One thing I noticed (though not live) is that he seemed to be far more noticeable in the playoffs.  This is a good thing.

Name: Christian Wolanin             Ht: 6-1    Wt: 177      Pos: D    Hometown: Rochester, Mich.                 Previous Team: Muskegon (USHL)  

Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft … Spent the last three years in in the USHL … Named to USHL Second All-Star Team in 2014-15 after scoring 14 goals and 27 assists in 41 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks … Ranked second among USHL defensemen in goals and fifth in points … Totaled six goals and 28 assists in 109 games over his previous two seasons with Muskegon and Green Bay … Father, Craig, was an NHL defenseman who enjoyed a 13-year career with New Jersey, Quebec, Colorado, Tampa Bay and Toronto.

 Redwing77's Take:  This kid interests me.  He is listed on the release as being from Rochester, Michigan but on the NHL Draft ticker as being from Quebec City, Quebec.  It's not a big deal but it was interesting to me.  What's also interesting is that he's a convert.  He started out playing forward and switched to defense either in high school or at the USHL level.  With UND's tendency to play "fast and loose" with positions (see Senkbeil, Poolman, and Chay Genoway as a few examples) it would not shock me to see him play just about any skating position.  The only meaningless note from my personal observations is that he served this year as Captain of the Lumberjacks.  I mention this because he spent an awful lot of time complaining to the refs when he faced Omaha.

Goaltender

Name: Matej Tomek                     Ht: 6-2    Wt: 179      Pos: G    Hometown: Bratislava, Slovakia            Previous Team: Topeka (NAHL)       
Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round (90th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft … Spent the 2014-15 season with the North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) Topeka Roadrunners, where he was a teammate of fellow UND freshman Mike Gornall … Named NAHL Goaltender of the Year and earned All-NAHL Team honors after going 24-7-2 with a 1.83 goals against average and .928 save percentage … Also had six shutouts, tied for second-most in the league … Joins fellow freshman Joel Janatuinen, Slovakia’s Rastislav Spirko (2004-06), Denmark’s Lars Oxholm (1991-93) and the Czech Republic’s Zdenek “Stan” Marek (1950-51) as the only Europeans to play men’s hockey at UND.  Pronounced:  Matay Toe-mak.

Redwing77's Take:  In my opinion, goaltending is the biggest question mark going into next season for UND.  Yes, our D has a big new look, but the Cam Johnson I saw in the USHL and the Cam Johnson I saw last year were two different players and, sadly, rather shaky.  That being said, Tomek played well enough to get drafted...but he comes from a league that isn't as solid as the USHL.  My hope is that Tomek is another coming of two former NAHL goaltending superstars:  Ryan Miller or Ben Bishop (despite Bishop being 4-5 inches taller).


Monday, July 06, 2015

Sunday, July 05, 2015

Brandon Dubinsky not a Fan of Mike Reilly

One has to wonder if this wasn't a drunk tweet or something along those lines. That being said, Columbus Blue Jackets isn't a fan of former Gopher Mike Reilly. 

Obviously, Reilly isn't the first college hockey player to go this route to the NHL, but I can see how Dubinsky and his Blue Jackets teammates might not be that impressed with the ex-Gopher's decision. Dubinsky has since deleted his tweet



Saturday, July 04, 2015

God Bless America



I got to thinking, this is very appropriate today. Enjoy.

Happy 4th of July



Happy 4th of July from the bloggers at Goon's World. What are you thankful for on this holiday?

A photo posted by Eric J. Burton (@eric.burton.94801) on


A photo posted by Eric J. Burton (@eric.burton.94801) on

Friday, July 03, 2015

Mark Schuttenhelm: Tackling the nickname dilemma

My friend Mark Schuttenhelm wrote this article for today's Jamestown Sun. For those to don't know Mark, he's a great hockey mind and writes a weekly column about college hockey during the regular season. I have sat next to him in the REA press box for the last three seasons. Mark and I have had many great discussions about college hockey and about life in general.

I like what he wrote here. I think he's right, the UND nickname committee has needlessly spent a lot of money to end with these six not so great nickname choices. I don't really like any of these choices. I could tolerate one of the Hawks and Rough Riders. Like Schuttenhelm, I would rather just stay North Dakota, too.
Mark Schuttenhelmm, Jamestown Sun -- The UND nickname committee has narrowed it down to six possibilities — Green Hawks, Fighting Hawks, Nodaks, Roughriders, Sundogs, North Stars.

They're kidding us with these names, right? Unfortunately — no. Sadly, this group is said to be the cream of the crop amongst all the names submitted by the folks.

Now look, I know the nickname committee members are not being paid for this work, so I'm hesitant to rip them. And besides, they have taken on an impossible task. This is a fact I pointed out two years ago when I came out in favor of foregoing a nickname and logo and simply using North Dakota, or UND for short, and thankfully, that option does remain on the table as well.

Back in 2013, I said it was unlikely that anyone could come up with a nickname that would even approach "Fighting Sioux" on any number of levels. Likewise, creating a logo to replace the beautiful Sioux Indian head was also an impossible task.
And seriously, he's right, Sundogs sounds ridiculous, moronic and should have been removed from the nickname list a long time ago. Yet, it's still there. I hope we never have to see Home of the Sundogs.
North Dakota Hockey is succinct, dignified, and gets right to the point, namely, that we are serious about our hockey up here. Substitute any other sport at UND in place of "hockey" and the phrase works equally well. Can you imagine if the side of the Ralph said "Home of the Sundogs?"

Thursday, July 02, 2015

TJ Oshie is now a Washington Capital

by Redwing77

Today, T.J. Oshie, a former UND standout forward and St. Louis first round draft pick, was traded to the Washington Capitals.

In return, St. Louis receives former Blackhawk Troy Brouwer, former MTU goaltender Phoenix Copley, and a 2016 3rd round pick.

Oshie had a down year last year only recording 55 points (19g-36a), which is down from 2013-14 campaign where he had 60 points (21g-39a).  In other words, Oshie had an ok, but not great year last year.

Troy Brouwer had a "stellar" year where he scored 21g-22a (43 pts) in 82 games.  Phoenix Copley played 2 years at MTU before spending one year between Washington's ECHL and AHL team.  He posted a respectable 17-4-3 record with a 2.17 GAA and a .925 Save% in 26 games with the Hershey Bears.

My thoughts?  St. Louis wanted to make changes at the top of their lineup.  That meant trading Backes, Oshie, or both.  They traded Oshie.  They got meh in return.

This isn't a colossally bad trade (like Minnesota did by trading Nick Leddy for Ben Eager a few years back), but it's trading Washington a first line player (who will probably play on Washington's second line) for a 2nd line/3rd line forward.  The video in the article said "I love this move for Washington."  and "I love this move for Oshie."  What did they say for Brouwer and St. Louis?  "Interesting move for St. Louis."  Yup.

I recognize they wanted to make a change.  But the question is:  Are you making a change to make a difference and improve your team or are you making a change just to make a change (send a message)?  My guess:  This was a trade just to make a change.  St. Louis did not improve one bit from this. 

Winner:  Washington

Wednesday, July 01, 2015

The End of Native American Nicknames?

Redskins primary logo 1972-1981, 1983-present
The Senate Democrats and President Obama are on a full court press to get rid of the Washington Redskins nickname. I believe they're going to come after other sports teams that use Native American nicknames.

This begs the question, are native American nicknames on the way out? Will they cave to political correctness.
WASHINGTON (AP) The National Park Service won't grant the District of Columbia a new lease for the site of the Washington Redskins' old stadium in part because Interior Secretary Sally Jewell opposes the team's name.

Jewell reiterated that position during a meeting in late April with Mayor Muriel Bowser, Interior Department spokeswoman Jessica Kershaw said. Bowser's administration has been in preliminary talks with the Redskins about moving the team back to Washington and building a new stadium. The team currently plays its home games at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, but the Redskins' lease there expires in 2026.
''Secretary Jewell has been clear that she considers the Washington football team's name a relic of the past and believes it should be changed,'' Kershaw said.
Per the Washington Post:
“Efforts to lure the Washington Redskins back to the District have come up against a potentially insurmountable challenge: the Obama Administration’s objections to the team’s name.”
Where ever you stand on the issue, I don't see some professional teams caving to the political correctness pressure without lawsuits and a big ugly fight. Nor should they.

Seriously, in this case, I could see lawsuits coming or the Redskins relocating to another more friendly area that will allow them to build their new stadium there. The Redskins could just wait till Obama is out of office and see what happens.