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RE: [Deleted] - 6/27/2011 12:07:54 PM

SoMnFan

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Whoops ... my bad.
I heard this morning it was a done deal.
Maybe not.

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RE: [Deleted] - 6/27/2011 12:10:36 PM

SoMnFan

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From Strib

MORE QUESTIONS
So Hill is gone. He looks very much like a scapegoat for the the Gopher program's recent struggles.
Was he fired? Resigned? Release doesn't say.
Does he have another job? Again, who knows. If he doesn't late June isn't the best time for a hockey coach to be searching for a job. The first practice for the Gophers and most college teams, I suspect, is Oct. 1. How many unfilled openings are there?
According to a source close to one of the parties involved, university officials are talking to ex-Gophers coach Mike Guentzel about returning.
He left in April 2008, resigned supposedly, because he wanted to be a head coach. Actually, he was fired to create a spot for Omaha Lancers coach Mike Hastings who stayed one season. Hastings was replaced by Grant Potulny, an ex-Gophers player with limited coaching experience.
Guentzel has wandered far and wide in the three years he has been gone. There was one season as a Colorado College assistant, his son Gabe is a Tigers defenseman, one season as head coach and general manager of the Des Moines Bucs of the USHL and one season as a Nebraska Omaha assistant.
But his wife and youngest son never left the Twin Cities. Jake was a sophomore forward this past season for Hill-Murray. He had 19 goals and 30 assists for 49 points in 28 games.
Guentzel probably welcomes the chance to return to the Gophers. Most likely with a better contract than he has before and maybe a title, associate head coach. And the chance to be the clear No. 2 man on the staff.
He has some leverage in the negotiations because he already has a WCHA job, with a program at UNO that seems to be on the rise.
Still, the guess here is he will back on the Gophers' bench this season. And the Gophers defensemen will be better because of his return.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/2/2011 3:51:27 PM

Bruce Johnson

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Will the Gopher hockey team be better, next season? Are there any reasons for optimism?

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/2/2011 8:16:07 PM

Jeff Jesser

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YES on both accounts. We are bringing back the best staff in college hockey.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/7/2011 11:39:51 PM

SoMnFan

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Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota will soon announce they are leaving the WCHA for a new startup conference in 2013-14, the Grand Forks Herald has learned from multiple sources.
An official news conference is expected Wednesday in Colorado Springs.
At least four other teams will join UMD and UND: Denver, Colorado College, Nebraska-Omaha and Miami (Ohio). Notre Dame and an eighth school -- possibly Western Michigan -- also could be added by the end of the summer.
When reached Thursday, UND athletic director Brian Faison declined comment.
The league will begin at the same time as the Big Ten Hockey Conference, significantly changing the landscape of the college hockey world in two years.
Both the WCHA, which includes St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State Mankato, and CCHA will be left with five teams -- not enough for an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. They will likely have to combine under one of the league's umbrellas, but it is unknown which one.

Still sad to see this happening.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/8/2011 10:30:37 AM

Jeff Jesser

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Yeah, me too. I can't believe they are willing to let a conference like that, with that much history, just disband.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/11/2011 11:26:10 AM

twinsfan

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Kevin Gorg buggin the heck out of me on KFAN this morning. OK, I'm all for whining against what has happened to the WCHA. But he completely took the U of M and Wisconsin off the hook. "I get why they left. The Big Ten conference is a huge opportunity for college hockey." And then he rips into all the other schools that left, saying it's their fault for destroying the WCHA. I understand what he's trying to say........but how can you let the U of M and Wisconsin off the hook? This all started with their decision to leave. My hat's off to Lapanta though...he just disagreed with Gorg and said it's the U's and Wisconsin's fault for the demise of the WCHA. Gorg loyal to a fault to the U. Way to call it like it is, Lapanta. Now if he could just bring some of that truth in reporting to the Twins broadcasts. I suppose that will only happen when the Twins leave FSN for the MLB Network.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/11/2011 12:33:57 PM

djskillz

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I know this isn't exactly my territory so I defer to you guys, but I think the Big10 Conference could be a good thing overall, right?

I hate that the Alaska teams will lose those rivalries/matchups and be left out in the cold though. That's going to dramatically effect attendance for them I would think too, because probably 95% of Alaskans are midwesterners from places like Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/11/2011 2:09:19 PM

Jeff Jesser

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No, it's a disaster altogether. It'll be good for the money of the program but it totally blows.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/11/2011 2:55:24 PM

twinsfan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

No, it's a disaster altogether. It'll be good for the money of the program but it totally blows.

I agree. College hockey is never going to take over the nation. The setup they had, with the big schools mixed in with the small schools, was ideal for the game. It's as good as it was going to get. Now Big 10 hockey is going to be just another Big 10 sport like volleyball. Yay. Nobody is going to care about Big 10 hockey any more than they cared about WCHA hockey...in fact, I'm sure the Gophers and Badgers fans will be deeply disappointed in the Big 10 "rivalries" compared to what they had in the WCHA. The worst part is, of course, the small colleges that aren't going to have a TV deal worth jack. Less exposure for college hockey on a whole, because those small schools will have NO exposure. And the games that are on TV because of the Big 10 network, will include clunker games from Penn State.

Also, think of all the unreasonable costs for these schools. Yes, the Big 10 schools can absorb the higher travel costs. But now the WCHA is gonna have to combine with another conference to keep an NCAA bid. They will be travelling thousands of miles to play games against programs all across the country (NY, MN, Alaska, Alabama (?), Ohio, Michigan). It's insane. Those school have nothing in common other than their size. If they were going to realign the system, it should have all been regionalized. There's no reason the big schools like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State, etc., need to be in the same conference for college hockey.

After what MN and WI did to UMD, UND, UNO, Denver and CC, I don't blame them at all for starting their own conference. I bet their conference is better than the Big 10 for years, maybe forever. They needed to do something to set themselves apart talent-wise and show a network that they have a better product than the Big 10. Getting Miami-OH was huge for them...as was getting rid of the smaller schools in the WCHA, unfortunately. It's the only way they could get a TV deal that will keep them relevant on TV stations in the Midwest, at least. They have the Denver and Omaha markets, which are huge in the Midwest. Also a portion of the Ohio market...another great move. I like the way that league sets up over the Big 10, bigtime. Just wish it didn't leave BSU, St. Cloud, etc., in such a bad spot.

If given a choice between watching Big 10 hockey or the new UND/UMD/Colo league, I'd choose the latter. In fact, I think there's a good chance I don't watch Gopher hockey much anymore. I'll never be a UND fan...not even close...but at least I can be a UMD fan and hope they crush the Sioux. That's probably the route I'll go.

< Message edited by twinsfan -- 7/11/2011 2:58:00 PM >

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/11/2011 4:03:08 PM

djskillz

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I got it now; agreed with all of that. Good stuff, Matt.

Though one nitpick with your post; volleyball a Big10 sport? Umm, ya, a couple of schools do it there, but that is about as dominated by West Coast schools (small and large) as you can get. Only know this because I'm a Pepperdine guy.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/11/2011 7:28:17 PM

SoMnFan

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Good stuff guys.
Good on Lapanta .... screw the Big Ten in this case.
The WCHA was a great league, a classic league.
The U was gracious in "helping" all the "other" mN teams get a footing into big-time college hockey, they deserve kudos for that ... ( a move that ultimately codtd them players, prestige, and respect)
But they were wrong for bailing on the WCHA imo.
The latest defectors are guilty too, but I can't blame them, when the two biggest schools walk.
I've loved Gopher Hockey maybe as much a any team/sport/org .... but right now .... I could care less about Big Ten Hockey. Who cares.
And continuing to play a lot of the old WCHA schools will only become a gong show .... no consequences for stupid actions. Look for many of the rivalries they say will continue ... to not continue.
Just a bad idea, imo. All around.

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RE: [Deleted] - 7/11/2011 10:08:41 PM

twinsfan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

Good stuff guys.
Good on Lapanta .... screw the Big Ten in this case.
The WCHA was a great league, a classic league.
The U was gracious in "helping" all the "other" mN teams get a footing into big-time college hockey, they deserve kudos for that ... ( a move that ultimately codtd them players, prestige, and respect)
But they were wrong for bailing on the WCHA imo.
The latest defectors are guilty too, but I can't blame them, when the two biggest schools walk.
I've loved Gopher Hockey maybe as much a any team/sport/org .... but right now .... I could care less about Big Ten Hockey. Who cares.
And continuing to play a lot of the old WCHA schools will only become a gong show .... no consequences for stupid actions. Look for many of the rivalries they say will continue ... to not continue.
Just a bad idea, imo. All around.

The U will only schedule home games with nonconference teams....cuz then they get the gate. And they probably won't even schedule UND after a year or two because they'd rather rack up patsie wins against Sacred Heart. The rivalries are dead until they get to the NCAAs. And I don't really expect to see the Gophers there anytime soon. Unless the Big 10 cuts some sort of financial deal w/ the NCAA to get more Big 10 teams in....which with the Big 10 Network, I guess I could see happening.

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Guentzel Returns! - 7/14/2011 5:54:08 AM

SoMnFan

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Finally official ... great news for Gopher puck fans. We haven't won a thing since he left.

That new NCHC conference looks like a lot of fun. The new Big Ten one does not (iimo).
Sorry, still bitter.
Glad to hear the WCHA will hang in there. Sweet justice would be to have a couple of these knothead teams having to come crawling back someday. Won't happen, but it's fun to imagine.
60 years of WCHA hockey ... they deserved better treatment.
Oh well, we turn the page .... and its a much brighter outlook with Mikey back on the bench.
You the Man, Pete, you had this one early. Great news.

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 7/16/2011 9:44:55 PM

Pete M.

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Amazing how the futures of my two favorite hockey teams got a lot more rosy in a matter of weeks.

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 7/17/2011 11:29:42 AM

SoMnFan

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Loving it.
(yeah, I know ... we haven't played yet) 'But what great off-seasons for both.
Every team in town needs to take note.
Correcting mistakes.
Admitting weaknesses and faults.
Making moves to fix them all.

Is it really that hard?

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 7/17/2011 5:37:37 PM

Bruce Johnson

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Do the Gophers have the inside track on Mario Lucia? It sure would be cool for a Gopher to turn pro with the home team.

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 7/18/2011 9:35:44 AM

Jeff Jesser

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Nope, in fact. I've read the Gophers are 3rd on his list behind ND and CC. Notre Dame seems to be the overwhelming favorites.

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 7/18/2011 11:09:50 AM

SoMnFan

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I'm actually in favor of that (ND) .. for him and Dad.
It'd be easier on them.
They'll get raked by the old guard if he isn't immediately Gretzky-esque.
People freaked about Tony, and all he was, was a great, hard-working mucker that EARNED his time, every minute of it.

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 7/18/2011 12:56:19 PM

Jeff Jesser

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Yeap, hard worker for sure. It's never good, IMO, to lose talent. And, everything i've read about this kid is that he can be an NHL'er some day but it's probably for the better.

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 10/7/2011 8:59:17 PM

Lynn G.

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Up 6-0 in the third period. It's always good to start the season with a win.

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 10/8/2011 2:48:28 AM

SoMnFan

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Nice start.
No other team in college hockey has what we have behind the bench. Loaded.
Guentzels the man.

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RE: Guentzel Returns! - 10/8/2011 10:58:51 AM

Jeff Jesser

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great game but dissapointed in the crowd.