Updates & Links

Jason Gregoire has opted to forgo his senior season to become an NHL free agent. Gregoire was a third round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 2007, but due to a clause in the NHL's CBA, any draftee four years removed from their draft year becomes a free agent if they do not sign a contract within 30 days of officially withdrawing from school. Gregoire and New Hampshire's Blake Kessel are the latest to use the CBA rules to their advantage, here's a little bit of analysis from the New York end (scroll down to the the third story), and are the Minnesota Wild a contender for Gregoire's services?


The Fighting Sioux have received a commitment from Michael Di Puma of the NAHL's Wenatchee Wild to play for UND beginning this fall. Di Puma will add valued roster depth at the forward spot after the early departures of Brett Hextall and Jason Gregiore and the transfers of Brett Bruneteau and Michael Cichy. Di Puma's junior numbers can be viewed right here.


Here's a video interview with 2011-12 Fighting Sioux recruit JT Miller:

The 2011 IIHF World Championships wrapped up, with Finland winning gold. Former Sioux Chris Porter suited up for Team USA while his former Sioux teammate Travis Zajac represented Canada. Both players dressed for all of their team's games, but neither player was able to leave Slovakia with a medal.

Each players tournament stats can be found below:

Team USA

Team Canada


Zajac also reacts to the possibility of the Atlanta Thrashers moving to his hometown of Winnipeg, discusses his World Championship experience, and expresses confidence that New Jersey Devil's teammate and former Sioux Zach Parise will remain a Devil in this Fire & Ice blog post.

Former Sioux Matt Smaby and the Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs following their Game 7 loss to Boston last Friday. Smaby was the last remaining Sioux on an active NHL roster this season.

In the AHL, David Hale's Binghamton Senators are taking on the Houston Aeros in the Calder Cup Finals. Hale has not participated in the playoffs due to injury, but he remains on the Senator's active roster. The series is tied at one game apiece with action set to resume Wednesday, June 1.

Former Sioux and current New Jersey Devil Zach Parise, who can become a restricted free agent this summer, has yet to have any contract discussions with the Devils. An In Lou We Trust blog post breaks down why other NHL teams may refrain from issuing a potentially pricey offer sheet to Parise. 

The Hockey News' Rumor Roundup says Parise and the Devils might be headed towards arbitration, while Chicago's offseason priorities may not include resigning former Sioux Ryan Johnson.

Current Buffalo Sabre and former Sioux Drew Stafford makes this list of ten free agents ready to see significant pay increases.