NHL Free Agency:
| PLAYER | 2010-2011 TEAM | FA STATUS | NEW TEAM | SIGNING/CONTRACT DETAILS |
| Zach Parise | New Jersey | RFA | New Jersey | 1 Year, $6 Million |
| Drew Stafford | Buffalo | RFA | Buffalo | 4 Years, $16 Million |
| David Hale | Ottawa | UFA | ||
| Matt Smaby | Tampa Bay | RFA | Anaheim | 1 Year, 2 Way Contract |
| Ryan Johnson | Chicago | UFA | ||
| Chris Porter | St Louis | UFA | St Louis | 1 Year, 2 Way Contract |
| T.J. Oshie | St Louis | RFA | St Louis | 1 Year, $2.35 Million |
| Taylor Chorney | Edmonton | RFA | Edmonton | 1 Year, 2 Way Contract |
| Mike Commodore | Columbus | UFA | Detroit | 1 Year, $1 Million |
Non-NHL Signings:
| PLAYER | 2011-2012 TEAM | LEAGUE | DETAILS |
| Lee Goren | Skelleftea | Swedish Elite (Sweden 1) | Press Release (Swedish) |
| David Lundbohm | Vasteras | Hockey Allsvenskan (Sweden 2) | Press Release (Swedish) |
| Jason Ulmer | EHC Munchen | DEL (Germany 1) | Press Release (German) |
| Jeff Ulmer | DEG Metro Stars | DEL (Germany 1) | |
| Ryan Martens | EHC Dortmund | Oberliga (Germany 3) | Press Release (German) |
| Bill Trew | Landshut | Bundesliga (Germany 2) | Press Release (German) |
| Colby Genoway | Lausanne | National B (Switzerland 2) | Press Release (French) |
| Anthony Grieco | Asiago | Serie A (Italy 1) | Press Release (Italian) |
The European press releases are rather easy to interpret, assuming you are fluent in five or six languages. However, for those of us who still struggle with our command of the English language, Google Translate is an invaluable tool. The player movement pertains only to those players who have changed teams this offseason. A comprehensive list of all former Sioux players and their 2011-2012 teams will be posted a little closer to the start of the season(s).
The Fighting Sioux have received a commitment from former Edina (MN-HS) Hornet Connor Gaarder to join the team this fall. Gaarder has spent the past two season playing in the NAHL, and last season he was a three-time Central Division Player of the Week with the Coulee Region Chill.
Gaarder's addition to the Fighting Sioux program came as a result of JT Miller's roster spot becoming available after he opted to join the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League. Miller's decision to make a last minute switch from the University of North Dakota to Canadian juniors began a bit of a snowball effect, as several other top prospects spurned the NCAA in favor of the CHL. It is certainly hard to blame a young man for making a decision he feels will better suit his development towards an NHL career, but the proximity to the start of the academic year certainly leaves programs scrambling to fill roster spots.
Dillon Simpson was in-studio on The Pipeline Show this past weekend. Links to the audio can be found in the show's archives.
The Canadian (Aug 3-7) and Team USA (Aug 6-11)World Junior Championship evaluation camps kick-off this week, with Dillon Simpson taking part for Canada and Derek Forbort and Rocco Grimaldi participating for Team USA.
The official 2011-2012 schedule was released today. Full Schedule
Jake Marto recently signed a two-way AHL/ECHL contract with the Winnipeg Jets organization. He could very well be suiting up as a St. John's IceCap alongside former Sioux teammates Jason Gregoire and Michael Forney, whose rights also belong to the Jets. Perhaps this will help draw even more interest to UND's Winnipeg game this season.
Throughout the week I will try to finish catching up on the busy summer we've experienced thus far, including:
Timothy Boger of UND's Dakota Student did an interesting statistical breakdown of the production each WCHA team will be returning this season. I put something together something similar earlier this summer and have been waiting for the early defections to end before summarizing the breakdown. I also looked at the percentage of defensemen and goaltender minutes each team is returning, as well as a look back over the past decade or so and just how much production a team can lose and still win a conference championship. I'm going to try to get that post up by the end of the weekend.
A wrap-up on the Sioux presence at this summer's NHL prospect development camps.
A look at the USHL schedule and when Sioux commits will be playing in Fargo.
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