Saturday Morning Coffee

For those of you who might be interested in following the blog's activity via mainstream social media, TOE now has a Facebook page. Give it a "Like" if you like. Of course, the blog has had a Twitter feed for a little over a year now, so if you are more of the Twitter ilk you can give us a follow over there as well. Anyway, enough of the small talk. Here are a handful of links for your Saturday morning:

• The North Dakota women did not start the regular season the way they would have liked last night. Expect them to bounce back with a strong effort this afternoon.
• The North Dakota men will hit the ice for the first time this season when they take on the University of Manitoba tonight at REA. Being that it is an exhibition game UND can dress as many players as it wants, so expect to see plenty of new faces in the lineup.
• I came across an interesting nugget while perusing some statistics this morning. 40 different collegians reached the 40 point plateau in men's hockey last year, and of those 40, 18 will be returning for the 2012-13 season. 11 of the 18 returnees play in the WCHA, and only two teams in the nation return more than one such player. Minnesota has four (Haula, Rau, Bjugstad, Schmidt) while North Dakota has two (Danny Kristo and Corban Knight).   
• The AHL regular season kicks off next week, and former Sioux Brock Nelson expects to play a bigger game for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
• Former Sioux Cary Eades led his Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) to a win in their home opener last night, and The Argus Leader published a very nice feature on the Stampede's new head coach.
• Hockey's Future took a look at UND recruit and Grand Forks native Paul LaDue's development into a defenseman with NHL potential.
• North Dakota recruits Luke Johnson and Keaton Thompson both participated in last weekend's CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo, NY. McKeen's Hockey offered up a sampling of individual performance reviews, and both Johnson and Thompson were included. Read about Johnson here, and Thompson here. Russ Bitely also featured Johnson in his look back at the game.

Tuesday Evening Post

Here are a few links of interest, including UND's most recent pro contract signee:

• Former Sioux captain Mario Lamoureux signed an ECHL contract with the Ontario Reign today. Lamoureux spent the tail-end of last season with the Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL) after his NCAA career concluded. The Reign is based in Ontario, CA and have an affiliation agreement with the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.
• NBC Sports Network released a 24 game NCAA men's ice hockey schedule today, and North Dakota has two road games scheduled for broadcast. The February 8th game at Nebraska-Omaha and the February 22nd game at Denver are set to air on NBCSN this coming season.
• The Hell on Ice blog took a stab at projecting Zach Parise's 2012-13 offensive numbers.
• Pension Plan Puppets, a Toronto Maple Leaf blog, recently ranked Matt Frattin No. 5 on their Top 25 Maple Leafs Under 25. 
• Per Brad Schlossman's blog, a pair of North Dakota players are facing discipline due to alcohol related offenses.
• The British Columbia Hockey League kicked off its regular season last weekend with the BCHL Showcase. The Vernon Vipers struggled to a 0-1-1 record in their two showcase games, but North Dakota recruit Adam Tambellini picked up a pair of goals while fellow Viper/UND recruit Geoff Crisfield went pointless. Vernon will try to get on the winning side of the ledger this weekend when they take on Salmon Arm in a home & home.
• Feeling the need to scratch that hockey itch? For those of you near Fargo, you can catch North Dakota recruit Charlie Pelnik in action Friday night as the Fargo Force take on Cary Eades' Sioux Falls Stampede in a USHL exhibition game at Scheels Arena. Tickets are only $5 and kids 12 and under get in free.

Friday Morning Coffee

After a couple of weeks off, it's time to do some catching up. Perhaps a lot of this is old news to some of you, but hopefully there are a few links that will be of interest. Since the last post...

• UND announced its incoming class of freshmen (and a transfer) for the 2012-13 season. It's a very promising mix of talent that should blend nicely with a strong group of returnees. Also worth remembering is that in addition to the six newcomers, we will also get our first glimpse of Colten St. Clair, Mitch MacMillan (eligible Spring semester), and a healthy Rocco Grimaldi. All of this is enough for Inside College Hockey to rank North Dakota third in its very early preseason rankings.
• Incoming freshman goaltender Zane Gothberg was named the USHL's Co-Goaltender of the Year. The Fargo Force goalie was the league's regular season leader in Save % (.921) and Shutouts (7) while finishing second in Goals Against Average (2.22). Additionally, his playoff GAA (1.78) and Save % (.942) led the league. He shared top goaltender honors with Green Bay's Ryan McKay. 
• Former Sioux associate head coach Cary Eades was named the head coach and general manager of the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede. This is Eades' second stint in the USHL, having previously served as the HC/GM of the Dubuque Fighting Saints for a very successful two-year tenure in the early 1990's. Eades is a flat-out winner, and expect him to achieve big things in South Dakota, where he'll surely help grow the sport in a state with a promising future on the ice.
• Chuck Schwartz of Bucky's 5th Quarter attended USA Hockey's Central District Midget Festival, and in his individual notes he says UND recruit Chris Wilkie was "one of the best players" at the event. Wilkie is anticipated to arrive on campus in the fall of 2014 and will play for the USNTDP's Under-17 team this upcoming season. Everything I've heard/read about Wilkie has been very positive - lots of skill, welcomes the physical game, incredible motor, tremendous work ethic.

NHL Playoff Update:

• Matt Greene and the Los Angeles Kings advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals after eliminating the Phoenix Coyotes in five games. Greene, who has his sights firmly set on the Cup, will be making his second trip to The Finals. The former Sioux captain was a member of the Edmonton Oilers when they came up just short against Carolina in the 2006 Finals, losing in seven games.
• Greene and LA's ecstasy, of course, is the agony of Dave Tippett and the Phoenix Coyotes. Phoenix made a strong run to the Western Conference Finals but a sluggish start to the series was too much to overcome against a strong Los Angeles team. Regardless of how the season ended, Tippett and the Coyotes should be proud of their season, which was forged from an uncertain and chaotic situation. Tippett and Coyote GM Don Maloney have somehow made it work in the desert, while a trio from Phoenix's staff has international roots that run deep.
• The New Jersey Devils are one win away from joining Los Angeles in the Stanley Cup Finals as they lead the New York Rangers three games to two in the Eastern Conference Finals. Former Sioux Zach Parise and Travis Zajac have played lead roles in New Jersey's fantastic playoff run, sharing the team lead with seven goals apiece, a total that is eclipsed league-wide only by Philadelphia's Claude Giroux and Daniel Briere, who have eight each. The Devils will look to eliminate New York tonight (7:00 CDT).
• Parise, whose DNA is riddled with hockey smarts, is the second leading scorer for the Devils during the postseason with 14 points (7-7). He is among a trio of Americans looking to become the first US-born captain (and just the second ever) to win The Cup since the Dallas Stars' Derian Hatcher hoisted sport's greatest trophy in 1999. Despite (and perhaps, because of) New Jersey's extended playoff run, Parise's impending free agency status remains attractive fodder for the media. The Detroit News ponders what Red Wing life would be like with Parise and Ryan Suter in the fold, but might New Jersey's postseason success be enough to keep him a Devil? The Star Tribune, meanwhile, examines the potential of Parise returning to Minnesota.
• Life is good for Zajac, who is third on the team with 12 postseason points (7-5). His strong playoff contributions are a bit of a redemption story following an injury-plagued regular season.

AHL Playoff Update:

• Matt Frattin and the Toronto Marlies have taken a three game to one series lead over Chris VandeVelde, Taylor Chorney and the Oklahoma City Barons in the AHL's Western Conference Finals. Frattin has been fantastic in the postseason as he is tied for the league lead with eight goals, while VandeVelde is T-5th with five. Frattin, who possesses a nice arsenal of offensive weapons, is part of the contingent of Toronto "Young Guns" leaving its mark on the AHL Playoffs. Game five takes place tonight in Toronto at 6:00 CDT.
• St. John's was swept by Norfolk in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jason Gregoire and Jake Marto did not appear in the postseason for the IceCaps. 

USHL Playoff Update:

• Jordan Schmaltz was The Last Man Standing among North Dakota recruits, and he stood for as long as he could. Schmaltz and the Green Bay Gamblers defeated Waterloo Wednesday night in the decisive game five of the USHL's Clark Cup Finals, thereby capping a tremendous USHL career for the incoming UND defenseman. He finished the postseason T-1st in +/- among defensemen (+10) and he was T-2nd among blueliners in points (2-5-7). The next question regarding Schmaltz is where he will be selected in June's NHL Entry Draft. Here are a few draft prospect profiles from Last Word on Sports, Hockey Prospectus (#46), and NHL Mock Draft.

Miscellaneous:

• According to Bleedin' Blue, TJ Oshie's season graded out at a B+, and he is among a number of Americans looking to make their Olympic debuts in 2014.
• Jonathan Toews was named Best Forward and Team MVP in the Blackhawks' Fan Choice Awards, while Comcast Sportsnet breaks down the Chicago captain's season and future expectations.
• Condors Connect checks in with Evan Trupp.
• Adam Calder will not be returning to the Slough Jets, the team with which he won the English Premier League's playoff championship this past season. No word as of yet on where the former Sioux will be playing next season.
• Former Alaska-Anchorage Seawolf and current Backhand Shelf columnist Justin Bourne shares his experience in choosing between college and major junior hockey.

Friday Morning Coffee

• In a move that has surprised virtually everyone, it was announced yesterday that the contract of men's hockey associate coach Cary Eades was not renewed. Head coach Dave Hakstol said the decision came about due to a "restructuring of duties" and that things should come into focus a little more clearly when a new hire is announced. GF Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman talked with Eades about the move. Best of luck to coach Eades in wherever the next stop of his career takes him.
• Former Sioux Dane Litke has resigned as the head coach of the NAHL's Janesville Jets. He had been head coach of the Jets for all three years of the franchise's existence, leading them to the playoffs every year.
• The Hockey Writers say that the Buffalo Sabres' best line this season was that of Drew Stafford, Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno. Stafford, meanwhile, recently took the time to give a little bit back.
• The Toronto Globe and Mail is looking to determine who has grown the best-ever playoff beard, and Jonathan Toews needs every vote he can get as he squares off with facial hair juggernaut Lanny McDonald.
• Also needing your support is TJ Oshie, who is going up against Pavel Datsyuk in EA Sports' NHL 13 Cover Vote.

NHL Playoff Update:

• The Los Angeles Kings and Matt Greene have taken a commanding 3-0 lead over TJ Oshie and the St. Louis Blues. The Kings defeated St. Louis 4-2 last night in Los Angeles and will look to complete the second round sweep Sunday afternoon. Greene picked up an assist in the Kings' latest victory and has recorded one point in every game of the series (1G, 2A). For the Blues, Oshie has not yet found the scoresheet while Chris Porter has yet to make an appearance in the playoffs.
• The New Jersey Devils defeated Philadelphia 4-3 in OT last night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern conference semifinals. Zach Parise had a goal and Travis Zajac picked up an assist for New Jersey, who will look to extend their series lead Sunday evening. The Devils have played a very smart three games against the Flyers, and they've shown they won't be an easy out. As for Zajac, his season almost ended prematurely, but a return to full health has seen the Devils' playoff point leader regain his scoring touch just in time.
• Dave Tippett's Phoenix Coyotes were blanked 2-0 by Nashville Wednesday night. The Coyotes still lead the series 2-1 with game four scheduled for tonight in Nashville.

AHL Playoff Update:

• San Antonio defeated Oklahoma City 6-4 in game one of their second round series. Taylor Chorney returned from injury, but neither he nor Chris VandeVelde figured into OKC's scoring.
• Toronto and Matt Frattin evened their second round series with Abbotsford at one game apiece via a 5-1 win last night. Frattin scored the game winning goal and now has five points (3G, 2A) in five playoff games. Here's the video of his latest goal:

USHL Playoff Update:

• Lincoln dropped game one of the Western Conference finals 5-2 to Waterloo Wednesday night. Sioux recruits Luke Johnson and Paul LaDue were kept off the scoresheet, and the Stars will look to draw even when the series resumes tonight in Lincoln.
• Jordan Schmaltz scored a powerplay goal last night in Green Bay's 6-2 win over Indiana in game one of the Eastern Conference finals. Game two will take place tonight in Green Bay. It was also announced yesterday that Schmaltz, who has four points (2G, 2A) and a +6 rating in five playoff games, will be taking part in the 2012 NHL Draft's Central Scouting Combine later this month. 

Wednesday Evening Post

It is time to disperse some links prior to hitting the Road to the Final Five:

• Fighting Sioux associate head coach Cary Eades was inducted into the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame last weekend during the Minnesota state high school hockey tournament. It's a very high honor for the former three-time state champion head coach of the Warroad Warriors, and congratulations are in order.
• Inside College Hockey recently named Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol its WCHA Coach of the Year in its year end awards. Brock Nelson was also named the WCHA Breakthrough Player of the Year.
• According to one blog, Corban Knight and Rocco Grimaldi are among the Florida Panthers top prospects.
• Jocelyne Lamoureux was named one of three finalists for the Patty Kazmaier Award, which is awarded annually to the top player in women's college hockey. The winner will be announced this weekend during the Frozen Four in Duluth.
• Brad Schlossman's Weekly Wednesday Update is full of good stuff today.
• Travis Zajac has been cleared to resume hard skating, and New Jersey Devil GM Lou Lamoriello says their top centerman should return sooner rather than later.
• The Hockey News recently conducted a poll of NHL players in order to determine the league's Top 50 players. Zach Parise came in at #29 (too low in my opinion, should be in the top 15) while Jonathan Toews is ranked #5. 
• Toews remains sidelined with concussion symptoms as he's learning to cope with the complexity of his head injury. There is a possibility that he could return by the weekend, but if there is any certainty when it comes to dealing with concussions, it is that there are no certainties.
• As for Parise, he recently moved into eighth place on New Jersey's all-time scoring list by registering his 400th career point, while there is more speculation that he could return home to Minnesota should he become a free agent this summer.
• Mike Commodore is looking to revitalize his career in Tampa Bay, and he says he likes Florida so much that if Tampa Bay does not re-sign him this offseason, he might just stick around anyway.
• Commodore's new Lightning teammate, Brian Lee, is also making an impact for the Bolts.
• Matt Greene and a few of his Los Angeles King teammates discuss some of the more common hockey player problems.
• TJ Oshie has taken over St. Louis' team scoring lead, and he looks to be due a nice pay raise this offseason.
• ESPN recently ran an outstanding feature on Phoenix Coyote head coach Dave Tippett and his unique situation out in the desert. Tippett currently sits on 398 career victories.
• Hockey Wilderness says Chay Genoway is the Houston Aero that has shown the most improvement over the course of the season.
• The Edmonton Oilers' Future Watch recently profiled Chris VandeVelde.
• Kyle Radke of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (CHL) was recently placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.
• Fighting Sioux recruit Chris Wilkie was invited to USA Hockey's NTDP tryout camp.
• Recruit Drake Caggiula and the Stouffville Spirit (OJHL) tied their Divisional Final playoff series with Newmarket at two games apiece tonight. Caggiula has been outstanding in the postseason, registering 14 points (5G, 9A) in seven playoff games. He has had multiple points in six of the seven games.
• Being the Final Five is upon us, we'll leave you with a nice little interview of final Five superstar and current Bakersfield Condor (ECHL) Evan Trupp:

Schmaltz Bros. United, Two Sioux Hall of Famers, Frattin Back With Leafs, Etc.

• Sioux recruit Jordan Schmaltz was involved in a blockbuster USHL trade yesterday, as Sioux City sent the All-USHL defenseman to the Green Bay Gamblers. Green Bay also added Jordan's younger brother Nick to their roster. Nick, who is also a Sioux recruit, most recently played for the Chicago Midget Minor (Under-16) team and is widely considered to be one of the top 1996 birth-year forwards in the US. Because the trade involved such a highly-coveted NHL prospect, it has garnered a sizable amount of media attention. Here's a selection of some of the trade's coverage: Chris Peters at United States of Hockey, Ryan Clark at Slightly Chilled, The Sioux City Journal, and Kevin Allen at The USA Today. 
• Jordan is currently participating in the World Junior A Challenge (Langley, BC, Canada) with fellow Sioux recruit Zane Gothberg. Team USA opened regulation play last night, dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker that saw Sweden score with just six seconds remaining in regulation. Gothberg got the start and stopped 23 of the 24 shots he faced, but Swedish goaltender Oscar Dansk did him one better by stopping 44 of 44. Team USA returns to action Wednesday night at 9:30 PM CST, when they will face Canada West.
• Yesterday the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association announced that former Sioux player and current Associate Head Coach Cary Eades will be inducted into the MHCA Hall of Fame. Eades coached Warroad High School to three Minnesota Class A titles in his eleven seasons as head coach. The induction ceremony will take place in March, in conjunction with the Minnesota state high school hockey tournament.
• It was announced this past summer that former Sioux goaltender Ed Belfour would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. That ceremony takes place next Monday, November 14th at 6:30 PM CST. It will be aired live on The NHL Network.
• Toronto Maple Leaf centerman Tim Connolly suffered another injury over the weekend, and Matt Frattin received the call to fill his roster spot. The call-up led to Frattin narrowly missing out on the earthquake and severe weather that his teammates endured in Oklahoma City. Frattin played three games with the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, recording three points (2G, 1A).
• Drew Stafford recently gave a postgame interview while wearing a golden helmet. The story behind the shiny lid is an interesting one, and here is the interview with the golden dome:

• After a string of healthy scratches, defenseman Brian Lee has now played in the Ottawa Senators' last two games. The blog SenShot recently asked Sens GM Bryan Murray if Lee's recent playing time was meant to serve as a showcase for a potential trade, and Murray answered no. SenShot earlier raised the question of what should be done with Lee if he continues to be a healthy scratch, while The Hockey Writers feel that keeping Lee in Ottawa has been one of the positives through the Sens' recent rebuilding efforts.
• While it's obviously too early to nail an exact date for Travis Zajac's return to action, New Jersey Devils' head coach Pete DeBoer has a rough time-frame in mind, and he expects his top centerman to be back by Christmas.
• Due to some injuries upfront, Mike Commodore spent some time skating as a winger at Red Wings' practice yesterday. As always, Commodore provided some worthwhile quotes (the Commodore info is toward the bottom of the article).