Friday, June 12, 2009

Word On The 'Net Is....

With the birth of the schedules, and some recent news articles stemming around the 'net, notably from todays News-Miner article, as well as UAF AD Forrest Karr's response on the UAF Chancellor's Grapevine (see May 22nd), it's pretty clear that we are riding the pine pony in regards to dropping our sticks on WCHA's ice. But apparently UNO might have gotten that spot anyway. Let's Play Hockey has "sources" saying that the WCHA has offered UNO the spot, which, as part of ex-UND head coach Dean Blais taking over the program's terms, UNO WILL be taking that spot (that may or may not have been offered yet in the first place). A lot really hasn't been said officially in terms of what will and won't happen in the future. UAA AD Steve Cobb, who also happens to be a member of the WCHA Structure Committee, was quoted in the aforementioned News-Miner article, saying “From my point of view, we would support and vote for UAF coming into the WCHA for a number of reasons,”. What is missing is what those reasons are exactly, and what is being said about UNO. And potentially even which way the scales may tipping between these two teams. These types of questions are missing from these interviews that other people seem to be taking. All geographic, skill, size, and money concerns aside, it seems to be down to UNO and UAF. And its going to come down to which team brings more food to WCHA's dinner table. Sure, UNO plays in the Qwest Center, a 15,000 seat facility which UNO can only fill about 4,000 of. UAF sells out the Carlson Center on a regular basis, which is obviously a much smaller facility, but its what we've got.

So, who is it going to be? If things aren't really going to be announced until some un-announced meeting occurs sometime somewhere, then why in the hell did LPH already say that spot was offered to UNO? A direct answer needs to come from somebody, sometime.

We all remember Darcy Campbell, a rock solid blueliner that played for the Nanooks from 2004 to 2007, who went pro for one game with the Columbus Blue Jackets, has just signed with Finland's premier team, TPS on Wednesday, (if you can read Finnish, the official post is here, and no, Google Translate does not work) earning a US-equivalent salary well into the 6 figures.

The Alaska Nanook Pep Band has a new graduate student director starting this fall, that will NOT be dancing wildly with a cowbell during songs. Hannah soon-to-be Johnston, graduated from UAF in 2009 with two BMs, one in Music Education (K-12), and the other in Trumpet Performance. You might remember her from her air guitar performance at one of the Ferris State home games last year, funny stuff. Hopefully the band gets a little bigger this year, there seems to be fewer and fewer players over the course of the last few years. Apparently people go to college for an education these days, so nobody wants to have fun anymore. I see how it is...

I'll be seeking some more answers in regards to this WCHA fiasco and making some phone calls in the next week or so to see what I can get out of my "sources". If he hasn't read this blog yet, I know Forrest is reading this now. Questions are coming.

18 comments:

Eric J. Burton said...

Maybe the WCHA can convince another team to join the WCHA with UAF or move a team from the WCHA to the CCHA. I don't think MTU want to move to the CCHA though. I do wish we got to see UAF play more.

Donald Dunlop said...

Let's Play Hockey is jumping to conclusions. The WCHA membership has to vote on membership. 8 of 10 must be yes. Nobody can "offer" them membership.

Britton said...

@Goon I don't think the WCHA is gonna be looking for 14 teams anywhere in the near future. Of course I'm just spit-balling here. The CHA disbandment is certainly going to provide a shake up between the CCHA and WCHA. Teams may be exchanged, should be an interesting shake up.

@Donald Thanks for the clarification. I liked your comment on the LPH blog, especially the Office Space reference. Hopefully "talk out of your ass" is one of the squares on that mat, because that is what they landed on.

Eric J. Burton said...

There will be clarification on this issues soon. I predict sooner than August.

Donald Dunlop said...

Goon,
You have so little of an actual clue about ANYTHING that it becomes hilarious when you predict anything. You think Bruce McLeod (as if you could ever spell it right) runs the league. Hell, you probably think Dean Blais tells the WCHA what to do.

Eric J. Burton said...

Oh Donald this time you're wrong, wrong, wrong, if you want to live with your head in the sand by all mean go ahead, the fact remains sooner rather than later the WCHA is going to announce that UNO is now a member of the WCHA along with UNO. It's a done deal. Go ahead live in denial.

Eric J. Burton said...

lastly, Donald he who lives in a glass house shouldn't throw stones.

Britton said...

What sources do you have? Like I said, the WCHA has yet to say jack in regards to who they are letting in. Bruce McLeod has kept saying the same "sooner than later" idea, but again, yes he is the commissioner, but no, this show isn't his to run.

Eric J. Burton said...

They are doing a lot of behind the scenes stuff. http://www.ourmedia.org/ia/details/SkaarSkaar

Listen to that pod cast...

Donald Dunlop said...

Goon,
I listened to that podcast within 30 minutes of it being posted on Mooses blog ... you're a coupla bricks shy of a full load dude. Unlike you I keep up with the goings on related to this issue.

You can't spell even when you're linking to something with the correct spelling. Your literacy level is about 8th grade level at best. That's all fine and dandy for your insipid audience (that means they all are bland and stupid like you) but you've ventured here into literate-land and used an old metaphor (glass houses) in a completely inappropriate manner. I'd be surprised if you actually understood what that saying means. Stick to appropriate venues for your literacy level ... USCHO is about the highest level for you.

Eric J. Burton said...
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Eric J. Burton said...

Here is another podcast on the subject from a Fargo channel. http://216.117.157.184/740thefan/uploads/dean%20blais.mp3

Eric J. Burton said...

Donald I guess I should bow in front of the ole master and kiss your ring. Not! While I might be dim as you suggest it means nothing coming from you, it's nothing more than fancy lip service.

Donald Dunlop said...

No Goon, you should recognize when you are completely and entirely out of your league. The only thing on me you should kiss is my ass.

Eric J. Burton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eric J. Burton said...

Donalds I am going no where near your smelly ass. You're the text book definition of illusions of grandeur.

Britton said...

Now ladies lets be civil. Don't make me delete your posts.

Eric J. Burton said...

sorry.