Nick Mattson to North Dakota

[Gopher Blog]

The only thing I would add, is the way the U turns over players to the next level there might have been plenty of playing time available.

True to an extent. But other than EJ, most of the Gophers' best defensemen since Lucia became coach have stayed through their junior year (P. Martin, Ballard, Goligoski all left after their junior year.... Leopold played four years). Ness, Lofquist, Helgeson, and Leddy would all be sophs or juniors in 2010. Fairchild would be a senior but I get the feeling from talking to a family member of his that their plan is to play all four years. So I am not sure that player turnover on the blue line is going to be the factor you are thinking.

[gorilla1]

The U turns over a similar amount of kids as other schools, including UND. The U lost 2 players in 2004, 1 in 2005, 2 in 2006, and 1 in 2007 if I am not mistaken. UND lost 3 last year alone. i think the U has a nice incoming class. Check out UND's as well. Not only do they pull good kids from Minnesota, they get kids from Canada and other parts fo the US. this is something Lucia consistently lacks. I know he has a lot of pressure to recruit Minnesota kids, but he should at least explore the horizons a little bit. I think some of the kids are coming from outside the state next year (2?), but there is no way the U should only have 2 championships in the last 27 years. The U always puts out a good team, but it consistently has troubles getting to the next level. Yes, The Ralph is that nice, and it is the only game in town (and the State for that matter).

[stickboy1956]

The only thing I would add, is the way the U turns over players to the next level there might have been plenty of playing time available.

True to an extent. But other than EJ, most of the Gophers' best defensemen since Lucia became coach have stayed through their junior year (P. Martin, Ballard, Goligoski all left after their junior year.... Leopold played four years). Ness, Lofquist, Helgeson, and Leddy would all be sophs or juniors in 2010. Fairchild would be a senior but I get the feeling from talking to a family member of his that their plan is to play all four years. So I am not sure that player turnover on the blue line is going to be the factor you are thinking.

So they didn't want him ...???

Sounds like spin to me

[gorilla1]

Goph, the same is true with UND's recruiting class, which is every bit as good (on paper) that the U's class is. It would be difficult for a kid at this age to determine what his playing time is going to look like in the year 2010-11 for either team. If you look at the roosters now, Minnesota has 2 more seniors on its roster then UND. they have similar amounts of freshman and sophmores.

[Gopher Blog]

The U turns over a similar amount of kids as other schools, including UND. The U lost 2 players in 2004, 1 in 2005, 2 in 2006, and 1 in 2007 if I am not mistaken. UND lost 3 last year alone.

Yes but we are talking defensemen here. Not overall departures. No doubt each team loses their share. But we are simply projecting to one year in 2010.

Not only do they pull good kids from Minnesota, they get kids from Canada and other parts fo the US.

Couldn't you argue that UND has even less of an excuse for not winning titles more often? If they recruit from all over (which the Gophers tend to focus more locally), why have they not won a title in seven years? Meantime, the Gophers more focused approach won two titles since UND last won one. In other words, it isn't necessarily about where you recruit, it is more about targeting the right guys to get you over the hump.

And yes, the Gophers have a few out of state kids coming in the next few years.

[Gopher Blog]

So they didn't want him ...???

Sounds like spin to me

Where did I say that? Seems to me you need to take off the UND blinders and read more carefully. He picked UND over the Gophers. Show me where I said otherwise?

I simply stated he would have faced stiffer competition at the U as a freshman for the role he plays.

[stickboy1956]

So they didn't want him ...???

Sounds like spin to me

Where did I say that? Seems to me you need to take off the UND blinders and read more carefully. He picked UND over the Gophers. Show me where I said otherwise?

I simply stated he would have faced stiffer competition at the U as a freshman for the role he plays.

That's why it was a question ... and you didn't answer it.

[gorilla1]

Gopher, you make a good point. No one has won more titles then the Sioux since 1980--5. Next closest is Wisconsin with 4. The U has 2. Next, you also need to look at final four appearances and final appearances as well. So my comment is the Sioux should be better than what. Historically, the Sioux have done better. The Gophs should do better then what they have historically done because when I think of hockey I think Minnesota, as I am sure most everyone does. Thus, it should be easier to get recruits and win then at other schools, not harder. I support the Gophers and hope they do well. UND has 3 Minnesota defensemen coming in next year, Ben Blood, Corey Fienhage and Joe Gleason. 2 others from Canada. Minnesota is the finest pool of talent to pick from in the US, but there are a few kids from outside MN (and in Canada) that might look good in the Maroon and Gold

[Gopher Blog]

So they didn't want him ...???

Sounds like spin to me

Where did I say that? Seems to me you need to take off the UND blinders and read more carefully. He picked UND over the Gophers. Show me where I said otherwise?

I simply stated he would have faced stiffer competition at the U as a freshman for the role he plays.

That's why it was a question ... and you didn't answer it.

I didn't? Do they teach reading comprehension where you come from? I said he picked UND over the Gophers. If they didn't want him, why would they offer him? Duh.

[Gopher Blog]

UND has 3 Minnesota defensemen coming in next year, Ben Blood, Corey Fienhage and Joe Gleason.

You are taking this off on a wild direction. I was never discussing overall recruiting, historical performances of programs, etc. I was focused simply on defensive needs for 2010. Not sure why you are trying to drag it in a bunch of different directions that were meaningless to the original discussion.

Of those three you point out for next year, only Gleason plays a role very similar to Mattson. Then look at UND's current roster. All their current defensemen would be gone by 2010-2011 except maybe Lapoint and he is unlikely to be a 4 year player. In other words, it is rather easy to see that Mattson will have more opportunity as a first year player there than he would on a team that has four of five guys on the roster that play the same kind of game he does.

[gorilla1]

Gopherblog first wrote:
"Couldn't you argue that UND has even less of an excuse for not winning titles more often? If they recruit from all over (which the Gophers tend to focus more locally), why have they not won a title in seven years? Meantime, the Gophers more focused approach won two titles since UND last won one."

Gopherblog then wrote:

"You are taking this off on a wild direction. I was never discussing overall recruiting, historical performances of programs, etc. . ."

Gopherblog, my wife says I am a little slow. I thought when you were talking about how many titles the 2 programs have won in the past, you were talking historically. I also thought when you were talking about the Gopher's more focused approach to recruiting, I thought you were talking about their overall recruiting. My mistake. Sorry. I guess I must be smellin too much cow manure up here. Anyway, he will be a good addition to the Sioux program.

[Gopher Blog]

Yes, I said that. But only after you brought historical performance into the discussion with:

but there is no way the U should only have 2 championships in the last 27 years

I am not sure why you brought that up in a discussion that was simply focusing on one player and how he would fit into a prospective lineup three years from now. No harm. Just found it odd.

[gorilla1]

Thanks Gopherblog!

[BoogeyMan]

Gorilla1- You sound like a typical homer. UND has had some nice teams the past ten years. Look at all the top players Minnesota had lost in the past few years.
Keep in mind. Minnesota doesn't need to import players. We develop our own.

[Jbone]

The Stars of Minnesota over recent years:

Grant Potulny- Grand Forks, NORTH DAKOTA
Ryan Potulny- Grand Forks, NORTH DAKOTA
Thomas Vanek- Graz, Austria
Kellen Briggs- Colorado Springs, Colorado

Keep in mind that those last two championships were with outside help.

The U knows how to recruit the best in Minnesota... But maybe they should take off their blinders and figure out that Minnesota isn't the only state playing hockey.

[SEC Scotty]

The Stars of Minnesota over recent years:

Grant Potulny- Grand Forks, NORTH DAKOTA
Ryan Potulny- Grand Forks, NORTH DAKOTA
Thomas Vanek- Graz, Austria
Kellen Briggs- Colorado Springs, Colorado

Keep in mind that those last two championships were with outside help.

The U knows how to recruit the best in Minnesota... But maybe they should take off their blinders and figure out that Minnesota isn't the only state playing hockey.

You forgot Danny Irman and Phil Kessel. Minnesota hockey rocks.

[BoogeyMan]

Good points!

[Gopher Blog]

But maybe they should take off their blinders and figure out that Minnesota isn't the only state playing hockey.

So you point out some non-MN kids that this staff has recruited and then tell them to take the blinders off that there is hockey outside of MN? Umm, ok, that makes sense.

[flatontheice]

So Riddle, Pohl, Martin, Leopold and Taffe dont count on one of those National Championship teams as "stars"? Maybe Ballard? or perhaps Koalska? We didn't win S&%T with Kessel. He still has a Holy Cross tatoo on is arse.

[Gopher Blog]

So Riddle, Pohl, Martin, Leopold and Taffe dont count on one of those National Championship teams as "stars"?

You forgot Ballard as well.

Since there was only one player on 2002's title team from outside of the state (G. Potulny) and 2003's title team had three players from outside of the state (Vanek, Potulny, and Peter Kennedy).... I guess the other 20+ guys didn't do much.

[Jbone]

Boogey said,
"Minnesota doesn't need to import players. We develop our own."

I just thought that without a North Dakotan scoring that final goal against Maine, then maybe you would only have 1 national title in the last twenty seasons?!?

The Minnesota recruits (roster fillers) obviously haven't done a whole lot lately... no heart, no desire, no championships.

UND's Minnesota recruits have what it takes to win the big show...that's why Nick Mattson is on board!

[breakout]

Boogey said,
"Minnesota doesn't need to import players. We develop our own."

I just thought that without a North Dakotan scoring that final goal against Maine, then maybe you would only have 1 national title in the last twenty seasons?!?

The Minnesota recruits (roster fillers) obviously haven't done a whole lot lately... no heart, no desire, no championships.

UND's Minnesota recruits have what it takes to win the big show...that's why Nick Mattson is on board!

Ya, he can finally take the weight of all those Chaska trophies off his back

No offense TomAss

[Gopher Blog]

UND's Minnesota recruits have what it takes to win the big show...that's why Nick Mattson is on board!

How come none of those recruits from MN for UND have won national titles recently then? I'd think they would have done it some time in the last seven years. With MN talent like Zach Parise, Bochenski, etc., seems to me if they knew how to win the big show, they would have done it.

BTW, Potulny's goal was only one of four in that game. The other three scored by MN born players (Ballard, Pohl, and, Koalska). So I'd say the state of MN's homegrown boys did plenty to contribute. Unless you are a complete moron and don't realize it, hockey is a team sport. For instance, without Matt Koalska's game tying goal in the final minute, Potulny wouldn't have had the chance to score that winning goal in OT.

[gorilla1]

Hopefully everyone realizes that there have been good players from ND playing for the U and good players from Minn playing for UND. However, there is a basic difference in the recruiting. The U focuses almost exclusively on Minnesota kids getting very few from outside the state (look at this year's roster, last year's roster, etc. . .). UND recruits Minnesota kids as well as many kids from other states and Canada. Over the years, UND's philosphy has proven to more successful then the Gophs. While everyone else is raiding the U's kitchen and taking possible recruits away, the U rarely goes to other states or Canada to do the same. Yes, Minnesota does raise alot of good hockey kids, but the U does not get them all.

[BoogeyMan]

Gorilla1- You're boring me. What is your point? Are you saying the UND is a better program. I admit it they have a good program.

Fact is: Lucia is getting the top talent. Why recruit from Canada is Minnesota has the same talent. Sure North Dakota has had some good players. Ask yourself. Why did the top players go to Minnesota? Because of the coach.
To tell you the truth. I don't know how Lucia can handle the revolving door. Somehow he needs to get some of these players to stay at Minnesota for at least 3 years.

If you want to compare championships wayyyyyyyy back. I heard Lou Nanne in an interview last year joking. Back in the day UND had players in their lates 20's, married with kids playing for UND. Come on! That is borderline cheating.

Like I said! Why would anyone want to play hockey in North Dakota?
Please spare me with the nice arena garbage.

Keep in mind! You're not going to want to hear it. I hate to say it.......... UND fans are in the same category as Packers fans. What else is there to do? Not alot of choices in both area's. Anyone for bowling or chess?