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Ballard has officaly decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility and has signed a contract the coyotes. What does the gopher team look like next year? <p></p><i></i>

The Gophers will be fine next year. Not National Championship material, but they will compete, as they always do.<br><br>The losses of Ballard, Potulny, and Riddle will be hard on the team. The incoming freshman class is highly touted, but let's wait and see before we decide.<br><br>Obviously, a decision by Vanek remains waiting in the wings. I'm fairly sure he'll be gone, but you never know. I could care less either way.<br><br>My prediction: 3rd in the WCHA. They'll make the NCAA tourney but not the Frozen Four. <p>Scheids<br>(A legend in his girlfriend's mind.)</p><i></i>

They will be find as long as Don is the coach, there is no one better in college hockey as him. <br><br>the loss of Ballard will hurt the defense, but this is not a team that will have to rebuild due to it. they have a good group of players coming in next year as well as the following years as well. they will be fine. <p></p><i></i>

I agree with scheids comments. <br>We have salary cap decisions and free agency in the pros. We have players leaving college for the pros and players leaving high school for juniors. <br><br>I really have to learn to just see what team shows up when the season starts and be a fan or I will lose interest all together. The players in all sports at al levels have become so "here today, gone tommorrow".<br><br> I was raised on 17 years of Jim Marshall and 15 years of Harmon Killebrew and a kid stayed in high school and college until graduation. <br><br>Things change and you deal with it but as a result, the level of my interest decreases. <p></p><i></i>

So now that Ballard is gone, does that mean that Goligoski is for sure going to play for Minnesota this upcoming year. From what I've read and hear the scenario was if Ballard stayed for his senior year, then Goligoski would play juniors or something like that. If Ballard went to the NHL instead of finishing out his college career, then Goligoski would go to the U right away. I'm not sure if this is right or not. So is Goligoski officialy a Gopher now? <p></p><i></i>

Yes, he will be starting school this coming fall. As a matter of fact, he's down at the "U" right now, lifting and skating with his new team. He went down the morning after Ballard signed. <p></p><i></i>

Ballard's departure opens the door for many defenseman for the top lines. Hagemo's experience<br>over the last 2 years in Ann Arbor will be of<br>tremendous importance to the Gophers. He has<br>international competition experience and played a<br>division 1 type schedule last year. He has booco talent.<br><br>Too bad we couldn't have seen him play more<br>High School hockey in Minnesota over the last 2 years<br>I believe he would have been the dominating player in<br>Minnesota over those years and to think he could still<br>be a high school senior yet this fall. <p></p><i></i>

The only question about Hagamo is can he aviod the concussion bug that has followed him since his bantam days. Yes he has all the talent in the world, but can he stay healthe for a full season of WCHA action? If he can, he has all the ability to make everyone forget Ballard. <p></p><i></i>

Mucker, what's your take on the GR squad this year? Will Greenway be good besides the two games vs. the Indians? <p></p><i></i>

Wouldn't Gilly still spend a year with the <br>stampede first? Even with Ballard departing, they have<br>some experienced d returning and coming in.<br><br>Where is the best actual game experience for him<br>Guessing Sioux Falls for 2005<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

nope, no stampede, he's a golden gopher in 2004, it's in stone. <p></p><i></i>