Welcome back!
With summer unofficially coming to an end after the Minnesota State Fair closing up shop for another year, September marks a new year of hockey.
It's time to prepare for the 2018-19 college hockey season. School has begun around the country. Ice sheets are ready to go. Same with captain's practices. Countdowns until opening night remains somewhere in the 20s to 40s.
Starbucks brought back its Pumpkin Spice Latte, perhaps the biggest sign fall peeks around the corner.
Prior to any preseason coverage, however, and on the one-year anniversary of The Athletic Minnesota launching, I wanted to showcase some of my favorite features from the site in the year since launching. Give them one last bit of love before turning my attention towards the future.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Friday, August 3, 2018
BLOG: Five Thoughts on Scott Bell's late departure
Minnesota will make one more change to its coaching staff before the 2018-19 season begins.
Assistant coach Scott Bell, the lone holdover on the bench from Don Lucia's staff to new head coach Bob Motzko, officially left his position yesterday to take a scouting job with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bell previously scouted amateur talent for the Pittsburgh Penguins for five seasons, helping the Penguins uncover Midwest talents such as Jake Guentzel and Teddy Blueger, among others. He departs after one season.
With one month until school begins and two months until opening night, it's a late departure although not entirely unique. Several other colleges currently are filling assistant openings.
Here are five quick thoughts on the subject.
1) Job security matters
One of the rationales Bell, who interviewed for the head coaching job that went to Bob Motzko, gave to Randy Johnson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune for leaving a job at his alma mater to go to the Leafs organization was getting job security with a multi-year deal. That's something Bell didn't have at Minnesota where his contract went through April 30, 2019. Combined with working for a coach who didn't hire him, it creates a situation where he would be spending the season auditioning for his job.
Assistant coach Scott Bell, the lone holdover on the bench from Don Lucia's staff to new head coach Bob Motzko, officially left his position yesterday to take a scouting job with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bell previously scouted amateur talent for the Pittsburgh Penguins for five seasons, helping the Penguins uncover Midwest talents such as Jake Guentzel and Teddy Blueger, among others. He departs after one season.
With one month until school begins and two months until opening night, it's a late departure although not entirely unique. Several other colleges currently are filling assistant openings.
Here are five quick thoughts on the subject.
1) Job security matters
One of the rationales Bell, who interviewed for the head coaching job that went to Bob Motzko, gave to Randy Johnson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune for leaving a job at his alma mater to go to the Leafs organization was getting job security with a multi-year deal. That's something Bell didn't have at Minnesota where his contract went through April 30, 2019. Combined with working for a coach who didn't hire him, it creates a situation where he would be spending the season auditioning for his job.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Podcast: That Gopher Hockey Puckcast Episode 30
On episode 30 of That Gopher Hockey Puckcast, we reach a milestone: recording an episode without Tom.
With Tom Schreier away, Declan Goff takes over the producing the rest of the squad for a July offseason update. Nate Wells and Drew Cove - back from a giant Midwest road trip - catch up over mics. Topics include NHL Draft highlights, Gophers at NHL Development camps (one of which Drew covered), Minnesota getting a pair of Mittelstadts, what it's like being pampered in first class, "Jersey Shore," Da Beauty League and much, much more. Plus: We answer your mailbag questions and solve college hockey's OT problem.
As a reminder, this offseason episode is on our new podcast feed. You'll have to (re-re) subscribe to get updates as the old feed(s) will no longer update with college hockey content. Here it is on iTunes.
Those discovering Kirby Puckett only played in two postseasons can directly download here.
Since the feed is new, it'd help us out to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.
-Drew can be found on Twitter @covedrew and is the sports editor for the Minnesota Daily. His byline was recently featured in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
-Nate can be found here on this website and at The Athletic (as well as every other website if the various links here don't make clear). You can follow him on Twitter @gopherstate and like/subscribe to his Facebook page.
-Declan covers hockey for Minnesota Hockey Magazine and other outlets in addition to producing. He can be followed on Twitter @dexstweets.
-Tom can be found on Twitter @tschreier3. He is the Founder and President of Zone Coverage.
With Tom Schreier away, Declan Goff takes over the producing the rest of the squad for a July offseason update. Nate Wells and Drew Cove - back from a giant Midwest road trip - catch up over mics. Topics include NHL Draft highlights, Gophers at NHL Development camps (one of which Drew covered), Minnesota getting a pair of Mittelstadts, what it's like being pampered in first class, "Jersey Shore," Da Beauty League and much, much more. Plus: We answer your mailbag questions and solve college hockey's OT problem.
As a reminder, this offseason episode is on our new podcast feed. You'll have to (re-re) subscribe to get updates as the old feed(s) will no longer update with college hockey content. Here it is on iTunes.
Those discovering Kirby Puckett only played in two postseasons can directly download here.
Since the feed is new, it'd help us out to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.
Plugs and stuff
-Drew can be found on Twitter @covedrew and is the sports editor for the Minnesota Daily. His byline was recently featured in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
-Nate can be found here on this website and at The Athletic (as well as every other website if the various links here don't make clear). You can follow him on Twitter @gopherstate and like/subscribe to his Facebook page.
-Declan covers hockey for Minnesota Hockey Magazine and other outlets in addition to producing. He can be followed on Twitter @dexstweets.
-Tom can be found on Twitter @tschreier3. He is the Founder and President of Zone Coverage.
Podcast: That Gopher Hockey Puckcast Episode 29
On episode 29 of That Gopher Hockey Puckcast, we're back...with a new home.
Nate Wells, Drew Cove, Tom Schreier and Declan Goff get together in early June after some offseason time away to discuss what's going on with the Gophers. Topics include the men's hockey schedule release, games to watch, some breaking news (at the time), Garrett Raboin joining Bob Motzko's staff, former St. Cloud State recruits joining Motzko at Minnesota down the line and much more.
In addition, this offseason episode is the first on our new feed. You'll have to (re-re) subscribe to get updates as the old feed(s) will no longer update with college hockey content. Here it is on iTunes.
Those who can derail the show for five minutes can directly download here.
Since the feed is new, it'd help us out to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.
-Drew can be found on Twitter @covedrew and is the sports editor for the Minnesota Daily.
-Nate can be found here on this website and at The Athletic (as well as every other website if the various links here don't make clear). You can follow him on Twitter @gopherstate and like/subscribe to his Facebook page.
-Declan covers hockey for Minnesota Hockey Magazine and other outlets in addition to producing. He can be followed on Twitter @dexstweets.
-Tom can be found on Twitter @tschreier3. He is the Founder and President of Zone Coverage.
Nate Wells, Drew Cove, Tom Schreier and Declan Goff get together in early June after some offseason time away to discuss what's going on with the Gophers. Topics include the men's hockey schedule release, games to watch, some breaking news (at the time), Garrett Raboin joining Bob Motzko's staff, former St. Cloud State recruits joining Motzko at Minnesota down the line and much more.
In addition, this offseason episode is the first on our new feed. You'll have to (re-re) subscribe to get updates as the old feed(s) will no longer update with college hockey content. Here it is on iTunes.
Those who can derail the show for five minutes can directly download here.
Since the feed is new, it'd help us out to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.
Plugs and stuff
-Drew can be found on Twitter @covedrew and is the sports editor for the Minnesota Daily.
-Nate can be found here on this website and at The Athletic (as well as every other website if the various links here don't make clear). You can follow him on Twitter @gopherstate and like/subscribe to his Facebook page.
-Declan covers hockey for Minnesota Hockey Magazine and other outlets in addition to producing. He can be followed on Twitter @dexstweets.
-Tom can be found on Twitter @tschreier3. He is the Founder and President of Zone Coverage.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
BLOG: On college hockey's confusing and compromising overtime format continuing
No matter your perspective on the subject, one thing remains clear. Explaining how overtime works in college hockey can be a major pain.
The same holds true for deciding what overtime format to use.
A new standardized rules proposal for every regular season game to end in a tie if tied after five minutes of five-on-five OT was not long for this world. It didn't take Nostradamus to see this simplifying decision meeting the same fate as four-on-four OT proposed two years ago.
From the moment the NCAA rules committee last month unveiled it last month, it was only a matter of time before backlash ended with a return to status quo.
Just as it was the time before. And the time before that too.
A new standardized rules proposal for every regular season game to end in a tie if tied after five minutes of five-on-five OT was not long for this world. It didn't take Nostradamus to see this simplifying decision meeting the same fate as four-on-four OT proposed two years ago.
From the moment the NCAA rules committee last month unveiled it last month, it was only a matter of time before backlash ended with a return to status quo.
Just as it was the time before. And the time before that too.
Friday, May 25, 2018
BLOG: On Oliver Wahlstrom being a good poster child for college hockey recruiting craziness
Smack in the middle of recruiting craziness, this week saw a rare occurrence in the college hockey world. One of the top 17 year-old hockey players in the country chose his school months before he'll suit up for them.
Not years. Months.
Oliver Wahlstrom, a potential 2018 top-10 NHL Draft pick, will be playing for Boston College. It's a big get for the Eagles, who pick up a player whose USNTDP goal-scoring total is sixth all-time and has been in the public eye since he was a nine year-old viral star.
In most college sports, a five-star recruit deciding at the deadline would be business as usual. Maybe there'd even be a ceremony with hats. College hockey? Five-star recruits commit before they can drive. Look at a U-17 or U-18 roster for the USNTDP. The names without college logos jump out because there are so few.
Most of the time when elite players are undecided at 18 it's a precursor to planning on heading to the CHL or Europe.
When it comes to elite players deciding to go the college route as seniors over the past 10-15 years, Phil Kessel and Brock Boeser stand out as the exception rather than the rule.
Not years. Months.
Oliver Wahlstrom, a potential 2018 top-10 NHL Draft pick, will be playing for Boston College. It's a big get for the Eagles, who pick up a player whose USNTDP goal-scoring total is sixth all-time and has been in the public eye since he was a nine year-old viral star.
In most college sports, a five-star recruit deciding at the deadline would be business as usual. Maybe there'd even be a ceremony with hats. College hockey? Five-star recruits commit before they can drive. Look at a U-17 or U-18 roster for the USNTDP. The names without college logos jump out because there are so few.
Most of the time when elite players are undecided at 18 it's a precursor to planning on heading to the CHL or Europe.
When it comes to elite players deciding to go the college route as seniors over the past 10-15 years, Phil Kessel and Brock Boeser stand out as the exception rather than the rule.
Friday, May 18, 2018
May 2018 College Hockey Mailbag (The Athletic)
This week I participated, along with a few others, in answering questions from Athletic subscribers and Twitter followers. We ended up enough college hockey questions to split the whole thing into three parts based on schools. (Part III also has a couple more general college hockey questions.) I can't thank everyone enough for sending such thoughtful questions. Hopefully, we do something similar soon.
They can be read below.
Part I: On Mankato, Bemidji, North Dakota and the NSCC
Part II: On the Gophers' men's and women's programs
Part III: On the national champions and St. Cloud State
They can be read below.
Part I: On Mankato, Bemidji, North Dakota and the NSCC
Part II: On the Gophers' men's and women's programs
Part III: On the national champions and St. Cloud State
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