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2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

Fighting Sioux 23

Fighting Sioux 23

New member
Well, a disappointing result to a surprising season. At the beginning of the year, my expectations were a 4-6 place finish, trip to the Final Five, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. They finished 4th, won the Broadmoor, and made it to within a game of the Frozen Four....despite all of the obstacles that they faced. It always is difficult to have the season end, especially at the hands of a rival, but there a greener pastures ahead for this program. Depending on who comes back, commits to the program (de-commits from the program), and what other unknown changes happen, the Sioux should be a top contender next season.

Anyway...might as well get the offseason talk started.

Great season Sioux...you gave us one hell of a ride.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

Definitely proud of this Sioux team. A little bit lower expectations for this year, and they were definitely exceeded. Battling through the adversity, and never giving up, those are things that make you proud to be a fan. Hoping everybody stays, but gut tells me Kristo has played his last game for us.

For the record, I want a NC over a Broadmoor every year, but that was one heck of a run. That is arguably one of the best Broadmoor trophies er have captured.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

MavHockey14 said:
Definitely proud of this Sioux team. A little bit lower expectations for this year, and they were definitely exceeded. Battling through the adversity, and never giving up, those are things that make you proud to be a fan. Hoping everybody stays, but gut tells me Kristo has played his last game for us.

For the record, I want a NC over a Broadmoor every year, but that was one heck of a run. That is arguably one of the best Broadmoor trophies er have captured.
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The flight risks have to be Kristo, Nelson, Knight, Dell, MacWilliam, and Forbort. There is also the chance that someone from out of nowhere leaves, but I don't see that happening from this year's squad. I tend to agree that Kristo is likely gone. I'm not sure what more he has to prove at the NCAA level, but according to Schlossman there is a good chance Kristo comes back. I don't see Knight leaving early, and I think Dell comes back. Nelson could benefit from another year in college, but could get some pressure from Long Island to leave early. That leaves MacWilliam and Forbort. If both of those guys come back, our D should be absolutely loaded. It will be nice getting Grimaldi, O'Donnell, and Rodwell back, and we have a solid group of freshmen coming in next year.

It's probably too early to think about expectations for next season, but I'm thinking that a run for the last MacNaughton (at least for the Sioux), a 4peat at the Final Five, and a trip to the Frozen Four might be reasonable expectations for the team. Of course, those expectations could very well change between now and tomorrow (or May/June/July) depending on what the shape of the team is. Ultimately though, I will never ever doubt a Dave Hakstol coached team. I was pretty close to writing them off after the Bemidji series. That will never happen again. It was a great run this year.
 
Fighting Sioux 23 said:
The flight risks have to be Kristo, Nelson, Knight, Dell, MacWilliam, and Forbort. There is also the chance that someone from out of nowhere leaves, but I don't see that happening from this year's squad. I tend to agree that Kristo is likely gone. I'm not sure what more he has to prove at the NCAA level, but according to Schlossman there is a good chance Kristo comes back. I don't see Knight leaving early, and I think Dell comes back. Nelson could benefit from another year in college, but could get some pressure from Long Island to leave early. That leaves MacWilliam and Forbort. If both of those guys come back, our D should be absolutely loaded. It will be nice getting Grimaldi, O'Donnell, and Rodwell back, and we have a solid group of freshmen coming in next year.

It's probably too early to think about expectations for next season, but I'm thinking that a run for the last MacNaughton (at least for the Sioux), a 4peat at the Final Five, and a trip to the Frozen Four might be reasonable expectations for the team. Of course, those expectations could very well change between now and tomorrow (or May/June/July) depending on what the shape of the team is. Ultimately though, I will never ever doubt a Dave Hakstol coached team. I was pretty close to writing them off after the Bemidji series. That will never happen again. It was a great run this year.
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I agree there. I don't think Forbort is quite ready yet to be honest. He took huge steps these last two months, but I feel like he's just not a complete enough player for the next level.

Dell, Mac, Forbort and Knight stay. The other two could go either way, IMHO.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

Was pulling for you guys. When the TV announcers mentioned that you were playing like the 5th game in 10 days, all on the road, and that Minnesota hadn't been anywhere since they'd been here, and how tired you guys all of a sudden looked............
 
Red Cows said:
Was pulling for you guys. When the TV announcers mentioned that you were playing like the 5th game in 10 days, all on the road, and that Minnesota hadn't been anywhere since they'd been here, and how tired you guys all of a sudden looked............
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Lack of depth finally caught up with us. The way we started the game, you could tell they were giving it their all and hat how badly they wanted it. That only counts for so much, and the season had to come to an end. This has been a great yet for a young team to learn a lot, and in hoping we're poised and ready to be a contender next year. (assuming the pieces stay together)
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

I notice the new jerseys, they look pretty good. Miss that logo but congrats on a fine season and post season.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

It sucks you guys won't be in Tampa, you were my only hope for having a "team" there. Besides UND fans are fun. No Maine No UND, BC and Minnie, yuck:D
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

Nice season guys. After having only 2 losses in the last 17 games, this team was truly scary. The big hope is you keep the core of your team.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

Watching the Sioux play yesterday and look increasingly gassed was reminiscent to me of a week ago, and how gassed my DU Pioneers looked as the Sioux walked all over them. Sometimes a team is able to play above the exhaustion and go beyond expectations (usually aided and abetted by a lights-out goalie), but neither the Pio's last week nor the Sioux yesterday were up to that task. Props to the Sioux for an outstanding year in spite of a very short roster. Possibly Hakstol's best coaching job ever, even though not into the FF. Even though none of them are at the final dance, it's going to be awesome watching the weekly competition in the NACHO in a year-plus. WMU has taken a major step forward the last two years. (And, arguably, the degree to how hard they made Sioux work on Saturday was a key contributing factor to yesterday, when Minny had a comparative walk in the park in their semifinal.) Have a good off-season, and look forward to resumption of the competition in 8 months.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

Red Cows said:
Was pulling for you guys. When the TV announcers mentioned that you were playing like the 5th game in 10 days, all on the road, and that Minnesota hadn't been anywhere since they'd been here, and how tired you guys all of a sudden looked............
Click to expand...

aww, the playoffs are so very unfair.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
The flight risks have to be Kristo, Nelson, Knight, Dell, MacWilliam, and Forbort. There is also the chance that someone from out of nowhere leaves, but I don't see that happening from this year's squad. I tend to agree that Kristo is likely gone. I'm not sure what more he has to prove at the NCAA level, but according to Schlossman there is a good chance Kristo comes back. I don't see Knight leaving early, and I think Dell comes back. Nelson could benefit from another year in college, but could get some pressure from Long Island to leave early. That leaves MacWilliam and Forbort. If both of those guys come back, our D should be absolutely loaded. It will be nice getting Grimaldi, O'Donnell, and Rodwell back, and we have a solid group of freshmen coming in next year.

It's probably too early to think about expectations for next season, but I'm thinking that a run for the last MacNaughton (at least for the Sioux), a 4peat at the Final Five, and a trip to the Frozen Four might be reasonable expectations for the team. Of course, those expectations could very well change between now and tomorrow (or May/June/July) depending on what the shape of the team is. Ultimately though, I will never ever doubt a Dave Hakstol coached team. I was pretty close to writing them off after the Bemidji series. That will never happen again. It was a great run this year.
Click to expand...
I actually enjoyed this season a lot. To see where they came back from, and more importantly, to see the strides that players like Gaarder, Pattyn, etc..., made from early in the season has me very optimistic for next year.

In terms of flight risks, I'll be surprised if Kristo is back. And if he makes the jump, my best wishes. He played his heart out down the stretch, he clearly has the talent to play at the next level, and he's earned his shot. If he were to return I will simply look at it as a huge, huge bonus.

I think Forbort is our next biggest risk. Only because L.A. seems to have some defensive issues. But if Derek comes back I think he's going to have a huge year. I also think the pros are willing to let defensive players mature a little longer.

I'm really, really optimistic about next year. We might only lose our seniors and Kristo. We'll get back Grimaldi, Rodwell, O'Donnell. Add in a couple of freshmen. We'll have the MacMillan brothers on our team, and we've always done great with brothers. :)

The WCHA is going to be outstanding next year, imho, and we will be right in the mix.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
The flight risks have to be Kristo, Nelson, Knight, Dell, MacWilliam, and Forbort. There is also the chance that someone from out of nowhere leaves, but I don't see that happening from this year's squad. I tend to agree that Kristo is likely gone. I'm not sure what more he has to prove at the NCAA level, but according to Schlossman there is a good chance Kristo comes back. I don't see Knight leaving early, and I think Dell comes back. Nelson could benefit from another year in college, but could get some pressure from Long Island to leave early. That leaves MacWilliam and Forbort. If both of those guys come back, our D should be absolutely loaded. It will be nice getting Grimaldi, O'Donnell, and Rodwell back, and we have a solid group of freshmen coming in next year.

It's probably too early to think about expectations for next season, but I'm thinking that a run for the last MacNaughton (at least for the Sioux), a 4peat at the Final Five, and a trip to the Frozen Four might be reasonable expectations for the team. Of course, those expectations could very well change between now and tomorrow (or May/June/July) depending on what the shape of the team is. Ultimately though, I will never ever doubt a Dave Hakstol coached team. I was pretty close to writing them off after the Bemidji series. That will never happen again. It was a great run this year.
Click to expand...
It's funny, I haven't fallen for the "Fighting Sioux bad record at Christmas" ruse in at least 5 years. I can understand how a Sioux fan would though. You watch your team every day and if they're not having success it's hard to be able to believe they will turn it around. As a Gopher fan, I don't fall for it. People will comment on what's wrong with the Sioux around the holidays and I say the same thing every year, "Wait." Around the half way point this year I told everyone that the Sioux likely dug themselves too far a hole to contend for the MacNaughton Cup, but I also said they would be right there at the end battling for a Broadmoor and a spot in the Frozen Four. As usual and as expected, the Sioux let me down. :p

Great season Sioux. I guess your next battle is another round with the NCAA in the courtroom. I wish you luck with that. See you next fall! :)
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

cg_siouxfan said:
Well, we had a tough road this year, but it wasn't anything as brutal as getting matched up with Holy Cross, or something like that.
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go ahead, take solace from getting beat like a rented mule by your biggest rival to end your season from some game from 5 years ago, that you guys didn't even win. now, go plant some sugar beets, wearing your HC jersey, and leave the winners to go play in Tampa.
 
Re: 2011-2012 North Dakota Offseason Thread

skiumah2 said:
It's funny, I haven't fallen for the "Fighting Sioux bad record at Christmas" ruse in at least 5 years. I can understand how a Sioux fan would though. You watch your team every day and if they're not having success it's hard to be able to believe they will turn it around. As a Gopher fan, I don't fall for it. People will comment on what's wrong with the Sioux around the holidays and I say the same thing every year, "Wait." Around the half way point this year I told everyone that the Sioux likely dug themselves too far a hole to contend for the MacNaughton Cup, but I also said they would be right there at the end battling for a Broadmoor and a spot in the Frozen Four. As usual and as expected, the Sioux let me down. :p

Great season Sioux. I guess your next battle is another round with the NCAA in the courtroom. I wish you luck with that. See you next fall! :)
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I wasn't falling for that ruse, either, but I still wrote these guys off multiple times, because there were so many freshmen and all the injuries and defections.

Those guys battled to get into the NCAAs and to win a Broadmoor. It was an unbelievable ride.
 
Happy said:
go ahead, take solace from getting beat like a rented mule by your biggest rival to end your season from some game from 5 years ago, that you guys didn't even win. now, go plant some sugar beets, wearing your HC jersey, and leave the winners to go play in Tampa.
Click to expand...

$100 says you didn't attend the F5, the regional, and won't be in Tampa. Your couch must be made of virgin's kisses.
 
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