Players starting to come back - know it's close, Gillies/Blacklock
Busy working on scheduling for future years, with B1G adding a team, trying to adjust UW games
UMD times not official, but pretty sure Sat 7PM, Sunday 4PM CST
Michigan game times still up in the air
Mel thinks it's important we travel down state to play in front of alumni, helps with recruiting too
On Mankato:
Mel careful about what to say, doesn't have all details, has formerly applied to NCHC, a lot TBD
Mel hoping we're in the same conference when the dust settles
Mel has talked to Hastings, he gets it, NCHC meetings in August
Tech needs to continue to strengthen ourselves in college hockey world, less concerned about what's going on outside, Mel's job and goal
We're always going to play good teams
Thought there'd be some reshuffling, with ASU or what happens in AK
Dirk - Tech/NMU/LSSU on a bit of an island, not in conversations like these, maybe due to travel
Mel - yes/no, but you can get here, 3 flights daily etc, all three are good hockey cities
Vallis will likely not be back, no more eligibility, have been several appeals to the initial decision, not sure why Max is diff. than other situation that were granted another year of eligibility
Heinonen - Tyler injured most of last month of season, coming along ahead of schedule, been in Houghton all summer, hasn't been on ice yet
Starting goalie decision to start season?
Wintjes-senior, Kero-RS Sophomore, Redmond-Freshmen
Last year we played everyone with Canadian games, none this year
1st day of a school we can go on the ice 2 hours per week, new rule this year
Why do Tech or other schools not play D3 teams?
Was in talks with Stevens-Point, couldn't' work out dates.
We want it early, first couple weekends. They don't start until later.
Would have no problem doing that with any team. It does count as one of 34 games, Canadian have exemption.
Feedback from NHL camps?
Try to talk to every team that hosted a player.
They liked compete, skill, conditioning level.
Any rule changes of note for next season?
No OT change
Can challenge a goal for off-sides or too many men
Is McNaughton cup in town?
It was sent down to Twin Cities last weekend. Mankato had a blueline golf outing. It'll be back in town, hopefully for Alumni reunion.
It'll be around, hopefully a couple public things.
TV Coverage?
We'll have some. B1G coverage is part of why times are being decided. GLI. NMU games have a contract. Anywhere from 4-10 games.
Who will wear C and A?
Great leadership crew. Watson/Neville/Hanna have been captains before and done a great job.
Baltus added to that group. Look for guys that do things right on/off ice. Good students/citizens.
Happens that they area all seniors. A number of guys got votes.
Can't wait to see Baltus/Jackson/Steman all take the next step this year.
Baltus confidence level has grown each year.
Do you see Neville expanding his offense role? Yes, last year with Vallis/Sturos, that line was really good. Neville has been here all summer, great shape.
Last year we couldn't improve our PWR in WCHA play, will that be better?
Yes. Looking at non-conference games, we will played good teams non-conference. Other WCHA teams need to do the same. Really helps the league overall.
Dirk joked he asked for hard email questions. Rumors are going around that you will leave for Michigan when the job opens.
Red will be around for a long time. Just spoke with him last week. He's in great shape. Mel's got 5 years left on his contract. Mel's wife and him are extremely happy here.
Thoughts on UND/Minn playing in Vegas?
It's great. It looked like we were going to do a tournament in Vegas, but a big convention, CES shifted their dates, so hotel room prices shot up. Now UND/Minn will have a game there. Preliminary discussions to play a tourney in Vegas. ASU, MTU, Denver, Providence, could be a tournament next year.
Mel spoke on some hockey alum experiences/awards.
Get your season tickets. Lamp lighter will be back this year. Expanding East end is infancy stages, seen some plans from a firm for ideas down the road.
Will have recruits coming in over next three weeks.
