Chorney still in Negotiations

The Vancouver Sun has reported that Taylor Chorney’s advisor is still in negotiations with the Oilers. Because of this, Taylor may not report to the Oilers development camp this Sunday. Is it possible the negotiations will fall apart? It would be interesting to see if he can go back to UND next year... I doubt it, but it's fun to think about.

BU's 2008-2009 Schedule

OCTOBER
Sun. 5 NEW BRUNSWICK (exhib.) 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 10 UMass vs. Michigan State^ 4:30 p.m.
NORTH DAKOTA^ 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 11 UMass vs. North Dakota^ 4:30 p.m.
MICHIGAN STATE^ 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 17 MERRIMACK* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 18 @ New Hampshire* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 25 MICHIGAN 7:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER
Sat. 1 @ Vermont* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 7 @ UMass Lowell* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 14 @ Massachusetts* 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 16 NORTHEASTERN* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 21 VERMONT* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 22 VERMONT* 7:00 p.m.
Tue. 25 HOLY CROSS 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 29 ST. LAWRENCE 7:00 p.m.

DECEMBER
Fri. 5 BOSTON COLLEGE* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 6 @ Boston College* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 12 UMASS LOWELL* 7:00 p.m.

JANUARY
Fri. 2 vs Rensselaer% 6:30 p.m.
Sat. 3 vs Denver/Holy Cross% 6/9:00 p.m.
Sat. 10 MAINE* 7:00 p.m.
Tue. 13 PROVIDENCE* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 16 @ Merrimack* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 17 BOSTON COLLEGE* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 23 NEW HAMPSHIRE* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 24 @ New Hampshire* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 30 @ Merrimack* 7:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY
Mon. 2 vs Harvard# (NESN) 5/8:00 p.m.
Fri. 6 UMASS LOWELL* 7:00 p.m.
Mon. 9 vs BC/Northeastern# (NESN) 5/8:00 p.m.
Fri. 13 @ Maine* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 14 @ Maine* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 20 NORTHEASTERN* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 21 @ Northeastern* 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 27 @ Massachusetts* 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 28 MASSACHUSETTS* 7:00 p.m.

MARCH
Fri. 6 @ Providence* 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 8 PROVIDENCE* 2:00 p.m.


All times EST
All home games (in CAPS) to be played at Agganis Arena
* Hockey East game
^ IceBreaker Invitational (Agganis Arena)
% Wells Fargo Denver Cup (Denver, Colo.)# Beanpot Tournament (TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Mass

Garrett Clarke On the Fence?

Garrett Clarke had given a verbal commitment to play for The Fighting Sioux but is he changing his mind to play in the QMJHL. Per the Times & Transcript this may be the rumor... I am sure there will be more on this after the June 7th QMJHL draft.

Agganis vs. "The Ralph"

As summer starts, my thoughts are about the beginning of the 2008-2009 season with the Sioux vs. BU at Aggainis (i.e. at the "Ice Breaker"). So I thought I would provide some thoughts on differences between Agganis (home of BU) and The Ralph Engelstad Area "The Ralph" or "REA" (home of The Fighting Sioux).

From an arena standpoint, hands down, The Ralph is the best hockey facility in all of DI. However, from an atmosphere prospective....Agganis has it beat. Don't get me wrong, The Fighting Sioux have the best fans in college hockey (e.g. Sioux party in Denver 2008). However, when it comes to watching a game at The Ralph; it does not have the same atmosphere as others.

Below is a copy of a post I made on the Sioux Sports .com about the Ralph. I also added a few links to videos of the fans at Agganis.

I love the Sioux but I will have to say I have been very disappointed with the atmosphere in the REA. Because I live in Boston, I follow Hockey East as a season ticket holder to BU. I go to every BU game dressed in SIOUX. Each year I make a pilgrimage to the REA to watch the Sioux play and I have to say each year I get more disappointed. The atmosphere in the Ralph can be at times like be like watching a Chess match with tons of commercials. When I compare the two, the crowd at the Agganis is twice as loud ( it’s half the size of the REA) and the fans including the students are always cheering and appear to be having fun during the game. Their “ Fan antics” including the “ole, ole ole ole ole” chant during a BU penalty kill with a count down at the end of the kill 10, 9, 8…..or the chant to “stand up” towards the end of a close game to have the whole arena stand and cheer. Yes I admit sometimes they can go over the top (e.g. "The Song")but it’s the students enthusiasm, and witty chants that make it fun to watch BU play. My favorite chat from 2007 related to a bunch of younger kids cheering for the opposite team when the students started to chant “It’s past your bed time”. The fans at BU love the SIOUX . They have nothing but great things to say about them and always ask about the REA and how they hear it’s a great hockey facility. Most fans say they would love to see a game at the REA. Here are my thoughts on the REA:Yes, I do believe the students and the band should sit in the lower bowl they should be behind each goal so they can stand, intimidate the opposing team and be heard. They should be the ones getting the fans going; not the big screen. Let’s keep in mind this is a college hockey game and the students should have better treatment. Need to tone down the commercials on the big screen during the game. I was at the Wisconsin series last year at the REA. Saturday night game it was close, the SIOUX were down 3-2 with a few minutes – key time of the game, the place started to get into the game and began to cheer when “BANG” a video message was flashed on screen, not relating to the game, and the place went silent to hear the message and the wind was sucked out of the arena. I tried to continue to stand and cheer only to be yelled at to sit down. I guess Bobby Fischer was about to make his checkmate move. I think the cheerleaders make it fun – it beats having a mascot.. PS this post was brought to you by BOBCAT……………


I would love any comments ...good, bad or indifferent.

BU vs. BC Where is the Line?

I thought this was funny! BU vs. BC

Not Hockey - But a once in a Lifetime event

This past Monday night my friend and I began a journey to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox play the Royals. Ok I will admit it was cold and to tell you the truth it did not look like it was going to be a fun night. It was windy...I mean very windy and just cold, game time temp was in the high 50s. One fan near us said, get use to this it’s October weather....ok it was funny but maybe he was getting ahead of himself.......and then it started....... 3rd inning the thought was in our heads but we did not want to say anything to each other....Then Jacoby makes the great catch in the 4th.. (I was yelling for Jacoby to dive for the ball.) Now we knew something special may be happening. After the 6th we were the only ones standing in our section clapping as Jon Lester walked off the mound. Then in the 7th inning you could feel the tension. Then the eight inning began with a knucklehead sitting next to us saying “oh wow, no hits??” I turned to him in disgust and said, “Welcome to the game”…. After the last out in the eighth by the Sox all of Fenway (even the knucklehead) stood and cheered……..then history was made with Jon Lester, who has battled cancer just two years earlier, throwing a no-hitter and my friend and I witnessing it…… a once in a lifetime event for us to see a cancer survivor throw a no-hitter live at Fenway Park…. Jon Lester you are an inspiration to all…..

Thrashers Sign former UND Captain Rylan Kaip

Today the Trashers signed former senior captain of the University of North Dakota Rylan Kaip. Congrats Rylan!

Top Ice Hockey Story of the Century

No it's not Holy Cross over the Gophers.... the International Ice Hockey Federation announced that the "Miracle on ICE" by the US Team at the 1980 Olympics was the ice hockey story of the century.......I still get chills when I watch it....

Ryan Duncan will stay for his senior year

Schlossman reports Ryan Duncan will be staying for his senior year. This is great news.

Bennett Drafted by USHL

Former Boston University Goalie Brent Bennett was drafted in the first round by the Indiana Ice.

Colin Wilson - Will He Stay or Will He Go

There has been a lot of player moves to date (See CHN) and of course the much anticipated signing of T.J. Oshie. But I can’t believe I am going to bring this up about a player who hasn’t been drafted. But is Colin Wilson going to stay with BU or go to the tempting pros? Not a lot has been written about Colin. Is he ready? Is it possible that Colin would be lured to the pros so quickly if he's only being drafted this summer?

So why should he go? Well the money, everyone else is doing it, and what son would not want to follow his Dad into the family business, becoming an NHL player.

So why should he stay? …. Take a page from the former North Dakota star TJ Oshie’s book and stay for the jersey and pride. This is what TJ said about signing with the Blues:

"This could not have become possible without the help of my fans, coaches, and teammates. Thanks to the fans who have stood behind me through the good and bad times. You are truly the best fans in college hockey.

"A special thanks to the coaching staff for teaching and guiding me to become the best hockey player and [sic] man I can be. Most of all I would like to thank my teammates. My success is directly related to our team success. You have become my lifelong friends and I would 'go to war' with you guys any day. I have had the time of my life at UND and am very proud to have worn the Sioux sweater and added to its tradition."

I think Colin should stay with the Terriers for a few more years. The money will always be there as a pro, and being only 18 (19 in October) he'll get another shot at the World Jrs. But, most of all, he could be part of Terrier history if he's the player that leads the Terriers back to the Frozen Four after an 11 year absence. ……… While the Terriors have a lot of work to do to get back to the Frozen Four, if successful, Colin could say ………"I stayed and made Terrier history" as he signs on the dotted line.

OSHIE From the Sioux to the Blues

Well it looks like he is on his way to the Blues.......TJ you are one of the best......

Who's Who for BU - It could happen

Just think if the "stars align" next year the team could have the Gilroy Boys; Matt and Kevin, the Saponari boys Victor and Vinny and Zach and Colby Cohen (no relations)…Yikes…. Bernie Corbett, the play by play announcer for BU and one of the best in the business will have his hands full.

Is this really a surprise?

Is this really a surprise that Jack Parker let Brett Bennett go (See The Daily Free Press)......I don’t think so. BU has three young goalies in the wings and it’s time for a new era in net.

Last year was a disaster. I know what you are thinking, how can a second place team in Hockey East be considered a disaster…..bottom line they did not make the tournament by a few games….Robert Morris ring a bell. Lets be honest it wasn’t Bennett’s play that propelled the team post Beanpot it was the play of the defense in front of him ....and lets not forget the scoring by the MacArthur line.

I am excited to see what happens in net next year. The defense in front of the net will be pretty much the the same as last year ...... a good opportunity for a young goalie to take over the post Curry era.

BU will have a trio of goalies including current member of the Terriers, Adam Kraus, the two new recruits of Kieran Millan, and Grant Rollheiser…. .. Rollie is 6-4….wouldn't it be interesting to have a “Ben Bishop” like goalie.