Fighting Sioux Vs Findlay

[Riverman]

With the fact that Findlay is to be no more in women's ice hockey.

One wonders is this a good thing for North Dakota a team that is building and will be joining the WWCHA. The players on the current Findlay team will be looking to transfer IMHO.

There is talent on this team.

Three former Findlay players fit into the UND program and IMHO helped this team in leadership roles.

It is to bad for Findlay and women's ice hockey.But maybe these current players will end up on teams that they can help and be appreciated at schools who have hockey!


Go Fighting Sioux!!!!

[dave1381]

Read this week's USCHO women's column... the coach freely admits most of his players are all looking to transfer, though for some it just won't be practical.

[brookyone]

As a fan of the WCHA (mens and womens) with the strength / tradition of the mens program at North Dakota, I for one fully expect the womens team to become a very competitive member of the WCHA in a relatively short time. With the right people running the program, the facilities they have to offer, the fact that they recognize & know where to find talented players, well, I just think it'll happen in the not to distant future...speculation on my part maybe, but I see know reason to doubt it.

[SKATNMIASOV]

Brookyone

I hope that ND will be a serious power one day. However in order for that to happen, I think that the program has to land some serious talent, so other serious talent will follow. The facilities are a definite plus in attracting recruits. I just wonder if the current coach has the rep. that will attract big time players. No knock on the Coach, it is just that she hasn't really been around long. I would look for some one like a Katie King to come in to ND and really do some positive things. With an Olympic rep. behind her, some one of that stature can only draw talent. Plus a head coaching job is also a plus.
The school has definetly put it's backing behind the program. Hopefully they jump to the front as a contender on the Women's side also.

[brookyone]

SKATN, one of, if not the primary reason I believe the UND womens program will develope relatively quickly is I expect them to go right next door & dip into the Minnesota talent pool...quite possibly your beloved SSM, not unlike the mens team does now as well as north of the border. I think they'll likely land their share of top Minnesota high school girls, some undoubtedly who feel snubbed for not being pursued by the U of M as happens sometimes and others just because they receive good offers.

You're right about the importance of the coaching staff although I don't think someone with olympic or international experience is an absolute necessity. One thing I think you need for recruiting successfully are connections...connections with high school coaches in the upper midwest or New England for that matter & the NWHL would be helpful. With the mens program being what it is you may have already established some of that.

Whatever happens I'm looking forward to another WCHA rivalry like the Gopher / Sioux men have now...that'd be cool & good for womens hockey. Hopefully it develope's that way.

[Collegehockeynut]

With regards to recruiting, one of the factors for many recruits is proximity. ND is next door to Manitoba and Saskatchewan and Alberta are a little further away. Yet recrutis from western Canada may find UND more appealing and other Eastern schools because of the proximity.

[BLW]

The fee structure:

Which state you're from or if you're from Man. or Sask. will translate into cheaper tuition fees.

[Riverman]

I think coach SR is doing a great job. She has the women's team around town. Farmers Market (Huge draw on a Sat). Also keeps the team visible in charity work ect. ect

Let's remember this team is only in it's SECOND year of being D1!


As for her connections she put together some nice road trips out east.This helps even more putting UND's name out in the hockey world. Much like Coach Blais does with the men's team.

As for SSM, shhh we like this farm team system!;) :p

[SKATNMIASOV]

Riverman

No doubt on the boys side the SSM connection has paid off so far. However on the women's side Providence tried the same thing landing 4 great SSM players and having very little success this year. Kavos really loves itl at ND
I don't think you will see SSM be a honey hole for ND or any other D-1 school on the girls side. In fact after this year the future seems quite bleek for D-1 prospects coming out of that school. The school has typically sent 3-4 players each year to D-1 schools and this year it's only one (Petrich to Northeastern). Next year probrobly 0. Ihave seen what is coming up from the J.V. program and it is really bad.
It is my opinion that SSM has begun to shift all the recruiting and devotion to the boys program. The boys are never lacking in high calibre players and are reloaded again this year. The girls however struggled to bring in 2 average players. I think SSM loaded up the girls team and made a run at a Championship back 4 years ago, and they have done little recruiting since. It seems like the Champions at the school will now get the majority of the money. IMO for a non conference team the ND schedule was great with some great teams. Hopes for the best at ND in the future.

[Riverman]

Oh I don't know about that, Jessica Kovacevich was from SSM and is a great player. Other wise how did powerhouse UM-Duluth, Wisc and Minny miss out on her?

Also the player must FIT the team.(see above statement)There are a few ladies who did not fit into CR's way of thinking and it happens.



And if the well goes dry maybe UND will have to set up a tent next to the Minnesota Thoroughbreds...:D

[SKATNMIASOV]

Riverman.

Jess comes from a great family and we have spent alot of time with them over the years. Traditionally Minnesota, Duluth and Wisconsin have not recruited hard at SSM. I think there has only been one player from SSM on any Minnesota Team or Wisconsin. That is Betsy Kakowski, a current assistant coach at SSM.
It is funny how things work out and in this case they worked out great for Jess. I think she was over looked playing with the likes of Zimmerman, Helsicak, Payton, and Davis and Myriah, all D-1 standouts. I think she just got overlooked and ND came in and snatched her up. Jess is one of the best Defen. I saw at the H.S, level. She was fast, aggressive and smart and a wonderful person. I was glad to see her make it.

Question: Lauren myers played at Shattuck with Jess and played at ND last year. Any idea what happend to her this year. Did she not make the team??