North Dakota - Growing Program?

[puckcontrol]

North Dakota is starting this year with a whole new coaching staff, including Brian adalski and Maria Lewis, who was so great at recruiting at Mercyhurst. They seem to be putting a lot of effort into recruiting for the 2008/09 season. Any thoughts on whether this new coaching contingent have what it takes to make a winning team within the next few years?

[puckfan11]

puckcontrol North Dakota is starting this year with a whole new coaching staff, including Brian adalski and Maria Lewis, who was so great at recruiting at Mercyhurst. They seem to be putting a lot of effort into recruiting for the 2008/09 season. Any thoughts on whether this new coaching contingent have what it takes to make a winning team within the next few years?
It depends on what you define as a "winning team". IMO Brian Idalski will have a team, this coming year, that will upset some of the ranked teams. He is the type of coach that requires his team to play hard every shift and is knowledgeable enough to make adjustments to play to their strengths while capitalizing on the other teams weaknesses. It will take a couple of recruiting classes to add the right players to the program to make a run in the WCHA. Coach Idalski does not like to lose and will do what it takes to make this program successful.

[BigT]

Lewis and Idalski both have an incredible passion for women's hockey. Any predictions on how they will work together?

[Trillium]

North Dakota is starting this year with a whole new coaching staff, including Brian adalski and Maria Lewis, who was so great at recruiting at Mercyhurst. They seem to be putting a lot of effort into recruiting for the 2008/09 season. Any thoughts on whether this new coaching contingent have what it takes to make a winning team within the next few years?

They are certainly visible already here in Ontario. Both just spent this past weekend at the U18 Final Selection Camp for Team Ontario and have made several home visits.

[Fightingsiouxfan]

UND has athletic facilities second to none and a lovely campus. Grand Forks offer's that midwest hospitality. The team should certainly improve and become more competitive over the next several seasons. I would think that the recruiting outlook should be much improved.

[puckcontrol]

How many years will it take for ND to win a championship? To build up the recruits that Brian and Maria will be able to get to create a winning team to contend with the top schools like Mercyhurst?

[OneTimer]

Grant Kimball also does a great job recruiting.

[ARM]

How many years will it take for ND to win a championship? To build up the recruits that Brian and Maria will be able to get to create a winning team to contend with the top schools like Mercyhurst?The first problem for any of the teams in the bottom half of the WCHA is not a national contender like Mercyhurst, it is making it to the conference semifinals. Other than SCSU in 2006, it has been the same 4 teams every year. The good news for WCHA teams is that if they want to know if they can compete with the top teams in the country, they won't have to wait until the NCAAs to find out.

[puckcontrol]

The first problem for any of the teams in the bottom half of the WCHA is not a national contender like Mercyhurst, it is making it to the conference semifinals. Other than SCSU in 2006, it has been the same 4 teams every year. The good news for WCHA teams is that if they want to know if they can compete with the top teams in the country, they won't have to wait until the NCAAs to find out.

So, would you sign your daughter to North Dakota if she has other offers? I guess what I am saying is are those coaches worth taking a chance on in terms of being part of a developing program? Or is it better to go where the "winning record" is more established?

[gotice]

So, would you sign your daughter to North Dakota if she has other offers? I guess what I am saying is are those coaches worth taking a chance on in terms of being part of a developing program? Or is it better to go where the "winning record" is more established?


The best place to go is where she fits in as a student and how she fits with the coach's plans for the program. Is she going to get playing time on the "winning program" or is she going to be 4th line?

Everything that has been discussed about this new coaching staff at UND is that they are going to bring success to the program.

Remember to use the broken leg test when your daughter is making her final decision. Is the school where she would want to be, if she broke her leg and could no longer be a hockey player.

[ARM]

So, would you sign your daughter to North Dakota if she has other offers? I guess what I am saying is are those coaches worth taking a chance on in terms of being part of a developing program? Or is it better to go where the "winning record" is more established?What are her goals? In the classroom, in the hockey arena, in life in general. Where can she best meet those goals? You can't go just by the coach, because coaches come and go. As much as everyone is giving the coaches at UND strong endorsements, that alone doesn't mean they will be a contender any time soon. I think Vizenor at MSU-Mankato is a very good coach, but the Mavs are still waiting for their first conference semi appearance. If a player has a goal of playing in the NCAAs and is thinking about Grand Forks, it means they have to improve enough to finish ahead of at least one of UW, UM, or UMD. That will take more than just a coaching staff.

To answer your question, I'd consider North Dakota for a daughter who had other offers. I don't know that I'd be that serious about UND if those other offers included all of the top programs, unless the reason was that it was a good fit scholastically.

[D3PuckFan]

To expand upon what has been stated to this point, let me add this.

Unlike men's D-1 hockey, where the pros are a possibility, there really isn't anything for women after their four years of eligibility are up. So, the scholastic endeavors of your daughter have to be taken into consideration. It's a horribly phrased question, but what does she want to be when she grows up?

Brian Idalski is a great coach and a very solid person. In a couple years, UND has the potential to be a contender for the WCHA playoffs. However, when the top flight recruits are getting contacts, you can bet that UW, Minn, UMD and the others are probably also going to be around. The draw of the NCAAs is a powerful thing. But when you're looking at probably only 4 years of playing hockey and a lifetime of other activities, the decision must be a careful one.

[LLL]

Another twist to the UND program is some turmoil in the athletic department.

University of North Dakota athletic department employees have spoken, and their collective voice comes through loud and clear. They aren’t happy with athletic director Tom Buning’s leadership.

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=178678

[Hux]

Another twist to the UND program is some turmoil in the athletic department.

University of North Dakota athletic department employees have spoken, and their collective voice comes through loud and clear. They aren’t happy with athletic director Tom Buning’s leadership.

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=178678

Yeah, I would say "unhappy" is an understatement. Ouch.

[LLL]

Here is a bit more and this is from the Grand Forks Herald. There certainly seemed to be some issues going on. Uff!!

http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=50912

[sk8happy]

So, would you sign your daughter to North Dakota if she has other offers? I guess what I am saying is are those coaches worth taking a chance on in terms of being part of a developing program? Or is it better to go where the "winning record" is more established?

I'd weigh a couple of things in addition to the suggestions of others. First, "I" wouldn't sign my daughter anywhere. She could sign where she felt most comfortable in terms of academics, social life and the hockey program.
Second, I'm sure that the coaching staff at North Dakota is energized and looking to improve quickly. That comes at a cost, not the least of which involves recruiting over players that are currently rostered. Idalski hates to lose + Lewis likes to recuit = lots of bodies. I'd expect there'll be a fair bit of roster turnover and displacement which in turn creates it's own turmoil. I'd expect North Dakota's going to go thru that phase for the next couple of years. Ask yourself if your daughter wants to be part of that.
Your question also begs a larger question --> who the other schools are that are making offers. If my daughter had the opportunity to play for some of the established top end programs like Wisconsin, UNH, SLU, Mercyhurst, etc. then I don't think it would be much of a decision. Proven winners, stable coaching staffs and schools that are consistently attracting much of Ontario's top talent. I've always felt Ontario is a great barometer of which schools are doing things right, mainly because you know their top kids get more recruiting attention and exposure to more schools than any other place in North America.

[RStarr]

I'd weigh a couple of things in addition to the suggestions of others. First, "I" wouldn't sign my daughter anywhere. She could sign where she felt most comfortable in terms of academics, social life and the hockey program.
Second, I'm sure that the coaching staff at North Dakota is energized and looking to improve quickly. That comes at a cost, not the least of which involves recruiting over players that are currently rostered. Idalski hates to lose + Lewis likes to recuit = lots of bodies. I'd expect there'll be a fair bit of roster turnover and displacement which in turn creates it's own turmoil. I'd expect North Dakota's going to go thru that phase for the next couple of years. Ask yourself if your daughter wants to be part of that.
Your question also begs a larger question --> who the other schools are that are making offers. If my daughter had the opportunity to play for some of the established top end programs like Wisconsin, UNH, SLU, Mercyhurst, etc. then I don't think it would be much of a decision. Proven winners, stable coaching staffs and schools that are consistently attracting much of Ontario's top talent. I've always felt Ontario is a great barometer of which schools are doing things right, mainly because you know their top kids get more recruiting attention and exposure to more schools than any other place in North America.
You seem to have this thing with Ontario, UNH, SLU, UW and MC. Lets not forget that out of these four schools, only UW has won a national championship. And their roster last year had TWO players from Ontario. The year before? ONE player from Ontario. There are many other top established programs (to name a FEW: Harvard, UMD, Minny, Dartmouth...). And when Minny won it three years ago, (over Harvard) they had ZERO players from Ontario rostered. Just because you have a knack for attracting some talent out of Ontario, doesn't guarantee you success (i.e. The Lakers...no natty championship, or even frozen four apperance). IMO basing your school selection around following players from Ontario makes little to no sense.

And as much as you preach about the whole "recruiting over rostered players" then you should also be ware that just because a school like the four you mentioned above shows interest or takes a commitment from your daughter doesn't mean she is going to see ANY playing time. And I suppose if Idalski and Co are recruiting your daughter NOW, then its probably safe to say that she is being recruited over someone who is currently rostered...and that sounds like playing time to me. How good was MC two years ago? and three? how about four years ago? While they are always competitive, they really only have been a top 4 team for a few seasons now (maybe even just last season). You don't think their top guns playing now were recruited over then currently rostered players? Hmmmmmm.

Do not championship hunt...absolutely not the way to go when choosing a school to commit to.

[Choirboy]

How many years will it take for ND to win a championship? To build up the recruits that Brian and Maria will be able to get to create a winning team to contend with the top schools like Mercyhurst?

:rolleyes:

[sk8happy]

You seem to have this thing with Ontario, UNH, SLU, UW and MC. Lets not forget that out of these four schools, only UW has won a national championship. And their roster last year had TWO players from Ontario. The year before? ONE player from Ontario. There are many other top established programs (to name a FEW: Harvard, UMD, Minny, Dartmouth...). And when Minny won it three years ago, (over Harvard) they had ZERO players from Ontario rostered. Just because you have a knack for attracting some talent out of Ontario, doesn't guarantee you success (i.e. The Lakers...no natty championship, or even frozen four apperance). IMO basing your school selection around following players from Ontario makes little to no sense.

And as much as you preach about the whole "recruiting over rostered players" then you should also be ware that just because a school like the four you mentioned above shows interest or takes a commitment from your daughter doesn't mean she is going to see ANY playing time. And I suppose if Idalski and Co are recruiting your daughter NOW, then its probably safe to say that she is being recruited over someone who is currently rostered...and that sounds like playing time to me. How good was MC two years ago? and three? how about four years ago? While they are always competitive, they really only have been a top 4 team for a few seasons now (maybe even just last season). You don't think their top guns playing now were recruited over then currently rostered players? Hmmmmmm.

Do not championship hunt...absolutely not the way to go when choosing a school to commit to.

Yup, you caught me. I do have a "thing" for Ontario. Actually Ontario and Quebec for that matter. The thing I have is that they produce the best players in Canada year after year and that isn't going to change.
I also have a thing for Wisc., SLU, UNH & Mercyhurst. The four of them have probably won more games over the past 3 years than any other foursome you can name.
As for not forgetting, UMD and Dartmouth have had dominating teams WITH Ontario and Quebec kids. Plenty of them. You might recall this little trio named Piper, Apps and Weatherston? Ouellette, Marin, McArthur, Blais ring any bells?
No one suggested "basing" your college decision on where the top eastern Canadian kids are going. Still, there is no more heavily recruited talent pool than Ontario's. Geography works in favor of their top kids- they not only get tons of exposure but have better access to visit and tour schools than any other Canadian pool. It logically follows that they're generally better informed in the recruiting process regarding what schools have to offer.

As for playing time, if one of the top 4 or 5 programs is offering your daughter a full scholarship then she's going to see playing time. How much is another matter. It's not to hard to do a little research as to roster sizes, player graduation, etc. It's also not too hard to find out which teams play 3 or 4 lines and which ones play a short bench.

[RStarr]

Yup, you caught me. I do have a "thing" for Ontario. Actually Ontario and Quebec for that matter. The thing I have is that they produce the best players in Canada year after year and that isn't going to change.
Agreed.
I also have a thing for Wisc., SLU, UNH & Mercyhurst. The four of them have probably won more games over the past 3 years than any other foursome you can name.
Its tough to pick up wins in the CHA...and HE ;) JUST KDDING. For real. But If we're talking about shear games then yeah, your gotta good group. Otherwise
its a little different story...

I have a thing for Wisco…GO RED!!! (YEAHHHH BUCKY) :D
As for not forgetting, UMD and Dartmouth have had dominating teams WITH Ontario and Quebec kids. Plenty of them. You might recall this little trio named Piper, Apps and Weatherston? Ouellette, Marin, McArthur, Blais ring any bells?
You tell me? :rolleyes:
No one suggested "basing" your college decision on where the top eastern Canadian kids are going.
If my daughter had the opportunity to play for some of the established top end programs like Wisconsin, UNH, SLU, Mercyhurst, etc. then I don't think it would be much of a decision. Proven winners, stable coaching staffs and schools that are consistently attracting much of Ontario's top talent.
Im sorry, I guess I misunderstood you.
Still, there is no more heavily recruited talent pool than Ontario's. Geography works in favor of their top kids- they not only get tons of exposure but have better access to visit and tour schools than any other Canadian pool. It logically follows that they're generally better informed in the recruiting process regarding what schools have to offer.
Is anyone arguing otherwise?
As for playing time, if one of the top 4 or 5 programs is offering your daughter a full scholarship then she's going to see playing time. How much is another matter. It's not to hard to do a little research as to roster sizes, player graduation, etc. It's also not too hard to find out which teams play 3 or 4 lines and which ones play a short bench.
:confused: