Tuesday, January 23 NHL SuperSkills American Airlines Center 6:30 PM Versus

Wednesday, January 24 NHL-All Star Game American Airlines Center 7:00 PM Versus

Friday, January 26 Calgary Flames Xcel Energy Center
7:00 PM KSTC.TV / WCCO Radio

Saturday, January 27 Columbus Blue Jackets Nationwide Arena
6:00 PM KSTC.TV / WCCO Radio

January 22, 2007

Minnesota Remains Atop
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men’s College Hockey Poll

This Week’s Top-15
Match-Ups

Wednesday, Jan. 24
No. 6 Boston Univeristy
@
No. 14 Boston College

Friday, Jan. 26

No. 14 Boston College
@
No. 6 Boston University

No. 9 Miami (Ohio)
@
No. 3 Notre Dame

No. 4 St. Cloud State
@
No. 5 Denver

No. 15 North Dakota
@
No. 1 Minnesota

Saturday, Jan. 27

No. 9 Miami (Ohio)
@
No. 3 Notre Dame

No. 4 St. Cloud State
@
No. 5 Denver

No. 15 North Dakota
@
No. 1 Minnesota

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The University of Minnesota held tight to the No. 1 spot on the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men’s College Hockey Poll for the ninth-straight week. The Golden Gophers received 509 points and all but one of the 34 first-place votes after a weekend split with then No. 4 University of Denver.

The University of New Hampshire (471) and the University of Notre Dame (418) also remained in position, coming in a Nos. 2 and 3 for the second-straight week. Meanwhile, St. Cloud State University (414) rejoined the top five at No. 4 and Denver (374) dropped one spot to No. 5.

Michigan State University made the biggest gain of the week, moving up three spots to No. 8. The University of North Dakota jumped back into the rankings at No. 15 following a four-week hiatus.

ABOUT THE POLL: The 12th annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men’s College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the six NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the American Hockey Coaches Association and USA Hockey Magazine, the most widely distributed hockey magazine in the world.

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine

Men’s College Hockey Poll -- #15

(first-place votes in parentheses)

Last Week’s 2006-07 Weeks In
Ranking Record Top-15

1. University of Minnesota, 509 (33) 1 21-3-3 15
2. University of New Hampshire, 471 (1) 2 18-4-1 15
3. University of Notre Dame, 418 3 20-5-1 12
4. St. Cloud State University, 414 6 16-4-4 10
5. University of Denver, 374 4 18-8-2 14
6. Boston University, 317 8 12-4-6 15
7. University of Maine, 314 5 15-6-2 15
8. Michigan State University, 259 11 16-8-1 15
9. Miami (Ohio) University, 252 9 18-8-2 15
10. Clarkson University, 177 10 14-6-3 9
11. University of Michigan, 166 13 17-9-0 15
12. University of Vermont, 162 14 14-8-2 7
13. Colorado College, 105 12 14-9-1 8
14. Boston College, 99 7 12-8-1 15
15. University of North Dakota, 24 NR 13-11-2 11

Others receiving votes: Niagara University, 16; Cornell University, 1; Quinnipiac University, 1; Sacred Heart University, 1.

January 23

Mercyhurst Edges Out Wisconsin to Keep No. 1 Ranking
on USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women’s College Hockey Poll

This Week’s Top-10
Match-Ups

Friday, Jan. 26
No. 6 St. Lawrence
@
No. 5 Harvard

No. 7 Minnesota Duluth
@
No. 10 Ohio State

Saturday, Jan. 27
No. 6 St. Lawrence
@
No. 3 Dartmouth

No. 7 Minnesota Duluth
@
No. 10 Ohio State



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Mercyhurst College maintained its No. 1 ranking on the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women’s College Hockey Poll for the seventh-straight week, edging out the University of Wisconsin by a single point. The Lakers received 10 first-place votes and 181 points compared to the Badgers’ nine first-place votes and 180 points.

Meanwhile, Dartmouth College cracked the top three for the first time since the end of the 2004-05 season, garnering 149 points after a win over then No. 3 University of New Hampshire. New Hampshire (126) came in at No. 4 and Harvard University (116) was No. 5.

The University of Minnesota Duluth made the other biggest jump in this week’s poll, moving up two spots to No. 7 following a sweep of Bemidji State University.

ABOUT THE POLL: The 10th annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women’s College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the six NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the American Hockey Coaches Association and USA Hockey Magazine, the most widely distributed hockey magazine in the world.

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine

Women’s College Hockey Poll -- #16

(first-place votes in parentheses)

Last Week’s 2006-07 Weeks In
Ranking Record Top-10
1. Mercyhurst College, 181 (10) 1 21-1-2 16
2. University of Wisconsin, 180 (9) 2 22-1-3 16
3. Dartmouth College, 149 5 15-4-2 16
4. University of New Hampshire, 126 3 17-3-3 16
5. Harvard University, 116 4 14-3-2 16
6. St. Lawrence University, 104 6 19-5-2 16
7. University of Minnesota Duluth, 67 9 15-7-2 16
8. University of Minnesota, 51 7 15-8-1 16
9. Boston College, 35 8 16-6-2 13
10. The Ohio State University, 34 10 14-9-3 5

Others receiving votes: University of Connecticut, 1; Minnesota State University Mankato, 1.

December 30, 2006

University of Minnesota men’s hockey head coach Don Lucia announced today that senior forward Tyler Hirsch has been dismissed from the team.

“Tyler Hirsch’s hockey career at the University of Minnesota has come to an end,” Lucia said. “This is a private and confidential matter between Tyler and the coaching staff, and there will be no further comments from any members of the hockey program or the University of Minnesota. We wish Tyler success in his future endeavors".

1/5/07

USA Beats Sweden To Win Bronze at World Junior Championship
Team Effort Leads To Fifth Medal In WJC History For U.S.

LEKSAND, Sweden -- The United States earned a 2-1 victory over Sweden to claim the bronze medal at the 31st annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship today. It was the fifth medal for the U.S. in the event.

“What you saw today is the culmination of a team coming together and representing themselves and their country with tremendous heart and pride,” said U.S. Head Coach Ron Rolston (Fenton, Mich.). “I couldn’t be more proud of this group of players and our staff.”

Team USA scored with :05 left in the opening period to take a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. Justin Abdelkader (Muskegon, Mich./Michigan State University) started the play when he stole the puck from a Swedish defender behind the net and fed Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./University of Minnesota) in front. Johnson’s shot was saved by Joel Gistedt, but Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./London) made another amazing play when he settled down the rebound inches above the goal line and put it high into the corner of the net. Jim Fraser (Port Huron, Mich./Harvard University) also had a golden opportunity with just over five minutes to go in the period, but his backhanded shot from in front was stopped. U.S. netminder Jeff Frazee (Edina, Minn./University of Minnesota) continued his solid play, rejecting all 11 shots from Sweden.

Each team got a goal in the second period. Sweden tied the game at 9:00 when Patrik Zackrisson beat Frazee from the left circle. Then, just three seconds after a U.S. power play expired, Erik Johnson’s shot along the ice from the center point beat Gistedt to the stick side. Taylor Chorney (Hastings, Minn./University of North Dakota) and Jack Skille (Madison, Wis./University of Wisconsin) picked up assists on the play at 12:34. Johnson made a key defensive play as well with just over two minutes to go when he hustled back and cleared a rebound that sat right in front of the goal with a Swedish forward alongside.

The key moment for Team USA in the third period came with about eight minutes left as the Americans were forced to kill 1:21 of five-on-three power play time. Blocked shots by Fraser and Bill Sweatt (Elburn, Ill./Colorado College) that cleared the zone at critical times and solid goaltending by Frazee kept Sweden off the board. The U.S. had a few good opportunities on a power play with four minutes left, including efforts by Skille on a blast from the slot, Trevor Lewis (Murray, Utah/Owen Sound) from in front and a couple of efforts by Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich./University of Michigan), but the game went to the wire. Team USA, however, stood tall and didn’t allow the hosts any good opportunities the rest of the way, including after they pulled Gistedt with :48 left.

Frazee finished with 25 saves, while Gistedt had 20 stops.

NOTES: Erik Johnson was named the best defenseman in the World Junior Championship by the IIHF directorate. He is only the second U.S. blueliner in the history of the event to receive the honor, joining Joe Corvo, who was honored in 1997 ... The U.S. had two players on the six-member media all-star team, including Erik Johnson on defense and forward Patrick Kane ... Team USA has finished in the top four of the World Junior Championship each of the last five years, the longest such streak in U.S. hockey history ... At each IIHF World Championship, awards are presented to the three best players of each team. The recipients for Team USA were defensemen Erik Johnson and Jack Johnson as well as forward Patrick Kane ... Erik Johnson finished as Team USA’s leading point getter with 4-6--10 in seven games, including 1-1-2 in today’s bronze-medal contest. He had at least one point in each of the team’s last six games ... Patrick Kane was the leading goal scorer with five, including the opening goal of today’s contest. Kane had 5-4--9 in seven tournament games ... Jeff Frazee played the final five games of the World Junior Championship for Team USA and finished with a 4-1 record, a 1.72 goals against average and a .939 save percentage. He is 11-1 in IIHF championship competition lifetime with a gold (2005 IIHF World Under-18 Championship) and bronze (2007 IIHF World Junior Championship) medal to his credit ... Team USA penalty killers allowed just two goals on 37 chances (.054) in the final five games of the World Junior Championship ... The United States played its fifth game in seven days today ... Team USA and Sweden played for the second time in the tournament today. The United States gained a 3-2 overtime win over Sweden in Leksand on Dec. 31 in the final preliminary-round game ... Team USA’s final record in the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship was 3-1-2-1 (based on wins, overtime wins, overtime losses and losses) ... The 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship features athletes under the age of 20 on international teams including the United States, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 1-1-0 -- 2
SWE 0-1-0 -- 1

First Period – Scoring: USA, Kane (E. Johnson, Abdelkader), 19:55. Penalties: SWE, Hornqvist (hooking), 1:40; USA, Lee (hooking), 4:53; SWE, Jundland (interference), 15:00; SWE, Rahimi (checking from behind), 15: 21; SWE, Rahimi (misconduct), 15:21; USA, Stoa (slashing), 15: 21; USA, J. Johnson (interference), 16:49; USA, Okposo (roughing), 16:49; SWE, Turesson (roughing), 16:49; SWE, Zackrisson (holding), 17:13.

Second Period – Scoring: 2, SWE, Zackrisson (Backstrom, Johansson), 9:00; 3, USA, E. Johnson (Chorney, Skille), 12:34. Penalties: SWE, Backstrom (holding), 10:31.

Third Period – Scoring: None. Penalties: SWE, Backstrom (checking from behind), 0:26; SWE, Backstrom (misconduct), 0:26; USA, Zimmerman (interference), 2: 56; SWE, Nevalainen (interference), 7:24; USA, Okposo (tripping), 11:58; USA, J. Johnson (cross checking), 12:37; SWE, Ahnelov (hooking), 15:51.

Shots By Period 1 2 3 Total
USA 7 7 8 22
SWE 11 9 6 26

Goaltending (SH-SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Frazee (60:00) 11-11 9-8 6-6 26-25
SWE, Gistedt (59:13) 7-6 7-6 8-8 22-20

Power Play: USA 0-7, SWE 0-5
Penalties: USA 7-14, SWE 11-38
Attendance: 3,635
Officials: Referee-Francis Charron (Canada); Linesmen-Petr Blumel (Czech Republic), Mikko Kekalainen (Finland)

2007 IIHF World Junior Championship Schedule
Dec. 26-Jan. 5 • Leksand and Mora, Sweden

DATE OPPONENT VENUE TIME (Local/EST)
Dec. 20 Czech Republic (ex.) Contigahallen Arena W, 6-3
Dec. 22 Switzerland (ex.) Contigahallen Arena W, 5-3
Dec. 26 Germany Ejendals Arena L, 1-2 OT
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 27 Canada FM Mattsson Arena L, 3-6
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 30 Slovakia Ejendals Arena W, 6-1
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 31 Sweden Ejendals Arena W, 3-2 OT
TV-None; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 2 Finland (quarterfinal) FM Mattsson W, 6-3
TV-None; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 3 Canada (semifinal) Ejendals Arena L, 1-2 (OT/GWS)
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 5 Bronze-Medal Game Ejendals Arena W, 2-1
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com

Venue Locations: Contigahallen Arena (Norrtalje, Sweden), Ejendals Arena (Leksand, Sweden); FM Mattsson Arena (Mora, Sweden).

1/3/07

U.S. Falls in Heartbreaker to Canada in Semifinals of WJC
Canada Takes Victory in Seventh Round of Shootout

LEKSAND, Sweden -- The United States lost to two-time defending champion Canada, 2-1, in a seven-round shootout in the semifinals of the 31st annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship here today.

Team USA played on 18 hours rest after it defeated Finland in quarterfinal action Tuesday evening, while top-seeded Canada hadn’t played since New Year’s Eve.

“We gave a gutsy effort,” said U.S. Head Coach Ron Rolston (Fenton, Mich.). “I couldn’t have asked our guys to do more. Their goaltender made some keys saves and our goaltending was just excellent as well. Our players can hold their heads high. They did everything we asked of them.”

Team USA will play for the bronze medal Friday at 4 p.m. (10 a.m. EST) against host Sweden.

The teams fired 20 shots on goal in the opening period -- 11 by the United States -- but both goaltenders were solid. U.S. netminder Jeff Frazee (Edina, Minn./University of Minnesota) made a big save on a Steve Downie power-play attempt from the side of the goal midway through the period and also stopped Darren Helm on a shorthanded break late in the period.

Team USA got the only goal of the second period. It came at 5:04 on the power play when Taylor Chorney’s (Hastings, Minn./University of North Dakota) pass from the bottom of the left circle across the crease intended for Nate Gerbe (Oxford, Mich./Boston College) hit Marc Staal’s skate and deflected past Canadian netminder Carey Price. Frazee was again outstanding in goal. While Canada had only six shots, he made two huge stops in the period, including one in which he slid across to rob Bryan Little on a rebound of Downie’s original attempt. Frazee also stoned Downie on a break down the right side with just more than four-and-a-half minutes to go in the period.

Canada tied the game on its fourth-straight power-play opportunity at 12:19 of the third period when Luc Bourdon’s shot from the point sailed over the shoulder of Frazee. It was the only goal of the period.

In the 10-minute overtime, which was played with the teams skating four-on-four, Team USA dominated. The U.S. had a 12-2 shots advantage, including several great chances on a power play midway through. Perhaps Team USA’s best chance came just after the power play expired when Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./University of Minnesota) made a nifty backdoor pass to Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./London) from the left point, but Kane’s deflection from the side of the net went over the cage.

That set the stage for what turned into a dramatic seven-round shootout. After Canada’s Downie and the United States’ Kane were both stopped to start the shootout, Little gave Canada a 2-1 lead. Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn./Everett), however, tied the shootout, but Jonathan Toews put Canada ahead 3-2 forcing the U.S. to score. It did just that, thanks to Jack Johnson’s (Ann Arbor, Mich./University of Michigan) blast to the stick side. Little failed in the fourth round, meaning a goal by the U.S. would send it to the gold-medal game. Kane made a slick move in front, but Price made a save that carried him partially back into his own net with the puck squeezed between his pads. Toews scored in the fifth round to give Canada the advantage, but Mueller went high under the cross bar to even the shootout again. Andrew Cogliano of Team Canada started the sixth round with a shot that beat Frazee low to the glove side, but again the U.S. answered as Jack Johnson put one up high on the stick side of Price to force a seventh round. Toews scored again, before Mueller’s attempt to send the shootout to an eighth round was turned aside.

Frazee finished with 26 saves, while Price had 34 stops.

Friday’s (Jan. 5) bronze-medal game can be heard live on
usahockey.com with Jim Rich and Jeff Sauer. In addition, NHL Center Ice will provide live television coverage of the game in the United States.

NOTES: Jeff Frazee (Edina, Minn./University of Minnesota) was named the U.S. Player of the Game ... During the first intermission of the Sweden-Russia semifinal, the IIHF conducted a press conference to clarify the situation relating to Patrick Kane’s second shootout attempt (4th round). The question centered around why the referee did not use video replay to review the play as it appeared Canada netminder Price may have carried the puck back over the goal line with him into the net. The IIHF said that the play was reviewed following the game and there was no evidence that showed the puck crossing the goal line ... The 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship features athletes under the age of 20 on international teams including the United States, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland … The U.S. National Junior Team is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Junior Championship in Vancouver, British Columbia.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

CAN 0-0-1-0-1 -- 2
USA 0-1-0-0-0 -- 1

First Period – Scoring: None. Penalties: USA, Abdelkader (elbowing), 2:23; CAN, Letang (roughing), 5:20; USA, Gerbe (slashing), 5:20; CAN, Toews (hooking), 6:33; USA, Lee (interference), 9:54; CAN, Parent (holding), 17:19; USA, Abdelkader (interference), 19:52.

Second Period – Scoring: 1, USA, Chorney (E. Johnson), 5:04 (pp). Penalties: CAN, Gagner (hooking), 4:36; USA, Mueller (hooking), 7:19; USA, Abdelkader (slashing), 11:45; CAN, O’Marra (hooking), 13:01; USA, Lee (interference), 15:23.

Third Period – Scoring: 2, CAN, Bourdon (Russell, Toews), 12:19 (pp). Penalties: USA, Zimmerman (tripping), 3:22; USA, Carman (elbowing), 9:24; USA, Geoffrion (interference), 10:56.

Overtime (10 minutes) – Scoring: None. Penalties: CAN, Letang (high sticking), 4:23.

Game Winning Shots – CAN, Downie (saved); USA, Kane (saved); CAN, Little (goal); USA, Mueller (goal); CAN, Toews (goal); USA, J. Johnson (goal); CAN, Little (saved); USA, Kane (saved); CAN, Toews (goal); USA, Mueller (goal); CAN, Cogliano (goal); USA, J. Johnson (goal); CAN, Toews (goal); USA, Mueller (saved).

Shots By Period 1 2 3 OT GWS Total
CAN 9 6 10 2 1 28
USA 11 7 5 12 0 35

Goaltending (SH-SV) 1 2 3 OT GWS Total
CAN, Price (70:00) 11-11 7-6 5-5 12-12 0-0 35-34
USA, Frazee (70:00) 9-9 6-6 10-9 2-2 1-0 28-26

Power Play: CAN 1-9, USA 1-5
Penalties: CAN 6-12, USA 10-20
Attendance: 2,376
Officials: Referee-Ulf Ronnmark (Sweden); Linesmen-Petr Blumel (Czech Republic), Fredrik Ulriksson (Sweden)

2007 IIHF World Junior Championship Schedule
Dec. 26-Jan. 5 • Leksand and Mora, Sweden

DATE OPPONENT VENUE TIME (Local/EST)
Dec. 20 Czech Republic (ex.) Contigahallen Arena W, 6-3
Dec. 22 Switzerland (ex.) Contigahallen Arena W, 5-3
Dec. 26 Germany Ejendals Arena L, 1-2 OT
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 27 Canada FM Mattsson Arena L, 3-6
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 30 Slovakia Ejendals Arena W, 6-1
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 31 Sweden Ejendals Arena W, 3-2 OT
TV-None; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 2 Finland (quarterfinal) FM Mattsson W, 6-3
TV-None; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 3 Canada (semifinal) Ejendals Arena L, 1-2 (OT/GWS)
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 5 Bronze-Medal Game Ejendals Arena 4:00 p.m./10:00 a.m.
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com

Venue Locations: Contigahallen Arena (Norrtalje, Sweden), Ejendals Arena (Leksand, Sweden); FM Mattsson Arena (Mora, Sweden).

USA Beats Sweden, 3-2, In Overtime Thriller
Win Propels Team USA To Quarterfinal Game vs. Finland on Tuesday

LEKSAND, Sweden -- Defenseman Jack Johnson’s (Ann Arbor, Mich./University of Michigan) power play blast from the side of the left circle propelled the United States to a 3-2 overtime victory over Sweden today in preliminary-round play at the 31st annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.

The win vaulted the United States into Tuesday’s (Jan. 2) quarterfinal round where Team USA will face Finland at 7:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. EST) at the FM Mattsson Arena in Mora, Sweden.

“Obviously, that was a very big win for our hockey team,” said U.S. Head Coach Ron Rolston (Fenton, Mich.). “We didn’t get the start we wanted to, but we showed a lot of character and got better as the game wore one.”

Team USA started the night knowing that it needed a win to advance to the quarterfinal round.

While the first period was scoreless, both teams had solid scoring chances. Team USA finished with 11 shots on goal in the first period, however, its first shot was a shorthanded effort from the high slot by Justin Albdekader (Muskegon, Mich./Michigan State University) nearly eight minutes in. Sweden had 12 shots on goal in the stanza but could not solve U.S. netminder Jeff Frazee (Edina, Minn./University of Minnesota).

Sweden took a 1-0 lead at 7:16 of the second period in shorthanded fashion as Andreas Turesson put home the rebound of Martin Johansson’s initial shot. Team USA rallied with two goals in a 1:35 span in the back half of the period to stake a 2-1 advantage at 40 minutes. Kyle Okposo (St. Paul, Minn./University of Minnesota) intercepted a Swedish pass behind the net and fed Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./London) in front for Kane’s third goal in two games. Then Ryan Stoa (Bloomington, Minn./University of Minnesota) banged home the second rebound in tight at 13:25 following Peter Mueller’s (Bloomington, Minn./University of Minnesota) initial shot from the left circle and Nathan Gerbe’s (Oxford, Mich./Boston College) rebound attempt.

The U.S. looked like it would win the game in regulation, however, with :14 left in regulation and Sweden netminder Joel Gistedt pulled in favor of an extra attacker, Fredrik Pettersson got the puck by Frazee to tie the game.

That set the stage for Jack Johnson, who scored his second game-winning goal in as many days. Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./University of Minnesota) and Jack Skille (Madison, Wis./University of Wisconsin) drew assists on the four-on-three overtime goal.

Frazee finished with 28 saves, while Gistedt had 31 stops for Sweden.

Tuesday’s (Jan. 2) quarterfinal game can be heard live on usahockey.com with Jim Rich and Jeff Sauer. There is no U.S. television coverage.

NOTES: A special hour-long show previewing Team USA’s stretch run at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship will air live on USAHockey.com at 1 p.m. (EST) tomorrow. Head Coach Ron Rolston, Assistant Coaches Nate Leaman, Phil Housley and John Harrington as well as several members of Team USA will join Jim Rich and Jeff Sauer during the broadcast ... The 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship features athletes under the age of 20 on international teams including the United States, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland … The U.S. National Junior Team is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Junior Championship in Vancouver, British Columbia … Eight members of the U.S. National Junior Team are returning from last year’s team, including Taylor Chorney (Hastings, Minn./University of North Dakota), Jeff Frazee (Burnsville, Minn./University of Minnesota), Nate Gerbe (Oxford, Mich./Boston College), Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./University of Minnesota), Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich./University of Michigan), Brian Lee (Moorhead, Minn./University of North Dakota), Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn./Everett) and Jack Skille (Madison, Wis./University of Wisconsin).

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

Sweden 0-1-1-0 -- 2
USA 0-2-0-1 -- 3

First Period – Scoring: None. Penalties: USA, E. Johnson (holding), 0:58; USA, Geoffrion (hooking), 5:46; USA, J. Johnson (slashing), 7:33; SWE, Rahimi (elbowing), 10:43.

Second Period – Scoring: 1, SWE, Turesson (Johansson), 7:11 (sh); 2, USA, Kane (Okposo), 11:50; 3, USA, Stoa (Gerbe, Mueller), 13:25. Penalties: SWE, Hellstrom (interference), 5:16, SWE, Turesson (roughing), 7:11; USA, E. Johnson (delay of game), 17:52.

Third Period – Scoring: 4, SWE, Pettersson (Backstrom, Hornqvist), 19:46 (with goaltender pulled). Penalties: USA, E. Johnson (misconduct), 4:20; USA, Fraser (holding), 8:09; SWE, Lindqvist (elbowing), 11:50; USA, Okposo (roughing), 11:50.

Overtime – Scoring: 5, USA, J. Johnson (E. Johnson, Skille), 3:16 (pp). Penalties: SWE, Ahnelov (cross checking), 1:17.

Shots By Period 1 2 3 OT Total
SWE 12 9 9 0 30
USA 11 10 9 4 34

Goaltending (SH-SV) 1 2 3 OT Total
SWE, Gistedt (62:38) 11-11 10-8 9-9 4-3 34-31
USA, Frazee (63:16) 12-12 9-8 9-8 0-0 30-28

Power Play: SWE 0-5; USA 1-4
Penalties: SWE 5-10; USA 6-22
Attendance: 4,297
Officials: Referee-Vladimir Sindler ; Linesmen-Kelly Balaberda, Miko Kekalainen

2007 IIHF World Junior Championship Schedule
Dec. 26-Jan. 5 • Leksand and Mora, Sweden

DATE OPPONENT VENUE TIME (Local/EST)
Dec. 20 Czech Republic (ex.) Contigahallen Arena W, 6-3
Dec. 22 Switzerland (ex.) Contigahallen Arena W, 5-3
Dec. 26 Germany Ejendals Arena L, 1-2 OT
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 27 Canada FM Mattsson Arena L, 3-6
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 30 Slovakia Ejendals Arena W, 6-1
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 31 Sweden Ejendals Arena W, 3-2 OT
TV-None; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 2 Finland (quarterfinal) FM Mattsson 7:30 p.m./1:30 p.m.
TV-None; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 3 Semifinals Ejendals Arena TBD
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 5 Gold/Bronze Ejendals Arena TBD
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com

Venue Locations: Contigahallen Arena (Norrtalje, Sweden), Ejendals Arena (Leksand, Sweden); FM Mattsson Arena (Mora, Sweden).

12/27/06

Canada Downs USA, 6-3, In World Junior Championship

Team USA Has Two Days Off Before Next Meeting Slovakia

MORA, Sweden -- While the final score finished 6-3 in favor of Canada over the United States tonight in preliminary round action at the 31st annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, the game was far closer than the final score indicated.

“I was proud of our effort overall,” said U.S. Head Coach Ron Rolston (Fenton, Mich.). “We battled back and kept coming until the end. I told our guys afterward to stay positive and stay together. This team has not yet reached its potential and we’ll work hard in practice the next two days to work on some areas that need to be addressed.”

Canada held a 2-0 lead after the opening period with the goals coming in the final 5:17 of the period. Steve Downie beat U.S. netminder Jeff Zatkoff (Chesterfield, Mich./Miami (Ohio) University) between the legs on a two-on-one break at 14: 43 before Tommy Pyatt tipped a puck past Zatkoff off Cody Franson’s shot from the center point on the power play at 17:33. Team USA’s best chances came on Justin Abdelkader’s (Muskegon, Mich./Michigan State University) shot from in tight on the power play midway through the period and on a Nate Gerbe (Oxford, Mich./Boston College) blast from the left faceoff circle off a 3-on-2 break with two minutes left in the period.

Team USA fell behind 3-0 just 1:55 into the second period when Jonathan Toews scored on the backhand off a rebound with Canada on the power play. The United States took just :29 to get back into the contest when Erik Johnson’s (Bloomington, Minn./University of Minnesota) shot from the center point beat a screened Carey Price. Bill Sweatt (Elburn, Ill./Colorado College) made one of the tournament’s prettiest plays as he circled behind his own net and avoided multiple Canadian players in a rush up the right side of the ice. Sweatt’s shot from the right circle went off the end boards and came out the other side where Mike Carman (Rosemount, Minn./University of Minnesota) banged it in an open net.

Toews scored on a penalty shot at 9:13 of the third period to put Canada back in front by two. Erik Johnson threw his stick in an attempt to knock the puck from Toews, who was in on a break. Sweatt got the U.S. back to within a goal at 13:50 when he put home a rebound off Jack Skille’s (Madison, Wis./University of Wisconsin) initial shot. Two goals by Darren Helm in the final 1:43, including an empty-netter at 19:03, sealed the win for Team Canada.

Zatkoff finished with 21 saves, while Price made 32 stops for Germany.

Team USA will have two days off before battling Slovakia in the third of its four preliminary-round games on Saturday (Dec. 30). Opening faceoff is set for 11 a.m. (EST) and the game can be heard live on usahockey.com and seen live on NHL Center Ice.

NOTES: Skille was named the U.S. Player of the Game ... The 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship features athletes under the age of 20 on international teams including the United States, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland … The U.S. National Junior Team is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Junior Championship in Vancouver, British Columbia … Eight members of the U.S. National Junior Team are returning from last year’s team, including Taylor Chorney (Hastings, Minn./University of North Dakota), Jeff Frazee (Burnsville, Minn./University of Minnesota), Nate Gerbe (Oxford, Mich./Boston College), Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn./University of Minnesota), Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich./University of Michigan), Brian Lee (Moorhead, Minn./University of North Dakota), Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn./Everett) and Jack Skille (Madison, Wis./University of Wisconsin).

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 0-2-1 -- 3
CAN 2-1-3 -- 6

First Period – Scoring: 1, CAN, Downie (Letang, Bourdon), 14:43; 2, CAN, Pyatt (Franson, Russell), 17:33 (pp). Penalties: CAN, Neal (interference), 8: 38; CAN, Parent (holding), 10:18; USA, Stoa (kneeing), 17:14.

Second Period – Scoring: 3, CAN, Toews (Pyatt), 1:55 (pp); 4, USA, E. Johnson (Chorney), 2:24; 5, USA, Carman (Sweatt), 6:12. Penalties: USA, Lewis (holding), 1:04; CAN, Marchand (tripping), 3:22; USA, Stoa (roughing), 4: 34; CAN, Bourdon (roughing), 4:34; CAN, Downie (misconduct), 7: 30; USA, Zimmerman (roughing), 9:02; CAN, Helm (boarding), 11: 23; USA, Lee (interference), 13:51; USA, J. Johnson (charging), 15:09; CAN, Franson (slashing), 16:12; USA, Okposo (roughing), 18:18.

Third Period – Scoring: 6, CAN, Toews, 9:13 (penalty shot); 7, USA, Sweatt (Skille), 13:50; 8, CAN, Helm (unassisted), 18:17; 9, CAN, Helm (Downie), 19:03 (en). Penalties: CAN, Bench (too many players), 5:09; CAN, Downie (roughing), 8:25; USA, Kane (roughing), 8:25; USA, Mueller (cross checking), 11:04; CAN, Bourdon (cross checking), 14:40.

Shots By Period 1 2 3 Total
USA 9 10 16 35
CAN 9 6 11 26

Goaltending (SH-SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Zatkoff (59:38) 9-7 6-5 11-9 26-21
CAN, Price (60:00) 9-9 10-8 16-15 35-32

Power Play: USA 0-7; CAN 2-7
Penalties: USA 9-18; CAN 10-28
Attendance: 3,539
Officials: Referee-Danny Kurmann; Linesmen-Petr Blumel, Leo Takula

2007 IIHF World Junior Championship Schedule
Dec. 26-Jan. 5 • Leksand and Mora, Sweden

DATE OPPONENT VENUE TIME (Local/EST)
Dec. 20 Czech Republic (ex.) Contigahallen Arena W, 6-3
Dec. 22 Switzerland (ex.) Contigahallen Arena W, 5-3
Dec. 26 Germany Ejendals Arena L, 1-2 OT
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 27 Canada FM Mattsson Arena L, 3-6
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 30 Slovakia Ejendals Arena 5:00 p.m./11:00 a.m.
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Dec. 31 Sweden Ejendals Arena 5:00 p.m./11:00 a.m.
TV-None; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 2 Quarterfinals Ejendals/FM Mattsson TBD
TV-NHL Center Ice (if USA is A2); Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 3 Semifinals Ejendals/FM Mattsson TBD
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com
Jan. 5 Gold/Bronze Ejendals Arena TBD
TV-NHL Center Ice; Audiocast-usahockey.com

Venue Locations: Contigahallen Arena (Norrtalje, Sweden), Ejendals Arena (Leksand, Sweden); FM Mattsson Arena (Mora, Sweden).

Report from USA Hockey media.

2006-07 MIAC Winter Preseason Coach's Polls Announced

November 3, 2006

The following is the Preseason Coach's Polls for men's and women's hockey. The preseason favorites include St. Thomas - Men's Hockey, and Gustavus - Women's Hockey.

MIAC Men's Hockey
St. Thomas claimed the top spot in this season's poll as the 2005-06 conference champs received five first-place votes. The Tommies edged out Bethel, Saint John's and St. Olaf to claim the number one spot. Men's hockey non-conference action begins Friday, November 3 with MIAC conference games beginning Friday, November 17.
1. St. Thomas (5)
2. Bethel (3)
3. Saint John's
4. St. Olaf (1)
5. Gustavus
6. Saint Mary's
7. Augsburg
8. Hamline
9. Concordia

MIAC Women's Hockey
Once again, Gustavus and St. Thomas are on top the MIAC in this year's preseason poll. Gustavus, the 2005-06 regular season and playoff champion, topped St. Thomas and St. Olaf in the poll. Non-conference games begin Friday, November 3 for women's hockey and MIAC conference games begin Friday, November 17.
1. Gustavus (8)
2. St. Thomas (2)
3. St. Olaf
4. Saint Mary's
5. Bethel
6. Augsburg
7. Concordia
8. Hamline
9. Saint Benedict
10. St. Catherine

FIVE NAMED TO NATIONAL PRESEASON TEAM

Five Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) men's hockey student-athletes have been named to the 2006-07 All-USCHO Division II/III Preseason Team. Augsburg senior forwards Aaron Johnson and Critter Nagurski were named to the West First Team along with Gustavus senior defenseman Jon Keseley. Bethel senior defenseman Neal Carson was named to the second team while Gustavus senior forward Mike Hosfield was listed on the honorable mention.

Augsburg College senior forward Aaron Johnson (Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong) earned a spot on the AHCA/RBK Hockey Division III All-American first team in 2005-06, and is a two-time All-MIAC honoree. Last season, Johnson led the nation in both points per game (1.96) and assists per game (1.44), as he collected 13 goals and 36 assists for 49 points. He led the MIAC in both overall games and conference games-only (32 points) scoring, as well as assists in both categories (23 in league play). In two seasons of hockey at Augsburg (50 games) after playing his freshman season at Division I Michigan Tech, he has compiled 23 goals and 61 assists for 84 points. He had at least one goal or assist in 23 of Augsburg's 25 games last season, with multiple-point games 14 times.

Augsburg College senior forward Critter Nagurski (International Falls, Minn.) has earned All-MIAC honors three times, being named to the first team the last two years and as an honorable-mention selection his freshman year. Nagurski led the MIAC in goals scored in both overall (21) and conference games only (15), finishing with 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists). His goals-per-game average of 0.84 was fifth-best among Division III players last season. In three seasons of hockey at Augsburg (72 games), Nagurski has compiled 43 goals and 35 assists for 78 points. He scored at least one goal or assist in 19 of Augsburg's 25 games last season, and had multiple-point efforts 10 times.

Gustavus Adolphus College senior defenseman Jon Keseley (St. Louis Park, Minn.) led the Gusties in scoring in 2005-06 with 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points. He also was the top scoring defenseman in Division III last season. He received First Team All-Conference honors as well as Second Team All-America honors. Keseley has tallied 25 goals and 36 assists for 61 points in his three years on the Gustavus hockey team.

Bethel University senior defenseman Neal Carlson (Roseville, Minn.) will once again look to be one of the top defensemen in the MIAC after a strong 2005-06 campaign. Last year Carlson scored six goals and 18 assists for a combined 24 total points earning him All-MIAC honors. Carlson led all Royals defensemen in points scored for the 2006 season and finished ranked 17th in the MIAC for points scored. He also ended the season tied for second in MIAC defensemen scoring. During the 2004-05 season Carlson was given honorable mention honors as a sophomore. Carlson is majoring in accounting and finance.

Gustavus Adolphus College senior forward Mike Hosfield (Golden Valley, Minn.) was the second leading scorer for the Gusties last season with 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points. Hosfield led the team in goals scored with 19. He was also a First Team All-Conference selection. A two-year letterwinner, Hosfield has compiled 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points in his two-year varsity career.

Update courtesy of MIAC media relations

Visit the MIAC website:
http://www.miac-online.org/hockey.html

By Greg Anzelc

I’m not really sure why I was lying in bed watching NHL hockey at midnight, perhaps it was because I couldn’t fall asleep, still chuckling to myself after watching Kramer host a hot tub party in his apartment on a classic episode of Seinfeld.

But I was up, watching the Wild play in Los Angeles in their first road game of the season after starting with five wins at home; and after seeing the overtime, game-winning goal by Marian Gaborik am glad I was.

This goal wasn’t a Webgem that ESPN will play over and over like many of the 134 goals that Gaborik has scored over the past five seasons. His 135th career goal was instead a perfect page taken from the book of what coach Jacques Lemaire has been demanding from his players, and asking of Gaborik.

It was a goal that on a single play encapsulated everything a player should be doing on the ice, and could provide a season’s worth of lessons to any hockey players who might have been up watching the game late Wednesday night.

Backchecking. The genesis of the game winning goal was Gaborik hustling to get back to his own end of the ice.
Pick up a man. One he hustled back, he immediately picked up a man, and promptly picked his pocket and turned back up ice with the puck.
Vision/awareness. Within a single stride Gaborik was already looking to move the puck, and promptly found Pavol Demitra streaking down the right side.
Keep the feet moving. With Demitra heading up ice with the puck, Gaborik used his speed to accelerate by the Kings which forced Sean Avery to put a stick on him, resulting in a delayed penalty being signaled. Gaborik kept his feet moving and skated through the obstruction to find open space.
Patience. Demitra’s pass through traffic hit Gaboik’s right skate as entered the slot. Rather than trying to fire an awkward, off-balance shot, the All-Star forward patiently directed the puck from his skate blade to his stick. With King’s goalie Dan Cloutier committing, Gaborik redirected the puck at the last second into the left corner of the net.

It was a great play in the slot to score, but an even better effort 140 feet away at the other end of the rink where it all started.

It was a play that every youth hockey player should have seen, and could have learned a season’s worth of lessons from.

If only it hadn’t happened at 12:03 a.m.

Greg Anzelc

October 10


By Tom Reale
St. Cloud State University Athletic Media Relations

St. Cloud State has a proud history of players advancing to success in the professional ranks, but few can claim to be a part of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.

SCSU sophomore forward Michael Olson can make that claim.

“It was a bizarre turn of events. It may not really be my greatest game, but it’s the one that will probably leave the most lasting impression.”

In 2004, Olson was playing junior hockey for the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League. The first round of the playoffs against the Powell River Kings was a best-of-seven series which went down to the deciding Game Seven in Nanaimo.

“We were down three games to two going into their barn, and managed to get out of there with a win, so we were confident heading home that we would do well.

“It was 3-2 for Powell River with just a little bit to go in the game, and one of my linemates scored to tie it up.”

With 1:20 to play in the tied game, the Powell River goaltender covered the puck in the left faceoff circle, and the referee awarded Nanaimo a penalty shot. The Clippers converted, and won the game 4-3.

“Powell River did the right thing,” Olson says. “They protested the game. We probably would have done the same.”

Although by rule any delay of game penalty during the last two minutes of the third period is considered a penalty shot in junior hockey, the Board of Governors of the BCHL overturned the referee’s ruling on the play. The two teams were told to replay the final 1:20 of the game in Nanaimo with a face-off awarded rather than the penalty shot.

“We ended up finishing the game 72 hours after it started. They gave us 15-minute warm-ups, and then they cut up the ice a bit to make it similar to what it would be like after a whole period.”

The game finished regulation tied, and Olson scored 51 seconds into overtime to win the game for Nanaimo.

“Our team was kind of a mish-mash up to that point,” says Olson of his squad. “That moment kind of became the rallying point of our team. We took the mindset of ‘OK, once again, the league is trying to keep Nanaimo down,’ and we took that mentality as far as we could take it.”

After the season, Olson’s stick and jersey from the replayed game, along with the puck with which he scored the game winning goal, were put on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame – as a piece of hockey history in the “longest game ever decided.”

The Clippers, with Olson as the team’s captain, would go on to win the BCHL title, and then defeated the Alberta Junior Hockey League champion to win their first ever Doyle Cup and earned the right to compete for the Royal Bank Cup – Canada’s Junior A national championship.

For Love of the Game
Olson’s introduction to the game was what would be considered a typical story of a young Canadian growing up with a passion for the sport.

“There are around 3,000 people who live in Tisdale,” says Olson of his hometown, a farming community in northeastern Saskatchewan. “You could fit all of them on one side of the National Hockey Center. It’s only about a kilometer long and everyone knows everyone. It’s a safe community and it’s a great place to grow up as a kid.

“I got my first pair of skates when I was two years old. I learned how to skate by pushing the chair around at public skating, and started playing hockey when I was five.”

Olson made his way up through the youth hockey ranks as he grew up. When he entered his teenage years, he began to face his own hockey future.

“When I was in bantam [youth hockey for ages 13-14], they told me I was too small to play competitively at higher levels. When the WHL [a major junior hockey league in Canada] had their bantam draft and I didn’t even make my zone team. I felt like I was one of the better players there, so it lit a fire under me to prove that I could play the supposed ‘big man’s game.’”

For the rest of his youth career, Olson’s major junior rights were traded and dropped several times by several teams, but he continued working hard to prove that he belonged.

In 2002, while playing for his hometown Tisdale Trojans, Olson, along with first-year Husky Craig Gaudet, won the Air Canada Cup, awarded to the top Midget AAA team in Canada. In the championship game in New Brunswick, Olson and the Trojans defeated the Dartmouth (Nova Scotia) Subways, a team anchored by now-teammate Andrew Gordon and current NHL star Sidney Crosby.

By that time, the Prince George Cougars had been sufficiently impressed by Olson’s play that they invited him to join their team, but Olson had already committed to playing Junior A hockey with the Nanaimo Clippers – a move which preserved his NCAA eligibility.

“It was kind of gratifying in a way,” says Olson of Prince George’s offer. “They were accepting me and giving me the attention, but they didn’t want me before, so I didn’t want them then. I was just happy that I was finally wanted.”

Olson describes his time with the Clippers as “three of the best years of his life.” In his three seasons with Nanaimo, Olson was named the team’s Most Popular Player all three years (a title picked up last year by now-SCSU first year player A.J. Gale), splitting the title of Most Exciting Player in his first season and being named the Most Valuable Player in 2005, his final season, and most notably was named the National Junior A Player of the Year – quite the prestigious honor for the player who was supposed to be too small in bantams.

Coming to St. Cloud
Olson’s recruitment to St. Cloud State was a bit on the unconventional side.

“I flew down in August, I never got to see a game, never got to experience the game atmosphere, I met [Justin] Fletcher and a couple of the guys but didn’t get to meet much of the team. Most guys come down during the season, see a game, meet the whole team.

“I could still see that it would be a great program and a great fit just by seeing the community and the people at the school, especially [assistant coach] Fred Harbinson. I didn’t have to see a game to know that I wanted to come here.

“Minnesota’s actually very similar to Saskatchewan. Everyone’s so friendly. They’ll say ‘hi’ to you when they see you on the street.”

He quickly found out about the difference between junior hockey and Division I college hockey, especially in the WCHA. Even as a 21-year-old freshman, adapting to the NCAA was a challenge.

“It was a big step. The game was almost totally different from what I was used to and the adjustment period was pretty long – it wasn’t until after Christmas that I felt really comfortable with the style of play.

“Everybody’s good. In juniors you have your top six forwards that are pretty good, your third line can play, and then your fourth line and the rest of your roster are mostly just filling jerseys. Here, if you make a mistake, every line can hurt you. That was the biggest adjustment for me.”

Olson definitely got the opportunity to grow during his first season with the Huskies. He appeared in 37 of the team’s 42 games, scoring 6 goals – including 2 big shorthanded goals – and adding 3 assists in a solid opening season which earned him the Roland Vandell Award as SCSU’s most outstanding freshman. “Coach Motzko gave me a fair shake. I didn’t expect to be able to play that many games just coming in.”

Despite the adjustment period, Olson began impressing right from the start. He scored the Huskies’ first home goal of the season, a shorthanded goal in the second period against eventual national champions Wisconsin.

“My dad was at the game. To score it with him there in front of such a great atmosphere was pretty cool.” His other short-handed goal was just as exciting and even more important. “Scoring the game winner in game one of the playoffs at Colorado College, that was fairly special too.”

Later in that same game, Olson was awarded a penalty shot after being hauled down on the breakaway.

“I think that was my first ever career penalty shot in a game situation. I missed wide, but it was a new experience. You always wish you could do better when you don’t score, especially since it could have really clinched the game, but it was pretty neat and we won anyway, so it’s alright.

“It was great just being a part of the team that could do things like sweeping North Dakota in their barn and going all the way to the championship at the Final Five. It was quite a year last year and it was a lot of fun.”

Inspiration
A lifelong Montreal Canadiens fan, Olson cites Habs captain Saku Koivu as one of his heroes, especially considering Koivu’s personal story.

Entering his eighth season as the captain of the Canadiens, Koivu was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2001, making a seemingly miraculous recovery and rejoining the team in time to lead a playoff upset in 2002. Then, in April 2006, Koivu took a stick to the eye, which led to some minor sight problems and even the development of a cataract.

“It’s good to see a guy who’s gone through a lot in his life battle through – overcoming cancer and now a significant eye injury to continue to lead his team, it shows how dedicated he is and how much he loves the game and what he does for a living. He’s one of the better leaders in the NHL – not as much of a standout big name captain, but for what he’s accomplished and overcome, it helps make him one of the best.”

This past summer, Olson trained in British Columbia with another player who has fought cancer – Kirk MacDonald, who is returning from his fight with testicular cancer to lead Rensselaer of the ECACHL as their captain for his senior season.

“He worked really hard this summer,” says Olson. “We trained with one of my old coaches from Nanaimo. I never really knew his story until I met him. It’s inspiring to see a guy work hard for something that he wants against such devastating odds. He’s been through a lot. It’s a remarkable story, and it’ll be good to see him in Vermont.”

St. Cloud State and Rensselaer will both compete in the Sheraton/TD Banknorth Tournament in Burlington, Vermont during the December holiday season.

The Future
Olson hopes to continue playing the game for as long as he can.

“I’d love to play hockey for a living. To be able to make good money playing the game I love would be amazing. It would give me the opportunity to really give back to my family for all of the support they gave me throughout the years – waking up at 6 o’clock for a 7 a.m. practice, coming to games all over the country and driving to St. Cloud to see me play. It would be a tribute to all the programs I’ve played with over the years too.

“Even if I can’t play, I still want to be involved with the game in some way, whether it’s as a coach, as a PR guy, anything. Hockey’s what I know, it’s in my blood.”

His immediate future, however, is here at St. Cloud State, as he embarks upon his sophomore season with high hopes and increasing expectations.

“I’m excited, and the guys are excited. We want to recapture the excitement from last year and make this year even better.”

2006-07 New Standard of Play and Rules Emphasis
Through the new standard of rules enforcement, our game, much like the National Hockey League, will continue to allow the opportunity for improved skill development and a more positive hockey environment for all participants. The mission of USA Hockey is clear; through this new initiative a greater emphasis will be placed on skating, puck possession and the proper use of the body to establish position and a competitive advantage.

The goal of the enforcement standard is to reduce restraining infractions in the game and not to remove legal body
checking or body contact. A hard body check or using body contact/position (non-checking classifications) to gain a
competitive advantage over the opponent should not be penalized as long as it is performed within the rules.

The principles of this new enforcement standard include the following:
· The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.
· The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player’s progress.
· The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player’s progress.
· Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation and have a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as
a result of illegal acts by the opponent.
· Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.
Enforcement Standard – These penalties are to be called with very strict enforcement

HOOKING
· A player cannot use his/her stick against an opponent’s body (puck carrier or non-puck carrier) to gain a positional
advantage. Examples include:
- tugs or pulls on the body, arms or hands of the opponent which allows for the space between the players to diminish
- placing the stick in front of the opponent’s body and locking on – impeding the opponent’s progress or causing a loss of
balance.
- stick on the hand/arm that takes away the ability for the opponent to pass or shoot the puck with a normal amount of force

TRIPPING
· A player cannot use his/her stick on the legs or feet of an opponent in a manner that would cause a loss of balance or for
them to trip or fall. Examples include:
- placing the stick in front of the opponent’s legs for the purpose of impeding progress, even if on the ice, with no effort to
legally play the puck
- placing the stick between the legs of the opponent (can opener/corkscrew) that causes a loss of balance or impedes the
progress of the opponent.

HOLDING
· A player cannot wrap his/her arms around an opponent or use a free hand to clutch, grab or hold the stick, jersey or body
on the opponent in a manner that impedes their progress. Examples include:
- wrapping one or both arms around the opponent along the boards in a manner that pins them against the boards and
prevents them from playing the puck or skating
- grabbing the opponent’s body, stick or sweater with one or both hands
- using a free arm/hand to restrain or impede the opponent’s progress

INTERFERENCE
· A player cannot use his/her body (“pick” or “block”) to impede the progress of an opponent with no effort to play the puck,
maintain normal foot speed or established skating lane. Examples include:
- intentionally playing the body of an opponent who does not have possession or possession and control of the puck.
- using the body to establish a ”pick” or “block” that prevents an opponent from being able to chase a puck carrier
- reducing foot speed or changing an established skating lane for the purpose of impeding an opponent from being able to
chase a puck carrier

· Allowed Actions
- a player is entitled to the ice he/she occupies as long as they are able to maintain their own foot speed and body position
between opponent and puck
- players are allowed to compete for body position using their strength and balance in front of the goal or along the boards

SLASHING
· The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck. Any stick contact, as a result of a slashing motion, to the
hands/ arms or body of the opponent will be strictly penalized. In addition, hard slashes to the upper portion of the stick (just
below the hands) of an opponent, with no attempt to legally play the puck, shall also be penalized.

OTHER INFRACTIONS
· In addition to the above mentioned enforcement standards, all other infractions, including contact to the head, checking
from behind, cross checking, high sticking and roughing (including late avoidable checks) shall be penalized to a strict
enforcement standard.

CONCLUSION
All members of USA Hockey share an equal responsibility to ensure the integrity of the game is upheld. The onus to
incorporate change is not only on the officials, but also on administrators, coaches, parents and players, as well.
Administrators are expected to hold players, coaches, officials and parents accountable for their actions in an effort to
promote a safe and positive environment for all participants.
Coaches are expected to teach proper skills and hold their players accountable for illegal and dangerous actions,
regardless as to whether they are properly penalized, or not.
Parents are expected to support the decisions of the officials and support the coaches in teaching the proper skills in a safe
and positive environment.
Officials shall enforce a strict penalty standard according to the guidelines that have been established.
Players are expected to compete within the playing rules.
All USA Hockey members must demonstrate awareness and support for the application, spirit and the respect of
the rules in order for continued improvement in the game of hockey.

Fri 10/13/2006 Denver 7:05 CT
Sat 10/14/2006 Denver 7:05 CT

Fri 10/20/2006 @ Minnesota State 7:35 CT
Sat 10/21/2006 Minnesota State 7:05 CT

Fri 11/03/2006 @ North Dakota 7:35 CT
Sat 11/04/2006 @ North Dakota 7:05 CT

Fri 11/10/2006 @ Minnesota 7:05 CT
Sat 11/11/2006 Minnesota 7:05 CT

Fri 11/17/2006 Clarkson (nc) 7:05 CT
Sat 11/18/2006 Clarkson (nc) 7:05 CT

Fri 11/24/2006 @ Minnesota-Duluth 7:05 CT
Sat 11/25/2006 @ Minnesota-Duluth 7:05 CT

Fri 12/01/2006 @ Michigan Tech 7:05 ET
Sat 12/02/2006 @ Michigan Tech 7:05 ET

Fri 12/08/2006 Colgate (nc) 7:05 CT
Sat 12/09/2006 Colgate (nc) 7:05 CT

Fri 12/29/2006 vs Union (nc) 4:00 ET (1)
Sat 12/30/2006 vs RPI/Vermont (nc) 4:00/7:00 ET (1)

Fri 01/05/2007 Alaska-Anchorage 7:05 CT
Sat 01/06/2007 Alaska-Anchorage 7:05 CT

Fri 01/12/2007 Minnesota State 7:05 CT
Sat 01/13/2007 @ Minnesota State 7:05 CT

Fri 01/19/2007 Minnesota-Duluth 7:05 CT
Sat 01/20/2007 Minnesota-Duluth 7:05 CT

Fri 01/26/2007 @ Denver 7:35 MT
Sat 01/27/2007 @ Denver 7:05 MT

Fri 02/09/2007 Colorado College 7:05 CT
Sat 02/10/2007 Colorado College 7:05 CT

Fri 02/16/2007 @ Wisconsin 7:05 CT
Sat 02/17/2007 @ Wisconsin 7:05 CT

Fri 02/23/2007 Minnesota 7:05 CT
Sat 02/24/2007 @ Minnesota 7:05 CT

Fri 03/02/2007 North Dakota 7:05 CT
Sat 03/03/2007 North Dakota 7:05 CT

Fri, Oct 06 Maine at St. Paul, Minn. 7:07 p.m.


Sun, Oct 08 Lethbridge Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m. (exh.)
Fri, Oct 13 Wayne State Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Oct 14 Wayne State Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Oct 20 Ohio State at Columbus, Ohio 6:05 p.m.
Sat, Oct 21 Ohio State at Columbus, Ohio 7:05 p.m.
Fri, Oct 27 Colorado College * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Oct 28 Colorado College * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Nov 03 Minnesota Duluth * at Duluth, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Nov 04 Minnesota Duluth * at Duluth, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Nov 10 St. Cloud State * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Nov 11 St. Cloud State * at St. Cloud, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Nov 18 Wisconsin * Mariucci Arena 6:07 p.m.
Sun, Nov 19 Wisconsin * Mariucci Arena 6:07 p.m.
College Hockey Showcase

Fri, Nov 24 Michigan State Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Nov 25 Michigan Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.


Fri, Dec 01 Minnesota State * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Dec 02 Minnesota State * at Mankato, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Dec 08 Michigan Tech * at Houghton, Mich. 6:07 p.m.
Sat, Dec 09 Michigan Tech * at Houghton, Mich. 6:07 p.m.
Dodge Holiday Classic

Fri, Dec 29 Ferris State vs. UMass at Mariucci Arena 4:07 p.m.
Fri, Dec 29 Alabama-Huntsville Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Dec 30 Alabama-Huntsville vs. Ferris State/UMass at Mariucci Arena 4:07 p.m.
Sat, Dec 30 Ferris State/UMass Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.


Fri, Jan 05 Minnesota State * at Mankato, Minn. 7:37 p.m.
Sun, Jan 07 Minnesota State * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Jan 12 Wisconsin * at Madison, Wis. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Jan 13 Wisconsin * at Madison, Wis. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Jan 19 Denver * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Jan 20 Denver * Mariucci Arena 5:37 p.m.
Fri, Jan 26 North Dakota * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Jan 27 North Dakota * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Feb 02 Alaska Anchorage * at Anchorage, Alaska 10:07 p.m.
Sat, Feb 03 Alaska Anchorage * at Anchorage, Alaska 10:07 p.m.
Fri, Feb 16 Colorado College * at Colorado Springs, Colo. 8:37 p.m.
Sat, Feb 17 Colorado College * at Colorado Springs, Colo. 8:07 p.m.
Fri, Feb 23 St. Cloud State * at St. Cloud, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Feb 24 St. Cloud State * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Mar 02 Michigan Tech * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Mar 03 Michigan Tech * Mariucci Arena 7:07 p.m.
WCHA First Round

Fri, Mar 09 TBD TBD TBA
Sat, Mar 10 TBD TBD TBA
Sun, Mar 11 TBD TBD TBA


WCHA Final Five

Thu, Mar 15 No. 5 vs. No. 4 at St. Paul, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Mar 16 Semifinal #1 at St. Paul, Minn. 2:07 p.m.
Fri, Mar 16 Semifinal #2 at St. Paul, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Mar 17 Third Place Game at St. Paul, Minn. 2:07 p.m.
Sat, Mar 17 Championship Game at St. Paul, Minn. 7:07 p.m.


NCAA Regional

Fri, Mar 23 TBD at TBD TBA
Sat, Mar 24 TBD at TBD TBA
Sun, Mar 25 TBD at TBD TBA


NCAA Frozen Four

Thu, Apr 05 National Semifinal #2 at St. Louis, Mo. TBA
Thu, Apr 05 National Semifinal #1 at St. Louis, Mo. TBA
Sat, Apr 07 National Championship Game at St. Louis, Mo. TBA

* Conference Games

August 17

With the departure of center Phil Kessel to the Boston Bruins, the University of Minnesota men’s hockey program has announced that Jay Barriball (Prior Lake, Minn.) will join the Golden Gophers beginning with the 2006-07 season. Barriball has signed a national letter of intent to play for Minnesota.

A 5-9, 155-pound forward, Barriball joins the Golden Gophers from the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minn., and the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Following his prep career last winter, Barriball joined the Stampede, scoring five goals and seven assists in 13 games to help the team to a second-place finish in the Clark Cup Finals.

In his senior season at Holy Angels, Barriball compiled totals of 28-38--66 in 25 games to finish 18th in the state in scoring. He finished second on the team in points, helped the Stars to a 23-2-2 record and was named a Minnesota Mr. Hockey finalist. During his junior season, Barriball finished fifth in the state in scoring with 32-49--81 and led Holy Angels to a 26-3-1 record and the 2005 Minnesota State Class AA championship. Barriball was a teammate at Holy Angels with current and future Golden Gophers Mike Carman, Jeff Frazee and Erik Johnson.

At the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Barriball was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round with the 203rd overall pick.

Also joining Barriball as freshmen for the Golden Gophers this fall will be forwards Mike Carman, Ryan Flynn, Tony Lucia, Jim O’Brien and Kyle Okposo, and defensemen David Fischer, Erik Johnson and Brian Schack.

Courtesy of U of M Media Relations

Aug. 17

Golden Gopher center Phil Kessel announced today that we would forgo his final three years of college eligibility and has signed a professional contract with the Boston Bruins. Kessel joins forwards Ryan Potulny, Danny Irmen and Kris Chucko as Golden Gophers with remaining eligibility to sign a professional contract during this offseason.

The deal reportedly includes a $850,000 salary and incentives that could bring the total deal to more than $2 million annually.

“Phil was immediately an impact player in our program and was a major reason we were able to win the WCHA Championship last season,” Golden Gopher Head Coach Don Lucia said. “He is certainly one of the most talented players I have ever had the privilege of coaching. It is always bittersweet when a player leaves our program, but there is no doubt in my mind that Phil will have a terrific career in the NHL. I wish him a lot of success at the next level.”

A 6-0, 190-pound center, Kessel was named the 2005-06 WCHA Rookie of the Year and the Inside College Hockey Rookie of the Year, in addition to his WCHA All-Rookie Team honor. The nation’s top recruit a year ago, Kessel was second on the team in scoring (18-33--51) and ranked first in the WCHA in freshman scoring and freshman points-per-game (1.31), fourth in assists and assists per game (0.85), fifth in points per game and power-play points (10-17--27), sixth in points, seventh in power-play goals (10), 11th in game-winning goals (3), and 13th in goals and goals per game (0.46). His 51 points and points-per-game average ranked first in the nation among rookies. He ranked 13th in the nation among all players in points.

This past May, Kessel represented Team USA at the IIHF World Championships in Riga, Latvia. Kessel had one goal and one assist in seven games as Team USA finished the tournament with an overall record of 4-3-0.

Kessel was the fifth overall pick by the Boston Bruins in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the third Golden Gopher in the last four years to be taken with the fifth overall selection after Thomas Vanek by Buffalo in 2003 and Blake Wheeler by Phoenix in 2004. For more information on Kessel’s signing, visit the official website of the Boston Bruins at www.bostonbruins.com.

Stats
University of Minnesota
Year GP G A TP P-PIM PP GW SH HT
05-06 39 18 33 51 14-28 10 3 1 0

U.S. National Team Development Program
Year GP G A TP PIM
03-04 (U18) 62 52 30 82 26
04-05 (U18) 45 52 46 98 35
Total 107 104 76 180 61

Madison Capitols (Bantam/Midget)
Year GP G A TP
01-02 86 176 110 286
02-03 71 113 45 158
Total 157 289 155 444

2006 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Division I Home Attendance

Institution Total Attend. Home Games Avg. Attend.
1. Wisconsin 270,228 20 13,511
2. North Dakota 261,875 24 10,911
3. Minnesota 220,903 22 10,041
4. Colorado Col. 154,590 23 6,721
5. Michigan 140,350 21 6,683
6. New Hampshire 118,627 19 6,243
7. St. Cloud St. 109,975 18 6,109
8. Denver 118,331 20 5,916
9. Boston College 100,191 17 5,893
10. Boston U. 100,248 18 5,569
11. Neb.-Omaha 116,318 21 5,538
12. Ohio St. 109,576 20 5,478
13. Maine 107,696 20 5,384
14. Michigan St. 106,652 21 5,078
15. Minn. Duluth 89,271 18 4,959
16. Massachusetts 70,630 16 4,414
17. Dartmouth 64,260 16 4,016
18. Vermont 72,054 18 4,003
19. Alas. Fairbanks 62,418 16 3,901
20. Cornell 65,212 17 3,836
21. Alas. Anchorage 64,999 18 3,611
22. Minn. St. Mankato 64,177 18 3,565
23. Rensselaer 65,413 20 3,270
24. Northern Mich. 67,659 21 3,221
25. Yale 43,332 14 3,095
26. Mass.-Lowell 48,760 16 3,047
27. Northeastern 39,906 14 2,850
28. Western Mich. 47,178 17 2,775
29. Miami (Ohio) 47,768 18 2,653
30. Michigan Tech 41,810 17 2,459
31. Providence 41,451 17 2,438
32. Clarkson 42,554 18 2,364
33. Bowling Green 47,165 20 2,358
34. St. Lawrence 42,257 18 2,347
35. Harvard 34,132 15 2,275
36. Lake Superior St. 41,346 19 2,176
37. Notre Dame 40,080 19 2,109
38. Army 33,849 17 1,991
39. Princeton 27,492 14 1,963
40. Ala.-Huntsville 23,268 12 1,939
41. Quinnipiac 30,005 16 1,875
42. Colgate 36,104 20 1,805
43. Bemidji St. 25,968 15 1,731
44. Merrimack 27,533 16 1,720
45. Union (N.Y.) 32,547 19 1,713
46. Ferris St. 30,030 18 1,668
47. Air Force 20,668 13 1,589
48. Brown 11,406 9 1,267
49. Holy Cross 18,198 16 1,137
50. Niagara 17,461 16 1,091
51. Mercyhurst 15,184 18 843
52. Connecticut 10,866 14 776
53. Robert Morris 8,556 16 534
54. Wayne St. (Mich.) 6,902 13 530
55. Sacred Heart 6,652 15 443
56. Bentley 5,577 17 328
57. Canisius 5,085 16 317
58. American Int'l 3,409 16 213
NR* Rochester Inst. 18,949 12 1,579
reclassifying to DI

July 12

The Minnesota Wild’s 2006-07 regular season schedule was released today. The Wild will open the season at Xcel Energy Center for the second consecutive season on Thursday, October 5 at 7:30 PM against the Colorado Avalanche to start a five-game homestand.

The 2006-07 schedule consists of 82 games – 41 at Xcel Energy Center and 41 road contests. The Wild’s home schedule features 19 weekend games (five on Friday, 11 on Saturday and three on Sunday) and three afternoon contests (Friday, November 24, Sunday, February 2 and Sunday, March 11). Most evening games at Xcel Energy Center will begin at 7:00 PM.

Minnesota will play each member of the Northwest Division (Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton and Vancouver) eight times (four times at home and four times on the road) for a total of 32 games. In addition, the club will play the remaining members of the Western Conference’s Pacific Division (Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Jose) and Central Division (Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville and St. Louis) four times each (twice at home and twice on the road) for a total of 40 games.

The Wild will play 10 games against the Eastern Conference this season, facing each team in the Northeast and Southeast Division once. Minnesota will visit each club in the Northeast Division (Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto), host each team in the Southeast Division (Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay and Washington) and will not face the Atlantic Division (New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) this season.

Popular out-of-town team visits at Xcel Energy Center include: the Calgary Flames (Dec. 7, Jan. 16, Mar. 27, Mar. 29), the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes (Feb. 10), the Chicago Blackhawks (Dec. 5, Dec. 9), the Colorado Avalanche (Oct. 5, Nov. 18, Jan. 6, Mar. 11), the Dallas Stars (Jan. 20, Feb. 20), the Detroit Red Wings (Dec. 1, Dec. 23), the Edmonton Oilers (Jan. 16, Feb. 25, Apr. 3, Apr. 5) and the Vancouver Canucks (Oct. 10, Nov. 11, Dec. 19, Feb. 14).

The 2006-07 All-Star Game will be held at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, January 24.

The Wild’s longest homestand is five games (three times): Oct. 5 – 14 against Colorado, Nashville, Vancouver, Washington and Columbus, Dec. 29 - Jan. 6 against Columbus, Anaheim, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Colorado, and Mar. 20 - 29 against Phoenix, St. Louis, Los Angeles and Calgary (twice). The club has two five-game road trips on its schedule: Nov. 7 – 16 at San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix and Nashville and Jan. 27 – Feb. 6 at Columbus, St. Louis, Colorado, Phoenix and Dallas. Minnesota concludes the regular season with a three-game homestand against Edmonton (twice) and St. Louis (Apr 3-7).

Preseason single-game tickets will go on sale Saturday, August 26. Regular season single-game tickets will go on sale on Saturday, September 16. For more information please contact the Minnesota Wild at (651) 222-WILD (9453).

2006-07 MINNESOTA WILD SCHEDULE NOTES

Home Games By Day: Mon. – 0, Tue. – 10, Wed. – 3, Thur. – 9, Fri. – 5, Sat. – 11, Sun. – 3
Road Games By Day: Mon. – 1, Tue. – 8, Wed. – 4, Thur. – 8, Fri. – 5, Sat. – 10, Sun. – 5

Home Games By Month: Oct. – 7, Nov. – 5, Dec. – 8, Jan. – 6, Feb. – 5, Mar. – 7, Apr. – 3
Road Games By Month: Oct. – 4, Nov. – 8, Dec. – 7, Jan. – 7, Feb. – 7, Mar. – 8, Apr. – 0

Games By Conference/Division
Western Conference: Central Division (20) Northwest Division (32) Pacific Division (20)

Eastern Conference: Atlantic Division (0) Northeast Division (5) Southeast Division (5)

Opponents Visits To Minnesota (41): Anaheim-2, Atlanta-1, Boston-0, Buffalo-0, Calgary-4, Carolina-1, Chicago-2, Colorado-4, Columbus-2, Dallas-2, Detroit-2, Edmonton-4, Florida-1, Los Angeles-2, Montreal-0, Nashville-2, New Jersey-0, New York Islanders-0, New York Rangers-0, Ottawa-0, Philadelphia-0, Phoenix-2, Pittsburgh-0, St. Louis-2, San Jose-2, Tampa Bay-1, Toronto-0, Vancouver-4, Washington-1

Wild Visits To Road Cities (41): Anaheim-2, Atlanta-0, Boston-1, Buffalo-1, Calgary-4, Carolina-0, Chicago-2, Colorado-4, Columbus-2, Dallas-2, Detroit-2, Edmonton-4, Florida-0, Los Angeles-2, Montreal-1, Nashville-2, New Jersey-0, New York Islanders-0, New York Rangers-0, Ottawa-1, Philadelphia-0, Phoenix-2, Pittsburgh-0, St. Louis-2, San Jose-2, Tampa Bay-0, Toronto-1, Vancouver-4, Washington-0

After The All-Star Break – Minnesota will have 33 games remaining on its schedule, including 17 road games and 16 home contests. The Wild will play 17 of their remaining 33 games following the All-Star Break against teams from the Northwest Division.

Longest Homestand: 5 games (three times):
Oct. 5 –14: against Colorado, Nashville, Vancouver, Washington and Columbus
Dec. 29 – Jan. 6: against Columbus, Anaheim, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Colorado
Mar. 20 – 29: against Phoenix, St. Louis, Los Angeles and Calgary (twice)

Longest Road Trip: 5 games (twice)
Nov. 7 – 16: at San Jose, at Los Angeles, at Anaheim, at Phoenix and at Nashville
Jan. 27 – Feb. 6: at Columbus, at St. Louis, at Colorado, at Phoenix and at Dallas

Back-To-Back Games:
Overall: 12 (15 last season)
Back-to-back at home: 0 Road game followed by home game next day: 2
Back-to-back on road: 7 Home game followed by road game next day: 3

Length of 2006-07 Season: - 185 days (October 5 – April 7), 8 days shorter than 2005-06 season

MINNESOTA WILD 2006-2007 SEASON SCHEDULE

DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME (CDT)
SEPTEMBER – PRESEASON
TUE. 19 DETROIT 7:00 P.M.
THUR. 21 ST. LOUIS 7:00 P.M.
Sun. 24 @ Chicago 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 27 @ Detroit 6:30 p.m.
Thur. 28 @ St. Louis 7:00 p.m.
SAT. 30 CHICAGO 7:00 P.M.

OCTOBER – REGULAR SEASON
THUR. 5 COLORADO 7:30 P.M.
SAT. 7 NASHVILLE 7:00 P.M.
TUE. 10 VANCOUVER 8:00 P.M.
THUR. 12 WASHINGTON 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 14 COLUMBUS 7:00 P.M.
Wed. 18 @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m.
Fri. 20 @ Anaheim 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 21 @ San Jose 9:30 p.m.
WED. 25 LOS ANGELES 7:00 P.M.
FRI. 27 ANAHEIM 7:00 P.M.
Sun. 29 @ Colorado 7:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER
THUR. 2 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 4 NASHVILLE 7:00 P.M.
Tue. 7 @ San Jose 9:30 p.m.
Sat. 11 @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m.
Sun. 12 @ Anaheim 7:00 p.m.
Tue. 14 @ Phoenix 8:00 p.m.
Thur. 16 @ Nashville 7:00 p.m.
SAT. 18 COLORADO 7:00 P.M.
Mon. 20 @ Ottawa 6:30 p.m.
Wed. 22 @ Montreal 6:30 p.m.
FRI. 24 PHOENIX 1:00 P.M.
Sat. 25 @ Columbus 6:00 p.m.
WED. 29 SAN JOSE 7:00 P.M.

DECEMBER
FRI. 1 DETROIT 7:00 P.M.
Sat. 2 @ Dallas 7:00 p.m.
TUE. 5 CHICAGO 7:00 P.M.
THUR. 7 CALGARY 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 9 CHICAGO 7:00 P.M.
Tue. 12 @ Calgary 8:00 p.m.
Thur. 14 @ Edmonton 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 16 @ Vancouver 9:00 p.m.
TUE. 19 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M.
Fri. 22 @ Detroit 6:30 p.m.
SAT. 23 DETROIT 7:00 P.M.
Tue. 26 @ Toronto 6:30 p.m.
Wed. 27 @ Detroit 6:30 p.m.
FRI. 29 COLUMBUS 7:00 P.M.
SUN. 31 ANAHEIM 5:00 P.M.

DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME (CDT)
JANUARY
TUE. 2 ATLANTA 7:00 P.M.
THUR. 4 TAMPA BAY 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 6 COLORADO 7:00 P.M.
Tue. 9 @ Calgary 8:00 p.m.
Thur. 11 @ Vancouver 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 12 @ Edmonton 8:00 p.m.
Sun. 14 @ Chicago 6:00 p.m.
TUE. 16 EDMONTON 7:00 P.M.
Fri. 19 @ Chicago 7:30 p.m.
SAT. 20 DALLAS 7:00 P.M.
Wed. 24 ALL-STAR GAME (Dallas, TX) TBA
FRI. 26 CALGARY 7:00 P.M.
Sat. 27 @ Columbus 6:00 p.m.
Tue. 30 @ St. Louis 7:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY
Thur. 1 @ Colorado 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 3 @ Phoenix 8:00 p.m.
Tue. 6 @ Dallas 7:00 p.m.
THUR. 8 FLORIDA 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 10 CAROLINA 7:00 P.M.
WED. 14 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M.
Sat. 17 @ Nashville 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 18 @ St. Louis 5:00 p.m.
TUE. 20 DALLAS 7:00 P.M.
Thur. 22 @ Colorado 8:00 p.m.
SUN. 25 EDMONTON 1:00 P.M.
Wed. 28 @ Calgary 8:00 p.m.

MARCH
Thur. 1 @ Edmonton 8:00 p.m.
Sun. 4 @ Vancouver 9:00 p.m.
TUE. 6 SAN JOSE 7:00 P.M.
Thur. 8 @ Boston 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 9 @ Buffalo 7:00 p.m.
SUN. 11 COLORADO 2:00 P.M.
Tue. 13 @ Vancouver 9:00 p.m.
Thur. 15 @ Edmonton 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 17 @ Calgary 8:00 p.m.
TUE. 20 PHOENIX 7:00 P.M.
THUR. 22 ST. LOUIS 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 24 LOS ANGELES 7:00 P.M.
TUE. 27 CALGARY 7:00 P.M.
THUR. 29 CALGARY 7:00 P.M.
Sat. 31 @ Colorado 2:00 p.m.

APRIL
TUE. 3 EDMONTON 7:00 P.M.
THUR. 5 EDMONTON 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 7 ST. LOUIS 7:00 P.M.

June 27

The Minnesota State men's hockey team is slated to play 18 home regular season games in 2006-07 as the University formally announced its schedule today.

North Dakota, which captured the Final Five championship and made an appearance in NCAA Frozen Four last year, will be a home opponent for the Mavericks this season. Minnesota, the WCHA regular season champion, and Colorado College made NCAA postseason tournament appearances and will travel to Mankato for the 2006-07 season, as well.

The Mavericks are slated to kick-off their schedule Oct. 7 in an exhibition game against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

MSU begins regular-season action the following weekend with a non-conference split series with Notre Dame. Following opening conference action against St. Cloud State Oct. 20-21, the Mavericks host WCHA defending playoff champions North Dakota. The Mavericks are scheduled to take on Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 17-18. After a non-conference game against Nebraska-Omaha on Nov. 21 in Mankato, MSU will travel to Minneapolis to play the University of Minnesota on Dec. 1, then back to the Midwest Wireless Center Dec. 2 to play the Gophers at home. The Mavericks continue conference play with a series at Denver Dec. 8-9, then a home series against Minnesota-Duluth Dec. 15-16. After two weeks off for Christmas, MSU will play Yale and Princeton Universities Dec. 29-30. Conference play resumes Jan. 5-7 with a Friday-Sunday series with Minnesota and Jan. 12-13 with St. Cloud State. The Mavericks are in non-conference action Tuesday, Jan. 16 at UNO. MSU will make a road trip to Madison, Wis., Jan. 26-27, to play the NCAA Division I defending champions. The remaining conference schedule consists of WCHA games with MSU at UND Feb. 9-10, at Alaska Anchorage Feb. 16-17 and hosts Colorado College Feb. 23-24.

Single-game tickets will be available at the beginning of October. Season tickets are now on sale. For more information on the season ticket packages, please call MSU Athletics at (507) 389-6111 during regular business hours.

2006-07 Minnesota State Men’s Hockey Schedule
Date Opponent Site Time
Oct. 7 Lethbridge# Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Oct. 12 Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. 7:37
Oct. 14 Notre Dame Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Oct. 20 St. Cloud State* Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Oct. 21 St. Cloud State* St. Cloud, Minn. 7:07
Oct. 27 North Dakota* Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Oct. 28 North Dakota* Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Nov. 3 Bemidji State Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Nov. 4 Bemidji State Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Nov. 10 Alaska Anchorage* Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Nov. 11 Alaska Anchorage* Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Nov. 17 Colorado College* Colorado Springs, Colo. 7:37
Nov. 18 Colorado College* Colorado Springs, Colo. 7:07
Nov. 21 Nebraska-Omaha Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Dec. 1 Minnesota* Minneapolis, Minn. 7:07
Dec. 2 Minnesota* Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Dec. 8 Denver* Denver, Colo. 7:37
Dec. 9 Denver* Denver, Colo. 7:07
Dec. 15 Minnesota-Duluth* Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Dec. 16 Minnesota-Duluth* Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Dec. 29 Yale New Haven, Conn. TBA
Dec. 31 Princeton Princeton, N.J. TBA
Jan. 5 Minnesota* Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Jan. 7 Minnesota* Minneapolis, Minn. 7:07
Jan. 12 St. Cloud State* St. Cloud, Minn. 7:37
Jan. 13 St. Cloud State* Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Jan. 16 Nebraska-Omaha Omaha, Neb. 7:07
Jan. 26 Wisconsin* Madison, Wis. 7:37
Jan. 27 Wisconsin* Madison, Wis. 7:07
Feb. 2 Michigan Tech* Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Feb. 3 Michigan Tech* Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Feb. 9 North Dakota* Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37
Feb. 10 North Dakota* Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07
Feb. 16 Alaska Anchorage* Anchorage, Alaska 7:37
Feb. 17 Alaska Anchorage* Anchorage, Alaska 7:07
Feb. 23 Colorado College* Mankato, Minn. 7:37
Feb. 24 Colorado College* Mankato, Minn. 7:07
Mar. 9-11 WCHA Play-offs (1st round) High seed TBA
Mar. 15-17 WCHA Final Five St. Paul, Minn. TBA
Mar. 23-25 NCAA Regionals TBA TBA
April 5-7 NCAA Frozen Four St. Louis, MO. TBA

*Western Collegiate Hockey Association game
#Exhibition game
Please note that information is subject to change.
All times are local.

USA Hockey Report:

It was a banner day for hockey in the United States as 10 Americans were chosen in the first round of the National Hockey League Entry Draft at GM Place in Vancouver, including defenseman Erik Johnson (Bloomington, Minn.), who the St. Louis Blues took with the number one pick overall.

"It's a testament to everyone involved in hockey in our country," said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey, "We continue to do a better job at developing players from the grassroots level right on up."

Johnson was the fifth American-born player to be selected with the first pick, joining Brian Lawton (1983/Minnesota North Stars), Mike Modano (1988/Minnesota North Stars), Brian Berard (1995/Ottawa Senators) and Rick DiPietro (2000/New Yorks Islanders).

"It's a honor to be selected first," said Johnson, who was one of a record six first-round selections that have ties to USA Hockey's highly-acclaimed National Team Developmoent Program. "It's really a special day, one that I'll never forget."

Three other American-born players were among the first 10 picks overall, including Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis.), who was chosen with the fifth pick by the Boston Bruins; Kyle Okposo (St. Paul, Minn.), taken seventh by the New York Islanders and Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn.), who went eighth to the Phoenix Coyotes.

Other American-born first-rounders included Trevor Lewis (Salt Lake City, Utah), who Los Angeles took with the 17th pick; Mark Mitera (Royal Oak, Mich.), who was taken with the 19th pick by Anaheim; David Fischer, Minneapolis, Minn.), who went to Montreal with the 20th pick; Bobby Sanguinetti (Trenton, N.J.), who was chosen by the New York Rangers with the 21st pick; Nick Foligno (Buffalo, N.Y.), who went to Ottawa with the 28th choice; and Chris Summers (Ann Arbor, Mich.), who Phoenix used its 29th pick to acquire.

Notes: The previous record for American players taken in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft was eight, established in 2005 ... A total of 18 American-born players were taken in the first two rounds of the NHL Entry Draft ... A record six players that have played in USA Hockey's National Team Development Program were chosen in the first round ... Of the 213 players selected in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, 59 (28%) were American-born ... The 10 American-born players chosen in the first round were second only to draft-host
nation Canada (11).

The Minnesota Wild selected seven players today in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft at General Motors Place in Vancouver, B.C. With the ninth overall pick in the draft, the Wild selected C James Sheppard from Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

“James is a solid two-way player that is very responsible on the ice and has good hockey sense,” said Wild Assistant General Manager/Player Personnel Tom Thompson. “He is big, strong and has the skills to become a reliable NHL player.”

Minnesota selected C Ondrej Fiala (pronounced andre FEE-allah) in the second round (40th overall) from the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League (WHL), RW Cal Clutterbuck in the third round (72nd overall) from the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), D Kyle Medvec in the fourth round (102nd overall) from Apple Valley (MN) High School, G Niko Hovinen in the fifth round (132nd overall) from Jokerit Jr. of the Finnish Jr. League, F Julian Walker in the sixth round (162nd overall) from Basel of the Swiss League and RW Chris Hickey in the seventh round (192nd overall) from Cretin Derham Hall (MN) High School.

The Wild also acquired RW Pavol Demitra from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a first round pick (No. 17) and C Patrick O’Sullivan.

Sheppard, 18 (4/25/88), tallied 84 points (30-54=84) in 66 games last season for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL. The 6-foot-1, 204-pound center was selected to the 2005-06 QMJHL All-Star Team and was a member of Team Canada at the 2005 Under-18 Junior World Cup. The native of Halifax, Nova Scotia ranked No. 9 among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Service final rankings.

JAMES SHEPPARD’S STATISTICS

Season Club League GP G A PTS PIM

2005-06 Cape Breton QMJHL 66 30 54 84 78

Fiala, 18 (11/4/87),