2011 NHL Draft at Xcel Energy Center

On June 24, 2011 I had the privilege of attending the 2011 NHL Draft at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. By all accounts, it exceeded my expectations.

In such a passion-filled hockey state it was only fitting that this year's draft be held in Minnesota. It was the second time in the state's history hosting the event, the only previous time being at the former Metropolitan Sports Center in 1989. Fans representing each team were present, though there were certain franchises with considerably more support than others.

Without question, Minnesota Wild fans made up the vast majority. There were droves of Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers fans. Even a few extinct teams, such as the Quebec Nordiques, had a presence.

But the most overwhelming support for a team not named the Wild were the recently approved Winnipeg Jets. Before the official kick-off to the draft from commissioner Gary Bettman and his family, Jets fans chanted "Let's go Jets! Let's go Jets!" If I didn't know any better I would have thought there was a game being played.

Numerous games and activities were setup on the main concourse area. Puck shooting contests, hockey card traders, life sized replica player locker rooms with equipment and jerseys to try on and much more were on hand.

Throughout the course of the evening numerous coaches and players interacted with fans, signed autographs, and posed for pictures. I even met Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma. He was very friendly and thanked me for congratulating him on winning the 2011 Jack Adams Award as the NHL's Coach of the Year.

Nothing compared to what proved as a major surprise and delight when I walked through the doors to the Xcel - the Stanley Cup was in the house! During the prescribed showing time I made my way to the location where it was to be unveiled.

While standing in the middle of the concourse area I noticed a strange silence come over the surrounding crowd. I looked around to see what was going, and lo and behold there it was. Lord Stanley's Cup was being wheeled around by the security guard from the MasterCard commercial.



After picking my jaw up off the ground and waiting in line for roughly 30-45 minutes I finally had my chance. Even though superstitions say you aren't supposed to touch the Cup until you win it, I figured it was a safe bet I would never have that opportunity.

It also helps that the superstition wound up proving false - or perhaps dormant - for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009.



Aside from all of that fun stuff, there was actually a lot of business being conducted at the draft. Of course, teams were charged with putting faith in 17-19 year-old's to help fill various needs within their organizations.

Though not during the first round while I was present, three Notre Dame players (or players-to-be) were drafted by NHL clubs. Sophomore center T.J. Tynan, college hockey's national rookie of the year last season, was selected in the third round with the 66th pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steven Fogarty, who won't embark on his Irish career until 2012-2013, was selected six picks later by the New York Rangers. Lastly, incoming freshman defensemen Robbie Russo was snatched up in the fourth round by the New York Islanders with the 95th pick.

Overall, the first night of the draft seemed to drag on as it took over four hours to complete 30 picks. Despite the longevity it was time well spent, though. I hope the Xcel plays host to a draft sometime again in the near future.

It's Been Awhile

No, I'm not referring to the once popular song by Staind. It's been awhile since I've posted and, therefore, awhile since we've had some ND coverage on the blog. The following will serve as a download of happenings since my last post.

Notre Dame Men's Basketball Wonders What Could Have Been
As Justin had mentioned, the Irish men's basketball season came to a screeching halt on the heels of a flat performance against Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Expectations were high on Mike Brey's squad after a tremendous regular season found the Irish ranked in the top 10.

A disappointing early loss in the Big East Tournament apparently did not leave as bitter a taste as one would have expected in the player's mouths. They looked relatively unimpressive against their first round NCAA opponent Akron and then struggled out of the gate against the Seminoles. As much as the pro-Irish crowd in Chicago was supposed to help the Irish it wound up being a non-factor thanks to the slow start.

Accolades continued to roll in for the Irish though even in defeat. Head Coach Mike Brey added to his Big East Coach of the Year award by being named AP Coach of the Year, beating out San Diego State's Steve Fisher. It marks the first such award for an Irish skipper. Notre Dame finished the season ranked No. 5 in the final poll, it's highest ranking under Brey.

Ben Hansbrough added to his Big East Player of the Year honors when he was named a second team All-American by Sporting News and third team All-American by Basketball Times. It capped a tremendous season for the veteran leader and heart of the Irish squad. Hansbrough now looks to earn a spot on an NBA roster as he prepares for the NBA draft.


Sky(lar) Was The Limit For Women's Basketball Program
Switching to the women's side of hoops, Notre Dame advanced to the NCAA championship game where the lady Irish fell to Texas A&M in a game that many, including yours truly, found more entertaining than the men's national championship game between Butler and Connecticut.

Skylar Diggins led the charge for the Irish throughout the entire tournament, putting up 20+ points during four out of the six tournament games and each of the final three.

En route to the title Notre Dame ended a 20-game losing streak to Pat Summitt's Tennessee Volunteers squad. It was Notre Dame's first ever win against the Volunteers. Perhaps more impressive than that feat was the Final Four victory over expected champion Connecticut. Maya Moore was the force behind the Huskies and took the game over late in the fourth, but Notre Dame's defense held strong in the waning minutes of the game to secure the Irish's second title game appearance in program history.

The pro-Irish crowd at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN certainly helped will the Irish against the Huskies but could not stop the force of Danielle Adams from Texas A&M in the title game.


Irish Iced Over At Frozen Four In St. Paul, MN

Notre Dame's hockey team reached the Frozen Four for the second time in school history this season after defeating Merrimack College 4-3 in OT in the Elite Eight. Unfortunately the Irish did not fair as well in St. Paul as they did in Denver during the 2008 Frozen Four, where they advanced to the championship game before falling to Boston College.

Eventual champion Minnesota-Duluth held off the Irish in what started out as target practice during the first semifinal of the tournament. Five total goals in the first period saw the Bulldogs head to the locker room with a 3-2 lead.

Notre Dame rallied in the third period after entering down 4-2 with a short-handed goal from Calle Ridderwall, who was the hero in the 2008 Frozen Four that netted the game-winner against Michigan. The Irish could not sneak another past the Bulldogs' goalie and wound up a goal short with a 4-3 final score.

At least Irish fans can take solace in the fact that Minnesota-Duluth went on to defeat Michigan in the title game.

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the first set of games (Notre Dame vs. Minnesota-Duluth and Michigan vs. North Dakota) thanks in part to the Notre Dame Club of Minnesota and to fellow Dillonite Jamie R for winning a lottery opportunity for tickets. Our view was great (see picture above) and even though the result was an Irish defeat it was still an amazing experience to be part of an NCAA championship event. The Excel Energy Center was a great venue to host the event.

Head Coach Jeff Jackson has clearly built the Irish into a perennial powerhouse and hopefully it will eventually lead to the first of many national titles for the Irish icers. What better way to christen the beautiful Compton Family Center opening next fall than by winning a national title? Seeing as the Irish were young this season (12 underclassmen saw significant ice time) they should make a run within the next few years.

Post season awards trickled in for the Irish as freshman T.J. Tynan was named National College Hockey Rookie of the Year by the Hockey Commissioners' Association. Tynan became the first player from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) conference to earn the honor. He led his fellow classmates across the nation in scoring with 23 goals and 21 assists for 54 points.


All in all it was a strong winter season for the Irish. Stay tuned in the coming days for a few updates on how the spring sports are faring.

Until then, Go Irish!