North Dakota Sends Appeal To NCAA

Citing the “consummate respect” with which it uses the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, the University of North Dakota on Tuesday sent an appeal to the NCAA seeking exemption from the organization’s policy restricting the use of American Indian mascots, names and imagery. “We have articulated a strong case for an appeal that will entirely … Read more

North Dakota’s Appeal To NCAA Nearly Ready

Early this week the University of North Dakota plans to submit an appeal of the NCAA’s policy restricting the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery. UND, the only Division I hockey school affected by the NCAA policy issued in early August, uses the Fighting Sioux nickname for its athletics teams and a logo … Read more

Greene Bolts North Dakota

North Dakota defenseman Matt Greene will forego his senior year of eligibility at UND to sign with the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers drafted Greene in the second round (44th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-3, 224-pound Greene, UND’s captain last season, helped lead the Fighting Sioux to a runner-up … Read more

North Dakota To Appeal NCAA Policy

The University of North Dakota plans to appeal the NCAA’s new guidelines designed to discourage UND and 17 other universities from using American Indian-related nicknames, mascots and logos. UND president Charles Kupchella said Friday that before the university files its appeal, it’s seeking clarification from the NCAA about what the guidelines mean and definitions for … Read more

Murray Leaves Sioux

Sophomore Brady Murray is leaving North Dakotato pursue a professional hockey career. Murray has reached an agreement with Rapperswil-Jona of the Swiss Elite League. Murray, a native of Brandon, Man., recently completed his sophomore season at UND and registered eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 25 games. “Unfortunately Brady has had his … Read more

No Hollywood Ending

The stage was set and the story was all but written. North Dakota had risen from the ashes. Rebounding from a 15-13-3 record late in the season, UND rallied to make the NCAA tournament and pulled off three straight blowouts to make it to the national championship game against defending champ Denver. Add in the … Read more

Like Father, Like Son

On the night of April 11, 1975, J.P. Parise scored the first of many memorable OT goals in New York Islanders’ history. Almost 30 years later to the day, his son Jordan Parise wrote another chapter in the illustrious goaltending heroics of North Dakota hockey. In both cases their brilliance allowed their teams to avoid … Read more

The Dean of North Dakota

Dean Blais still refers to North Dakota as “we.” And why not? He only won two national championships, went to another title game, and built the team that plays in this Saturday’s final before handing the reins to long-time assistant Dave Hakstol. And this is all he has right now, ever since the NHL season … Read more

Next Stop: Heaven

It takes six and a half hours to fly from Anchorage, Alaska, to Grand Forks, N.D. If you add in connections, plus the time it takes to get to the airport and home again, you’re looking at a 12-hour trip. On February 20, those 12 hours must have felt like an eternity for the North … Read more

Expecting The Unexpected

As a hockey coach, you hope to rely on what is expected: that your top scorers will create offense, and that your goaltender can play steady, if not pace your club’s defense. Thursday night, North Dakota got those things in beating Minnesota, 4-2, to advance to the national championship game. The Sioux got solid goaltending … Read more

Bina Focusing Forward

Letting bygones be bygones. That’s Robbie Bina’s approach this weekend, as he roots on his teammates in the NCAA Frozen Four. The North Dakota sophomore defenseman saw his season come to an end last month when he was hit from behind by Denver freshman Geoff Paukovich during the WCHA Final Five semifinals. Robbie Bina watches … Read more

Manning The Nets

The Fighting Sioux are in the Frozen Four thanks in large part to their goaltending. Patrick C. Miller takes a look at the goaltending team that has led North Dakota to Columbus.

Injured Bina Inspires Sioux

Never underestimate the power of inspiration. That’s what Robbie Bina’s Fighting Sioux teammates got from him just before they left for the NCAA East Regional playoffs in Worcester, Mass., last weekend. Five days after suffering a broken neck during the WCHA Final Five in St. Paul and two days after surgery to repair a shattered … Read more

First-Year Phenom

When North Dakota forwards Brandon Bochenski and Zach Parise went pro early after last season, fans of the Sioux had to wonder if the team’s offensive punch would leave town with them. After all, the two scored 50 of the team’s 182 goals last season. Throw in graduating senior David Lundbohm, who added 15 lamplighters, … Read more

Unsung Hero

At the end of last season, Hobey Baker finalist Zach Parise decided that his goal-scorer’s touch better matched a New Jersey Devils uniform than North Dakota green. Immediately, Parise left his brother, goaltender Jordan, with a huge question — who would provide the offensive support that he needed? The Fighting Sioux had plenty of answers. … Read more

North Dakota Knows Adversity

The North Dakota Fighting Sioux have endured a season that began with defections to the NHL and was followed by a plague of injuries, bad breaks and bad bounces. As difficult as the season has been, nobody was prepared for what happened last Friday during the WCHA Final Five in St. Paul. UND’s players and … Read more

Sioux’s Bina Has Surgery On Broken Neck

North Dakota sophomore defenseman Robbie Bina underwent surgery Monday morning at Regions Medical Center in St. Paul to repair a shattered vertebra in his neck suffered last Friday during the WCHA Final Five. In a statement released through UND, the Bina family said Dr. Daryll Dykes performed the surgery, which lasted from 8:20 a.m. to … Read more

Sources: UND’s Bina Has Broken Neck; Paukovich Suspended

North Dakota forward Robbie Bina, who was injured on a check from behind in Friday’s WCHA Final Five semifinal game against Denver, has a broken neck that may end his hockey career, sources indicated Saturday. Bina’s neck injury is being monitored by neurosurgeons at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, his mother Rose said in a … Read more

Future In Mind

Having to play three games in three days isn’t exactly a recipe for success. That’s the task that faces one WCHA team every year, once the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds meet in Thursday’s play-in game at the Final Five. For the winner, a semifinal matchup follows the next day, and then a game … Read more