59 Teams in 59 Days North Dakota

The 59 Teams in 59 Days tour continues with a trip to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where the North Dakota Fighting Sioux are featured.

Head Coach Dave Hakstol has done a great job his first two years. Replacing Dean Blais in 2004-2005 seemed like a hard task, but Hakstol took the Sioux to the National Championship game where they lost to Denver. Last year Hakstol took the Sioux back to the Frozen Four making it two for two. This year might seem difficult. While only losing two seniors from last years squad, the Sioux lost five underclassmen including Goaltender Jordan Parise, and Captain from last years team in Drew Stafford. But Sioux fans don't worry, there is enough talent coming back, and there is great talent coming in.

North Dakota was relived that the third draft pick in this years NHL Draft, Jonathan Toews announced that he will be returning for a Sophomore season. Also returning is the teams co-leader in goals scored in 2005-2006 in T.J. Oshie. Oshie and Toews could be on one line this year along with Sophomore Ryan Duncan. Combined the three scored 62 goals.

On defense the Sioux return five out of the six defensemen. The only player they lose is 6"5 Matt Smaby. However, there is still a lot of size returning on D, with the biggest one being 6"7 Joe Finley. Surprise to you? Not to many in the country as the Sioux have been known to have a ton of size on defense in its history.

Goaltending wise expect Junior Philippe Lamoureux should be the starter. Though he does not have a winning record in his career, Lamoureux has still impressed people. Sophomore Aaron Walski, and Freshman Anthony Grieco will be fighting for the backup job.

Overall coach Hakstol has an important year this year as they will be tested in many ways. Can he lead the team back to their third consecutive Frozen Four? Or will losing five underclassmen be too much for Hakstol to handle. I think the team should be alright and expect them to be in the hunt for the Frozen Four again.

The predicted ceiling for North Dakota is first in the WCHA, while the gutter is fourth.

Tommorrow the Northeastern Huskies will be featured on day number 41 as the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour continues in Boston. Northeastern only had three wins last year, can they improve from last years tough season? Find out tommorrow.