During their recent lean years, Gopher fans attempted to out-debate me with,
"It's not whether you win, it's where you're from." (true story) Gopher
fans have long been proud that they use so much in-state talent. I
certainly agree Minnesota is, as the Wild slogan goes, the State of Hockey,
but I made an interesting realization last weekend.

UND has more in-state players, per capita, than the U of M.


4 players (Skarp, Schneider, Fuher, Massen)
population of roughly 640,000
6.25 players per million for UND

Minnesota has a population of 4.9 million and would need 31 players on the
roster to match 6.25 ppm.

What more do they want from our state?? ;) Note that Fylling and O'Leary
could have been here this year, too. I think there are two or three North
Dakotans playing elsewhere in the NCAA, too.

Also note that Skarp leaves but Fylling and Sedevie should be playing next
year. Three of the five North Dakotans next year are from Western ND, which
is surprising considering the East's consistent dominance at the state
tournament.

Kirk