ISS January Rankings with comments on recruit Cogliano

The International Scouting Service has released their January Top 10 rankings
for 2005 draft eligible players. Sidney Crosby remains atop the list, followed
by Michigan defensive recruit Jack Johnson at #2, and forward Gilbert Brule at
#3.

In their notes on players on the rise, they mention Wolverine recruit Andrew
Cogliano and had these wonderful words to say:

"Cogliano is a Michigan recruit and although it can be difficult evaluating
players in the Ontario Tier 2 league, ISS believes that Cogliano has the tools
to become a good player at the next level. His speed is incredible and his
ability to find teammates makes him an attractive prospect. Although some may
question his competition level at the Tier 2 level, we at ISS do not. We feel
that he has game breaking abilities as was illustrated at last years World
Under-18 Championship where he led the tournament in scoring. We also commend
Cogliano for remaining true to his word about attending Michigan because the St.
Michaels Majors of the OHL have made incredible offers to him to join the OHL
but he has refused on the grounds that he has committed to Michigan. ISS would
like to see more kids (and teams for that matter) remain true to their word and
honor commitments."

More rankings tomorrow as the NHL Central Scouting Bureau is set to release
their Mid-Term Rankings.

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Close but no cigar... again!

The University held their annual Mock Rock fundraiser Tuesday night and the
Michigan hockey team was once again denied first place and finished as
runner-up. Brent Petway of the Michigan basketball team took top honors.

This year's performance included routines "I've Had the Time of My Life" from
"Dirty Dancing" and a dance routine to "Soul Bossanova," the theme song from
Austin Powers.

And after those performances, WTKA host Steve Clarke reminded them of their
Riverdance performance a few years ago, which was the cue for an encore
presentation with Milan Gajic resuming his role as Michael Flatley and doing a
few solo dances.

All I'm wondering now is did anyone by chance go and videotape this event
because I'd love to post it online!

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Video Clips from WMU game

Sorry about the delay in getting the video clips posted. I was busy with some
other stuff earlier this week and it took me longer to get around to editing the
clips than expected. And of course this morning I burned them on CD so I could
upload them at work where I have high-speed internet and then forgot the CD at
home. But I will upload them, even the slow 56K method, when I get home
tonight.

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University, students talk about Yost vulgarity

The University took a page out of my earlier rant and took a step in the right
direction regarding profanity at Yost (more specifically, the "C-Ya" chant).
They invited student season ticket holders to a meeting to discuss this and
other issues, thus getting them involved in the process rather than trying to
force their will on them. About two dozen students showed up (I believe they
only promoted this through e-mail to the student ticket holders).

Executive associate athletics director Mike Stevenson said that the foul
language hurts U-M's chances of successfully bidding for future NCAA regionals,
having a family-oriented venue, and upholding the reputation as to why students
come to the school in the first place. The first one is a little amusing
because in the Michigan Daily's article on the meeting, a media spokesman for
Tom Jacobs, the NCAA Director of Championships, said it had less to do with
language and more to do with unfair competitive advantage (which I don't think
anyone will deny).

According to one student in attendance, the most talked about solution was a
student organization for hockey much like the Maize Rage for basketball. Ideas
tossed around included a student contest to design a t-shirt with the words for
the new chant printed on the back.

One student there also raised concerns students have such as increased ticket
prices and the student section being split in two. Stevenson was appreciative
for that because he said he hadn't ever heard of these concerns before.

Overall everyone felt it was a good first step and the ideas exchanged can be
expanded upon. Another meeting will be held later in the school year.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/