What's in a Name?

Just this past weekend, one of the best, if not the best, nicknames in college hockey was forced to be retired. That is, of course North Dakota's Fighting Sioux name.

The college's nickname comes from the Native American Sioux tribe of the northern Midwest. The name was deemed "hostile and abusive" towards the tribe and the University will be forced to changed their nickname for the upcoming athletic season. This controversy has been going on for God knows how long between the NCAA and the University. The tipping point was a lawsuit by several Native American students who were members of the Sioux tribe.

That all leads me to the main question:

What's in a name?

There are some college nicknames that make a ton of sense i.e BU. The Boston Terrier is the perfect nickname for a Boston school, unless of course you're a dog. Then you may think that it is abusive, I don't know. The other one that comes to mind that just really fits is the Denver University Pioneers. The early settlers of The West called Denver home, as well as many gold miners.

One other nickname that really fit the school and their location was UND and The Fighting Sioux. The University is stationed about and hours drive from the Native American reserve. The name just fit the school and the location like no other name ever will. I will always know UND as the Sioux. I will miss watching the third period of the Sioux games on TV after coming home from the BU games. It's not that the games won't be on TV any more (in fact there will be more college hockey on than ever) but I will miss seeing the Sioux logo on the front of UND's shiny green jerseys.

Should the Other UND Have to Change Their Logo. Too?
Yes, I'm talking about the all mighty University of Notre Dame and how dare someone say they have to change their classic Fighting Irish name? Well, I see it the same way. If North Dakota has to change the Sioux name and logo, Notre Dame should have to do the same.

Whats the New Name Going To Be?
There is no official name the UND will adopt yet but I've heard possibly the Fighting Prairie Dogs. I just hope they don't change it to what Natick High School did, the Natick Red and Blue. They were the Red Men, I guess that falls under the "hostile and abusive" category.

Coyle, Nieto, Clendening named to National Junior Evaluation Camp

Charlie Coyle was named one of the
top three players on last year's WJC
team by his teammates.
Photo by Matt Dresens

Today the roster for the National Junior Evaluation Camp was released by USA Hockey and three Terriers made the list. Charlie Coyle, Matt Nieto, and Adam Clendening were three of forty-four Americans to get the invite.

The camp is set up evaluate players so USA Hockey can chose the best team to send to this year's World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Alberta this December/January.

Last season, Coyle was a standout on the WJC team which won Bronze, with a 4-2 win over Sweden. He finished the tournament tied for the team lead in assists (4) and points (6) in six games. Nieto and Clendening were among the final cuts, but did not make the team last Winter.

2012 Roster Released Yesterday

This fall there will be four new faces on the BU hockey team. Freshman defenseman Alexx Privitera, forwards Cason Hohmann and Evan Rodrigues, and goaltender Anthony Moccia, a sophomore who was on the practice team last season. The roster will be made up of 18 forwards, 7 defenseman, and three goalies.

Parker had this to say about each player:

#1 Anthony Moccia, Goaltender, Medford Mass... Last Team: Buckingham Browne and Nickels (ISL)
"Anthony served as a practice goaltender for us last year as a freshman and used his great work ethic to earn a spot on this year's roster. He'll enter this season as our third-string goalie and compete for playing time."


#6 Alexx Privitera, Defenseman, Old Tappan New Jersey.... Last Team: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
"Alexx was a big get for our program. He's very similar to David Warsofsky with his strong offensive game. He moves the puck well and is really smart without it."


#23 Cason Hohmann, Forward, Plymouth Michigan... Last Team: Ceder Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
"Cason's a center iceman who simply makes his wings better with his great vision. He moves the puck at the right time and can also create for himself. We expect him to be a major contributor during his time at BU."


#26 Evan Rodrigues, Forward, Etobicoke Ontario... Last Team: Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
"Evan is a pure sniper. He's shown the ability to score every time we've seen him play and is very dangerous from the dots in. He's solid all-around as well and will be a great addition to our forwards."


"We're confident that this incoming class will fit well with our team," said Parker. "These talented newcomers will complement our large group of returning players and certainly help us in what looks to be a promising 2011-12 season for BU hockey."

2013 Recruit, Erne, Decommits, will join QMJHL

2013 recruit, Adam Erne has reportedly decomitted from BU and will instead "take his talents to Quebec". He will join the Quebec Ramparts of the QMHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) Erne had committed the BU for the fall of 2013.

Erne was drafted 22nd over all in the QMHL draft by the Ramparts. Last season he posted 10 goals, 8 assists and a -18 rating in 45 games played with the Indiana Ice of the USHL.

In Other News
Former BU standout, Keith Tkachuk  will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He played 19 seasons in the NHL with three teams, Winnipeg/Phoenix, St. Louis and Atlanta. He scored 538 career goals in 1,201 games. Tkachuk was the first American to lead the NHL in goals scored in a single season with 52 in 1997. The Melrose native played one season at BU totaling 17 goals 23 assists in 36 games.