Four NMU goaltenders? I don't think so.

With Kyle and I both stuck with dial-up lately, updates are a little tough to do but I'll try and battle with this ancient technology.

The NMU offseason continues to produce some story lines to keep everyone busy. The Cats recently received a verbal commitment from Cloquet High School goaltender Reid Ellingson for 2007. According to Western College Hockey, Ellingson was the top senior high school goalie in Minnesota last year.

This announcement has started a bit of controversy with the Cats, since they presumably have four goaltenders for next season, but in fact the Cats will only have three.

Ian Keserich will not be coming to Northern at all next season, leaving Ellingson to sit behind Derek Janzen and Brian Stewart. It was first announced by NAHL.com that Keserich had committed to Northern, but it was Keserich who made that announcement, not NMU.

Buckeye fans can breath a sigh of relief that they did not let a keeper transfer within the conference and Wildcat fans can not expect multiple goaltenders on the ice at once.

In other news ... Mike Santorelli is still an NMU Wildcat. The chess match between him and the Nashville Predators could come down to the final move. Until now, all the Cats can do is sit and wait ...

... Northern is also not in a rush to hire a new assistant coach to replace the departed John Olver. The Wildcats are taking their time in making this hire ...

.... And now for a look around the CCHA ... The Wolverines are having a similar confusion surrounding their goaltending situation, which needs some work. It baffles me that Michigan can recruit the top fire power in the nation but habitually strikes out on netminders. They are like the New York Yankees of college hockey. The Evil Empire has seemed to work out the confusion however ...

... The Nanooks search for a head coach continues. The team formerly known as Alaska-Fairbanks will be bringing four finalists to Fairbanks for a two day interview. The cool part is on the second day, the candidates will meet the public. Northern did something similar when it hired its new volleyball coach, but the practice backfired when both candidates withdrew from consideration.

... And finally, a personal note. My four year run as the NMU hockey beat writer has come to an end. I graduated from Northern a few weeks ago and am looking to move on to something new. Look for me periodically in the Mining Journal this summer as I plan to remain in Marquette until the end of June, with some trips down to Wisconsin every now and then. I also plan to make one final appearance in The North Wind for the summer issue.

I plan to continue contributing to this blog as much as possible because I love NMU hockey. It has been a memorable four years. Thanks to everyone who supported me along the way.