And So It Begins!

Holy crap, it’s hard to believe that it’s almost October! The past three weeks have definitely flown by as the sports season is in full swing.

In Volleyball, the ladies are under direction of new head coach Ashley Hardee and are proving they are Division I worthy as they remain undefeated in the Great West Conference. They have had three matches at home so far this season, with two sweeps and latest going to four games. The ladies look strong, determined, and they sure are fun to watch!

There are still 7 home series left, so stop on down to the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, pick up a $2.00 hot dog and $3.00 16 oz. “adult beverage” and cheer on the Sioux Volleyball team and they spike their way through the competition.

October brings hockey season, my favorite if you couldn’t tell already. I completed my first fantasy hockey draft of the year and was successful in getting the coveted UND alums; Parise, Toews, Oshie, Zajac, Stafford, Commodore, Green, Blake. It’s the only method to my madness when I’m matched up against a bunch of guys from Ontario and one hockey reporter from Germany. A girls got to do what a girls got to do! I did pick up some Minnesota boys as well; Keith Ballard and Jamie Langenbrunner, just to balance it out. My second fantasy draft is tonight - just in time for the NHL season to kick off tomorrow!  I may have to try for the same roster...mmm...we'll see.

Speaking of hockey, my hockey itch (no…not jock itch) was satisfied last weekend as the Sioux women’s team opened up their season facing Manitoba at home. They won 3-1 Friday night against the Bison, but fell short by one goal in Saturday’s match-up (3-2). The ladies look fast, strong and ready to compete with the rest of the WCHA. It’ll be fun to watch them evolve even more throughout the year.

Their biggest competitors will no longer be facing them this year, more-so they’ll be joining next year! Monique and Jocelyn Lamoureux have opted out of their time with Minnesota and signed with the Sioux this summer. They will take this year as their red-shirt year while they compete for spots on the US Olympic team. Keep an eye on those girls as they hope to compete against the best in the world this winter and bring that determination and skill to the Sioux next season.

Hockey, hockey, hockey! Sunday marks the Men’s first game, an exhibition game against Manitoba. As previously reported on, this will also be the public farewell to Denny Gunderson, notable Zamboni driver for the Fighting Sioux for the past 40+ years. I read over the script presenting his honor and got tears in my eyes. It may be a rough Sunday for me!

As promised though, this isn’t just a hockey blog. It’s Beyond the Ice in that it pertains to other things going on in the building. On Monday night, we had a banquet for 210 people from Universities around the United States. Not presidents, nor coaches, but facility managers. The 2009 CAPPA Convention was held in Grand Forks, ND. CAPPA – Central Association of Physical Plant Administrators – the people in charge of making sure you’re building is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Note…they are not responsible for hot flashes.

The guests were guided through the facility and “introduced” to the world of ice. It’s amazing to see the reaction on people’s faces when they walk by the Zamboni…it’s like the white elephant in the room. However, given many of these people are from the southern states (Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana); there is a good chance that many of their schools don’t have hockey teams. There were numerous stops and stares; one lady even had to get in the driver’s seat and take a picture. I’m sure that will be the talk of her next family gathering!

It’s easy to say their tours through our building’s infrastructure was well-liked as well as their guided tours throughout the rest of the arena. I heard numerous comments about the NHL wall; the wall near the men’s locker room that represents UND’s draft history, Stanley Cup team members, as well as each team that UND players have been a part of. Welcome to the north folks where hockey is prominent; I hope you have great words of wisdom to bring back to your schools. It sure was a pleasure hosting you for the evening!

The End of an Era

August 14 will no longer hold irrelevance in the world of Fighting Sioux Hockey. It will now be remembered to most as the day Denny Gunderson pushed the pedal to the metal; flooding a fresh layer of hot water amid the used ice one last time.

After 45 years with the University of North Dakota and 42 years driving the Zamboni, Denny has decided to hang his keys and take in this season, his first as a spectator, as well as a retiree. “He’s as synonymous with the men’s hockey program as anyone in town” stated REA’s General Manager Jody Hodgson. And this is more than true.

I grew up going to hockey games with my dad, three memories stick in my mind: getting Nibs and popcorn at EVERY game; my knowledge of each player and their numbers, announcing the starting line-up along with then PA Announcer, Scott Hennen; and Denny Gunderson driving the Zamboni. While I was finishing up my college career, I was able to complete my internship with the Ralph in the marketing department. Back then, our offices were on ice level, so I would run into Denny and the rest of the crew often; coffee breaks and quick quips back and forth would gain me some of the respect from the maintenance crew. From that point on, I was lucky enough to know “the Zamboni driver”.

I left for a couple years, to get a feel for the “big city living” following my graduation, but have since returned to the team and the building that I so dearly love. I was more than elated when, upon my return, Denny was one of the first guys to give me a hug and say “welcome back!”

For a guy that has worked through 3 different arenas, six head coaches, 5 national titles, he is still as down to earth as one could be. His Nordic accent, and welcoming smile will be missed, but he is not gone forever. He will be honored in true fashion at UND’s opening exhibition game against Manitoba. One question: will he don the tuxedo and top-hat as he has done for every State High School Championship game? You’ll just have to show up and find out for yourself!

I’m not the only one who shares my admiration and will dearly miss the presence of Denny this season. The Grand Forks Herald had an article in Friday’s edition and their online the comments kept adding up. Anywhere from Grand Forks to Greenville, SC to Longmont, CO; fans of the Fighting Sioux’s quintessential Zamboni driver voiced their happiness about his tenure and retirement.

Walking back to the zamboni hole with Denny on Friday afternoon, he told me of a little boy in Providence, Rhode Island for the NCAA Frozen Four who had stopped in his tracks, pointed and said “You’re the Zamboni driver!” Denny will walk away with plenty more of these stories; as well as a legend to the fans of Fighting Sioux hockey, probably even as wide-spread as the rest of college hockey.

Thanks Denny for 45 great years to UND! You will truly be missed by Fighting Sioux fans, young and old!!