UND Hockey: Ringing in the Holidays

Good Afternoon College Hockey Fans! It’s officially the Christmas Holiday Break. After today’s practice the University of North Dakota hockey team will go home for a much-needed break. They will come back on the 26th of December and prepare for an exhibition game against the U-18 team on December 29.

This weekend, most of college hockey is on Christmas break. There are seven series and a pair of exhibition games. The majority of this weekend’s games are in the WCHA. There is one NCHC team in action this weekend, the Colorado College Tigers travel to Tempe, AZ, to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. I know a CC fan that’s headed to Tempe this weekend and I will reach out to him to get his thoughts.

Massimo Rizzo Shines

Check out this beautiful shootout goal by UND recruit and current Penticton Vees forward Massimo Rizzo. The Burnaby, BC native is currently playing for Canada West for the World Junior A Challenge. In four games, Rizzo has scored a single assist.

Team Canada West picks up a 2-1 shootout win over USA at the @HC_WJAC! Check out @MassimoRizzo28's shootout goal 👀 pic.twitter.com/90lEMgG9Ny

— Penticton Vees (@PentictonVees) December 10, 2018

The Vees are currently third in the Interior Division of the BCHL standings. After missing the beginning of the season with an injury, Rizzo has (3g-13a—16pts) in 15 games.

Cam Johnson Spreads Christmas Spirit

There's always that one guy 😂#HappyHolidays pic.twitter.com/OfqbqmfGka

— Binghamton Devils (@BingDevils) December 13, 2018

If you haven’t seen this video, it’s hilarious. It’s classic Cam. For those that are wondering, where is former UND goalie Cam Johnson? He’s currently with the Binghamton Devils of the American Hockey League. Johnson has also spent time with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL. Below are Johnson’s statistics.

AHL Numbers – GAA 4.74 and .844 save percentage.
ECHL Numbers – GAA 2.49 and .916 save percentage.

Jacob Bernard-Docker Still with Team Canada

UND freshman defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker is at the Team Canada’s World Junior Championship selection camp. On Saturday, Team Canada’s has to get down to 22 players. Currently, JBD is still in the mix. Unfortunately, BU’s Cameron Crotty has been cut from the team.

Three of the four college players on Team Canada make it through first round of cuts: UND's Jacob Bernard-Docker, Denver's Ian Mitchell and BU's Shane Bowers. https://t.co/i7QeWgPsjq

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) December 14, 2018

Bobby Brink’s Draft Status Improving

With his play on the ice, Denver Pioneers recruit Bobby Brink is turning heads. The Minnetonka, MN, native is quickly improving his draft status and may end up being a first-round draft choice. Currently,  Brink is playing for team USA at the World Junior A Challenge.

Check out, this article from John Gove of EP Rinkside.

The 17-year-old forward currently laces his skates for the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League. Brink finds himself amongst the best players in the USHL, leading the entire league in scoring with 33 points through 19 games. His 15 goals are enough to place him second in that category while his 18 assists are enough for fourth-best. Brink’s stellar play lately is a crucial reason the Musketeers find themselves in second place of the Western Conference, only behind the Tri-City Storm.

“Bobby has a tremendous work ethic and it carries over to the ice for us. He’s a competitive kid who has been a difference maker for us every night”, said Musketeers Assistant GM Andy Johnson.

Currently, Brink is penciled in as a second or third round prospect, but that could change if his play continues to
Regarding where Brink will go in the upcoming entry draft, projections are all over the place. Kournianos, for example, has him going 46th overall to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. On the other hand, HockeyProspect.com ranked him as the 26th-best prospect while Future Considerations has him all the way down at 75. The sporadicity regarding Brink’s draft value demonstrates that the verdict is still out on where he belongs.

Check out this power play goal from Brink to give Team USA a 2-1 lead.

11 seconds into a 5-on-3, the Americans make it 2-1 after a great shot from Bobby Brink. First shot for the team. #WJAC pic.twitter.com/895a0j1WM4

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) December 12, 2018