The Sioux Falls Stampede announced that goaltender Juho Olkinuora (6'0 181 lbs.) has committed to the University of Denver for the upcoming 2011-12 season.
2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)
D-F Wade Bennett (Wichita Falls, NAHL)
F Matt Tabrum (Omaha, USHL)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)
G Juho Olkinuora (Sioux Falls, USHL)
2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-18)
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Garrett Allen (Chicago, USHL)
D Nolan Zajac (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Colorado Thunderbirds U-18)
F Landon Smith (Colorado Thunderbirds U-18)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve50F4_S7w8
ReplyDeleteLittle introduction to Olkinuora.
Great video. Just posted it.
ReplyDeleteSo its Murray's job to lose, Olkinura will back up Murray and then when Brittain gets back it will be either a two or three way battle for playing time.
I'm happy that he doesn't speak Tikkanese.
ReplyDeleteOh thank goodness you got a new sieve for us to light up!!!
ReplyDeleteIt sure wont hurt. You just never know how good he can be.
ReplyDeleteOk, we were so worried about Murray .......if this don't light a fire under his ass nothing will This is twice now, when another goalie leapfrogged him.
ReplyDeleteThe USHL is so well-scouted that I am sure the DU coaches know what they are getting, and I am sure the DU coaches have told this kid about what kind of playing time he can expect at DU.
ReplyDeleteHe's an older freshman and I am sure he's thrilled to get a shot.
Finnish Hockey players who have worn the Crimson and Gold:
ReplyDelete-Antii Laaksonen
-Petri Gynther
=Sinhue Wallinheimo
-Jussi Halme
Swedesh Hockey players who have worn the Crimson and Gold:
-Peter Bolin
-Anders Bjork
-Erik Andersson
-Bjorn Engstrom
Norwegian Hockey players who have worn the Crimson and Gold:
-Lars Palgaard
Czech Hockey players who have worn the Crimson and Gold:
-Lukas Dora
FYI-Sinhue Wallinheimo was
ReplyDeleteelected to the Parliament of Finland as an MP for the National Coalition Party in the 2011 election.
As an aside, I spent much of this week at the USAH Dev Camp and watched carefully a Sooooooosie recruit to see what his deal is... I'll summarize by saying what I saw is great for DU (and the rest of the WCHA.)
ReplyDeleteDenver began this goaltending search after Sam Brittain was unable to recover from the knee injury and went under the knife two weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteTaking a look at Juho Olkinuora online and here's my takeaway of the situation.
Olkinuora was in a goaltending rotation with Stephon Williams at Sioux Falls in the USHL. Williams will be heading to MSU-Mankato in 2012 and will likely back-up or split time with Austin Lee next season.
Olkinuora & Williams split time this season and their stats, record and playoff time were virtually identical. So the fact that he wasn't able to beat out Williams makes it a longshot that Olkinuora will come in and unseat Murray, much less compete with Brittain.
That being said he should be an upgrade from Lars Paulgaard or Josh Rosenholtz. It will be interesting to see how Olkinuora does in DU's two exhibition games, after Paulgaard exhibition struggles a couple of seasons ago. Luckily DU has two exhibition games against McGill & USNDT to kick off the season.
The intention from the get-go of this recruiting process was to find a goaltender who come come in and play. This is not DU's typical third string goalie - He's more of a 2A. Olkinuora got some scholie money, so that gives you a pretty good idea of DU's commitment level.
Needless to say this was a difficult situation with Brittain's injury and DU having to find a goaltender in the 11th hour. Almost certainly Steve Miller was going to have to find a "late bloomer." As a 20 year-old goalie with only one year's experience in the USHL, Olkinuora fits that description to a T.
Sioux Falls came on at the end of the season and made it to the USHL semi-finals. Olkinuora played in Sioux Falls last three games of the playoffs with the season on the line. He played heroically as the Stampede lost a heartbreaking series to eventual USHL champs, Dubuque. The clincher was a 4-3 loss in overtime.
I'd expect Olkinuora to come in and be a little "raw." If Lalonde can coach him up....who knows?
Nice job by the coaching staff under the gun. Its not easy trying to find a player under these circumstances, especially when DU's tuition & housing is $46,000 annually and there are only 18 hockey scholarships available.
DU's motto this season has to be "Tampa or Bust." The effort that went into this recruiting process shows how committed the coaches are to getting there.
DU has made the best of a bad situation here. I like that he's an older kid with a last shot to prove something.
ReplyDeleteThese guys will give us their best, and hopefully. DU's defense will be good enough to keep the shots down to 25 or under per game.
HMM Tampa or Bust kind of like from Boonetown to Motown which worked so well until powerful RIT
ReplyDeleteBook Tampa!!
ReplyDeleteSo, I assume they are still looking for a 3rd Goalie? I would feel more comfortable about a goaltending decision for the Boston trip if the USA and McGill games were on back-to-back nights. The practices and prep the week before McGill will be crucial for Murray and O
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd stringer will probably be more in line with DU's traditional route...he will probably be the best out of tryouts (Lemelin, Rosenholtz, Guinn, Eisner et al)
ReplyDeleteIt would be a major shock if Murray didn't start both games in Boston.
ReplyDeleteYouSee [correct pronunciation and a heck of a lot easier to spell until someone comes up with a nickname] would have to be lights out in the exhibitions and practices to see the ice in Boston IMO.
Glad DU has another goalie in the mix for 2011-12. Hopefully he and Murray can push each other. Still, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about DU's goaltending situation without Brittain. It's time for Murray to earn his stripes and prove that he can compete at a high level in the NCAA.
ReplyDeleteTampa or Bust jokes are really funny. Not worn out or anything.
ReplyDeleteActually... I'll play Florida tourism advocate on this one. You're right book Tampa! Even if DU doesn't make it to Florida.... you could still sell your hockey tickets if you wanted to, and have a great vacation. Cheers to the NCAA for taking a leap, and booking a FF in a unique place like Tampa. The beach is literally about 20 miles away. This isn't like Detroit, or Minny. Weather is perfect in April. You simply cannot lose, regardless if your team is in the FF or not. Book it! Best option is a beach condo in Indian Rocks, Indian Shores, Madiera Beach, Clearwater Beach.....BOOK IT is RIGHT!!!!
ReplyDelete@ anon 6:44
ReplyDeleteHow is the ice?
The margaritas are ice cold. What else matters?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the sportfishing off St. Petersburg.
Rosenholtz made the team because he was friends with a bunch of the senior players and DU didn't recruit a 3rd last year
ReplyDeleteAnon ^:44-- That's what I'm aiming at . You obviously know the area. Stay in touch on this blog. A condo on or near the beach for a week is the deal that I'm in for.
ReplyDeleteGuaranteed this kid won't be as good a DJ as Rosenholtz...
ReplyDeleteYes, I actually own a rental condo in Indian rocks Beach. There's a plethora of beach rentals available in the area. More than enough to handle the Frozen Four influx and then some. And they're all within an easy drive over to SPTF. Check VRBO.com or homeaway.com, those are the primary places where owners list thier properties. The weather is usually great during April. Killer sunsets and great local hangouts and food, all 30 mins from Tampa-St. Pete. You can get a very nice condo all day any day for 1 week for anywhere from @ $850-$1500 or so.
ReplyDelete