NHL Captains Everywhere Beware!

Former UND Fighting Sioux hockey player TJ Oshie is earning a new nickname with the St. Louis Blues - "The captain assassin." Why you ask? Oshie has been dishing out big hits on opponents' captains in the last week. Both Columbus captain Rick Nash and Los Angeles captain Dustin Brown learned first hand. Actually, Nash got destroyed two nights in a row, the ladder being my favorite.

Oshie's been receiving more and more national attention as of late as he helps push the Blues into the playoff picture. TSN's Bob McKenzie wrote a short piece on how Oshie is a phenom in the league.

A few weeks ago it looked like the young St. Louis Blues' season was over. Now they are sitting 8th in the West poised to make the playoffs. A lot of this is due to the surge made by their great young talent, i.e. TJ Oshie, Patrick Berglund, David Perron, and Erik Johnson. Notably Oshie's 13 G, 23 A, for a total of 36 pts and a +16! The Blues are young and hot. I feel like you can expect them to just squeak into the playoffs this year. They return all their young talent and get some key veterans back from injury next year and I believe they will be a force in the West in 2-3 years and a lot of fun to watch!

CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:

Oshie's Highlight Reel Goal at home against the Canucks

Oshie Big Hit on Columbus Captain Rick Nash - Night 1

Oshie Big Hit on Columbus Captain Rick Nash - Night 2

Oshie Hits LA Kings Captain Dustin Brown

Oshie back for '08

The Bismarck Tribune provided me with easily the best news of my day yesterday. TJ Oshie will be returning to the University of North Dakota for his Junior season next year instead of signing a 3-year contract with the St. Louis Blues.

"It was hard turning down the money, but that's not the most important thing."
-TJ Oshie-

He didn't quite have as good of a sophomore year as his freshman year, having 17 goals and 35 assists for 52 pts. and a 3rd team all-WCHA selection. I couldn't be happier hearing this. Now I'm hoping that Duncan (having not been drafted) will come back too. I'm also optimistic that Toews will stay but I believe he will leave to the Chicago Blackhawks. I'm afraid he had just too good of a year. Regardless if Toews comes back, at least it'll be fun to watch Oshie play next year.

Now that Oshie is back I think, in my opinion, that it is safe to say that the Sioux can definately make it to the Frozen Four for a 4th straight year...even if Toews doesn't come back.