John Hack writes:
 
>    Although the entire story escapes me at this point (probably has
>to do with my advanced age and all the Bud Light I had last night),
>regardless of how successful Blue was, and Buetow equally as so, see
>how far it got Buetow.  At that point, if memory serves, Buetow was
>the most successful U of M hockey coach in the school's history.  But
>he committed the unpardonable sin of using a non-Minnesotan, namely
>Blue, thus sentencing himself to a long walk off of a short pier and
>out of Minnesota.
 
 
Hello???  I've heard plenty of theories about why Brad Buetow was fired, but
this is the first time I've heard it was for recruiting out of state.  I
don't think so.  John Blue was a very successful and popular player, as was
Steve MacSwain, the other out-of-stater recruited by Buetow.  Perhaps John
Hack has some inside information he can share.
 
While I'm on the subject (Again?  Won't this out-of-state fascination with
Minnesota recruiting EVER die?), here a few quotes from the St. Paul Pioneer
Press of April 16:
 
    "It's funny that this question is always brought up only when the
Gophers lose.  You do not have to apologize for playing kids from Minnesota.
They can play and win, and have done it before."
 
    "The fact that the Gophers are playing only Minnesota kids is no big
deal.  Over the last 40 years, maybe 10 or so players were from outside the
state."
 
    "Today there are more than 170 Minnesota high school grads playing
Division 1 hockey in the United States, and there are more capable if given
the chance."
 
    "The statement that we are playing only Minnesota kids, to me, has a
ring of altruism.  You're not being a martyr by playing our kids.  Those are
the facts."
 
    "I don't want to see anybody stop believing in our Minnesota kids.  What
we need now more than at any other time is continued opportunities and
expansion of Division 1 hockey in the country.  We've got to take care of
our kids."
 
 
The source of those quotes?  Herb Brooks.  Former coach of the Minnesota
Golden Gophers, St. Cloud Huskies, 1980 U.S. Olympic team, etc.
 
Case closed, as far as I'm concerned.  If it's good enough for Herbie, it's
good enough for me.
 
-- Erik
 
GO GOPHERS!
SKI-U-MAH!