Here's the confirmation...today the University of North Dakota named Dean Blais
as the 14th head coach in the history of Fighting Sioux hockey.
 
Blais, a native of International Falls, Minn., played college hockey for the
Gophers from 1969-73.  He played for the U.S. National Team in 1973 and spent
three seasons in the Chicago Blackhawks farm system in Dallas.  Blais was head
coach at Minot (N.D.) High before becoming an assistant coach for the Sioux in
1980, a post he held for nine seasons.  He then became head coach at Roseau
(Minn.) High, leading that school to the Minnesota state title in 1990.  Blais
left Roseau to become an assistant coach with the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team that
finished fourth in Albertville.  Currently head hockey coach and athletic
director at International Falls High, Blais was head coach of the 1993 U.S
Junior National Team.
 
He starts officially at UND on July 1.
 
Also, an additional Sioux hockey note...Ryan Johnson, who will be a freshman at
UND next season, is ranked 32nd overall in the final Central Scouting ratings
listed in the current issue of the Hockey News.  Ryan is the brother of former
Sioux star Greg Johnson and current Sioux forward Corey Johnson.
 
Justin