Boltmann, son of Hornets coach Reed Boltmann, has committed to playing quarterback at North Dakota.

Q: What's it like playing for your father?

A: He expects a little more out of me than other kids and to always do the right thing. It's hard sometimes, but it's made me a better player overall and helped me grow as a person.

Q: Will it be strange next year at North Dakota not having him on the sidelines?

A: A little bit, but I'm used to it because he's not my hockey coach. But I'm sure he'll be there after games and texting me and just checking in.

Q: How does sports factor into your relationship?

A: Whenever we bond, it's usually about sports. We love talking about North Dakota sports and how well the teams are doing there. We don't bond that well over schoolwork. That's more my mom's territory.

Q: Why North Dakota?

A: The first time I went there, I was in seventh grade and my dad was speaking at a clinic. They always treated me and my whole family with a lot of respect. My mom loves the coaches there, and that's a good thing. And it's the perfect distance away from home.

Q: Do you have an opinion on the nickname issue?

A: It would be kind of cool to be a part of the tradition of the Fighting Sioux nickname, but the football team has done a good job of embracing Fighting Hawks. The hockey team, not so much.

Jim Paulsen