UConn to apply to Hockey East

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I wonder when an offical announcement will be made? Hopefully this isn't another Notre Dame.

[bigmrg74]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I wonder when an offical announcement will be made? Hopefully this isn't another Notre Dame.

Hell, how long has UCONN been kicked around about them making the move to Hockey East? Heck, probably about as long as the dreaded formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference has been on USCHO.

[RSTuthill]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I wonder when an offical announcement will be made? Hopefully this isn't another Notre Dame.

Guessing this month one way or the other, but it might slip into May.

[Jim]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Guessing this month one way or the other, but it might slip into May.

My guess is late this month, but Dick has way better contacts than I do.

[Patman]

My guess is late this month, but Dick has way better contacts than I do.

If I were a betting man I'd say that HEA comes out with a statement applauding their research and interest but saying they need to have further evidence of a commitment.

The UConn proposal turns the wheels but none of the actions are firm decisions as such and every option has concrete drawbacks.

[RSTuthill]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

My guess is late this month, but Dick has way better contacts than I do.

No contacts at all. Just reading the tea leaves.

[RSTuthill]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Did I hear correctly that the league vote on UConn is set for this Thursday(4/12)?

Nice first post, Ursula. You have heard more than we have. Sounds early to me but if it is a done deal then Thursday could be the day.

Edit: After watching the Rich Coppola piece on Fox 61 in Hartford I would have to say it is indeed a done deal. Wow!! We have waited so so so long for this! Some of us have been fans since the late 1980's.

[Jim]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

If I were a betting man I'd say that HEA comes out with a statement applauding their research and interest but saying they need to have further evidence of a commitment.

The UConn proposal turns the wheels but none of the actions are firm decisions as such and every option has concrete drawbacks.

I doubt it. I think this is a done deal and if UCONN needs a few more weeks, even a month or so to finalize the details, they'll get it. Not certain its accurate since my contacts are pretty limited, but my understanding is the Hockey East approached UCONN, not the other way around. If that is true, and I have no idea whether it is, UCONN will be given all the time it needs, within reason, to make the move.

[Patman]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Well, my perspective, I would be incredibly disappointed if they didn't make UConn write something in stone. IMO, given the current proposals things won't work. Further, I'd make sure that UConn's commitment couldn't be walked back without penalty.

[ericredaxe]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

So assuming this goes forward (we know they were looking for a 12th team anyway)... what will it be? 22 league games with travel partners?

Takes away the "home and homes" which is a negative IMO... but I can't imagine they would do home and homes if you only play each team twice in a season.

[brassbonanza]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

So assuming this goes forward (we know they were looking for a 12th team anyway)... what will it be? 22 league games with travel partners?

Takes away the "home and homes" which is a negative IMO... but I can't imagine they would do home and homes if you only play each team twice in a season.

Why need travel partners? It's the same thing as it's always been with Maine and UVM, except ND is another two game series. You either do two one-off games, or a weekend home and home/2 game series. UConn to every school except UVM/Maine/ND is a doable one day trip without any problem. Something tells me there would be major protest from BU, BC, and UNH if this meant they would all have to wait two years in between playing each other at home when there's no reason to.

[Craig P.]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

How I'd do scheduling in a 12-team Hockey East:

22 league games, two against each opponent.

Eight teams deemed to be close enough to the "center" of the league to play home-and-homes; their schedule amongst themselves is entirely home-and-home series (seven home-and-home series).

Four teams: Maine, Vermont, ND, and one other (UConn most likely) are deemed to be sufficiently "distant" that they play all-home or all-away series. Split up their play with the other eight teams, and two of their companions, and you have five home series and five away series for them (and have completed the schedule for the other eight teams). These teams do require accommodation for the last series. It has to be home-and-home; for distance reasons, I'd recommend making it one-off games for ND and whoever their scheduling partner is, but the other two teams could probably do a Friday-Sunday if they wanted to.

End result: 22 games with a perfect 11-game split home vs. away for everyone. Unfortunately, it's not practical to get a completely balanced schedule in place, and it will have an impact on schedule difficulty.

[sandiegoblkbr]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

How I'd do scheduling in a 12-team Hockey East:

22 league games, two against each opponent.

Eight teams deemed to be close enough to the "center" of the league to play home-and-homes; their schedule amongst themselves is entirely home-and-home series (seven home-and-home series).

Four teams: Maine, Vermont, ND, and one other (UConn most likely) are deemed to be sufficiently "distant" that they play all-home or all-away series. Split up their play with the other eight teams, and two of their companions, and you have five home series and five away series for them (and have completed the schedule for the other eight teams). These teams do require accommodation for the last series. It has to be home-and-home; for distance reasons, I'd recommend making it one-off games for ND and whoever their scheduling partner is, but the other two teams could probably do a Friday-Sunday if they wanted to.

End result: 22 games with a perfect 11-game split home vs. away for everyone. Unfortunately, it's not practical to get a completely balanced schedule in place, and it will have an impact on schedule difficulty.

I like your schedule.........Maine and UNH should play home and away every year (Fri/Sun).

[be711]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Well, my perspective, I would be incredibly disappointed if they didn't make UConn write something in stone. IMO, given the current proposals things won't work. Further, I'd make sure that UConn's commitment couldn't be walked back without penalty.

I don't think UConn would even be this deep into the talks if they weren't serious about it. This isn't something you can half *** and they know that. UConn has shown in the past that when they make up their minds to do something they do it right. Remember football has been to what 5 bowl games in 7 seasons as a Big East member, not to mention a top 10 practice facility in the country. Basketball was nothing when they joined the Big East 20 years ago, and they now have 3 national championships. If they do it I have faith that they are going to do it right

[Patman]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I don't think UConn would even be this deep into the talks if they weren't serious about it. This isn't something you can half *** and they know that. UConn has shown in the past that when they make up their minds to do something they do it right. Remember football has been to what 5 bowl games in 7 seasons as a Big East member, not to mention a top 10 practice facility in the country. Basketball was nothing when they joined the Big East 20 years ago, and they now have 3 national championships. If they do it I have faith that they are going to do it right

We'll see... I just don't see HCC/XL or expanded Frietas as long term solutions. I'm also fairly aware of UConn's history... you can't be a sports fan, spend five years there, and learn nothing.