WCHA offseason thread 2017.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

Let me state this very, very plainly: THE ONLY WAY A 24-GAME WCHA SCHEDULE REALLY "WORKS" IS IF WE HAVE AN INTERLOCK WITH ANOTHER CONFERENCE. Past that, it's a way to lower the amount of items that you travel to Alaska twice, and if that's truly a concern, that tells you how little revenue that we get from any random home conference weekend.

I'm working on a 24-game template as I have time. I'm working two jobs and training for a third (all related), so time is often scarce.

GFM

COmpletely agree, the only value of the 24-game schedule (until NCHC/B1G stop expecting 2 for 1s from most of the WCHA) is reducing the frequency of trips to Alaska/Alabama and allowing teams to reduce the congestion of the schedule thanks to the playoff structure shift.

Beyond that, the WCHA needs to stick to 28-game schedule to maximize games in their buildings. That is far more important in the end than getting 4 more cracks at winning a NC game. We just need to do better with the 8-10 NC games we do play (excluding the Alaska schools which do only get 6). Schedule congestion is becoming a real issue for the WCHA when you throw in 14 conference weekend series, 4-5 NC series between October 1 and February 25 (weekend before the playoffs started).

There were 22 weekends to play hockey during that window and a typical WCHA team has 18-19 weekends wrapped up in the current system so that only leaves 3 weekends off and at least one, if not 2 of them occur right before Christmas. MTU played 19 weekends this season including the first day of official practice on October 1 and didn't have a weekend off until Dec 17, they also had off Dec 24 and Feb 18. That doesn't seem like a sustainable schedule which means quite a few teams are going to continue to not use all their exemption games because of the tight schedule we've created with the new playoff format.

[giwan]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

Let me state this very, very plainly: THE ONLY WAY A 24-GAME WCHA SCHEDULE REALLY "WORKS" IS IF WE HAVE AN INTERLOCK WITH ANOTHER CONFERENCE. Past that, it's a way to lower the amount of items that you travel to Alaska twice, and if that's truly a concern, that tells you how little revenue that we get from any random home conference weekend.I'm working on a 24-game template as I have time. I'm working two jobs and training for a third (all related), so time is often scarce.GFM

Couldn't agree more on some kind of conference interlock. Isn't this what the WCHA commish should be working on unless all the schools are not on the same page. Or is the commish applying for the MSU job?

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

Picking up scheduling discussions from the Bemidji thread, can we confirm who has the "double Alaska" jaunt next season? This is not a complaint, just a request for information. Tech fans have heard multiple times in the last 4-6 months that we're doing it again next year.

There is no reason to think that MTU isn't doing the double Alaska next season. Unless the WCHA does some kind of reset on the rotation, I can tell you right now who MTU will play (A=away, H=home, B=Both):

UAA A
UA_ B
UAH H
BG B
BSU H
FSU B
LSS B
MSU A
NMU B

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

Let me state this very, very plainly: THE ONLY WAY A 24-GAME WCHA SCHEDULE REALLY "WORKS" IS IF WE HAVE AN INTERLOCK WITH ANOTHER CONFERENCE. Past that, it's a way to lower the amount of items that you travel to Alaska twice, and if that's truly a concern, that tells you how little revenue that we get from any random home conference weekend.

I'm working on a 24-game template as I have time. I'm working two jobs and training for a third (all related), so time is often scarce.

GFM

[Revs89.2]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

I honestly don't see ASU being let into a conference until their arena situation is figured out. I do think that had a lot to do with the failed bid into the NCHC.

As for conference stability, other than the Alaska schools, I think the other schools are pretty stable, even if they some are on shoestring budgets. That being said, I've heard a few coaches talk over the last few years of another realignment, something that is a little bit more planned than what happened when PSU game onto the scene & everyone had to scramble. What I'm hoping that means is that some form of the former CCHA comes back, with teams like Robert Morris or Niagra joining it, the NCHC dissolving & reforming as the WCHA. (If this were to come, I would hope Miami-Ohio & WMU rejoin the CCHA clone, with MTU, MSU, Bemidji joining the WCHA.) - Other than hearing rumors, everything else is just my thoughts on it.

Everything I'm hearing out here is ASU will be in a conference soon, most likely before summer. As for arena, and I understand the frustrations, but believe the news on that will come either with the conference or shortly there after.

[aparch]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

The NCHC is here to stay. The exit fees to leave the NCHC mean that for all the complaints we've heard about from Miami and Western, it's going to take a pretty sweet deal to get them to move. The NCHC got what they wanted: they unloaded the financial "black holes" of MTU and Anchorage.

I really thought a new CCHA might come along (and still think it will), but by having the AHA increase scholarships, that seems to have caused that talk to simmer.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

Make of it what you will, but Bowling Green turned down an invitation (formal or informal, I'm not sure) to the NCHC last summer. This was said by BG's athletic director earlier this season.

I followed up with Moose right after after he said that (I couldn't corral him fast enough and clearly we were both at the same event) and he corrected me by stating were not formally invited but that the NCHC sent "feelers" and that upon review by the hockey staff, AD, and administration (which I took to mean Mazey) we replied non merci. Don't know exactly if Berge was fer or agin, but the overall feeling was we are better off where we are pending the next round of realignment.

I posted this in the BG thread awhile back hoping some of the more "in the know" people would share their insights since Moose didn't feel the need to keep it a secret any longer but there were no takers.

[Deman]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

Is there a concern that Minn St leaves at some point to the NCHC? It seems like the failed joint bid (Minn St/ASU) might have tripped them up last season there. But will they make the attempt to go back on their own or with another school? I don't see ASU being back in the NCHC mix. If the Alaska thing falls apart, are there others that would follow if they only have "shoestring" budgets? Or would that make it easier for schools, costwise? That's why I found the topic yesterday on USCHO live interesting as there were talks of coaches being aware of the negative domino that could start if a few teams start dropping. And to davyd83's point, I would imagine they (ASU) would be looking at some sort of 5-year commitment with a penalty for leaving. That would be good business sense for the WCHA.

Are all schools in the WCHA doing travel subsidies to the Alaska's and UAH?

I honestly don't see ASU being let into a conference until their arena situation is figured out. I do think that had a lot to do with the failed bid into the NCHC.

As for conference stability, other than the Alaska schools, I think the other schools are pretty stable, even if they some are on shoestring budgets. That being said, I've heard a few coaches talk over the last few years of another realignment, something that is a little bit more planned than what happened when PSU game onto the scene & everyone had to scramble. What I'm hoping that means is that some form of the former CCHA comes back, with teams like Robert Morris or Niagra joining it, the NCHC dissolving & reforming as the WCHA. (If this were to come, I would hope Miami-Ohio & WMU rejoin the CCHA clone, with MTU, MSU, Bemidji joining the WCHA.) - Other than hearing rumors, everything else is just my thoughts on it.

[pdt1081]

Is there a concern that Minn St leaves at some point to the NCHC? It seems like the failed joint bid (Minn St/ASU) might have tripped them up last season there. But will they make the attempt to go back on their own or with another school? I don't see ASU being back in the NCHC mix. If the Alaska thing falls apart, are there others that would follow if they only have "shoestring" budgets? Or would that make it easier for schools, costwise? That's why I found the topic yesterday on USCHO live interesting as there were talks of coaches being aware of the negative domino that could start if a few teams start dropping. And to davyd83's point, I would imagine they (ASU) would be looking at some sort of 5-year commitment with a penalty for leaving. That would be good business sense for the WCHA.

Are all schools in the WCHA doing travel subsidies to the Alaska's and UAH?

Make of it what you will, but Bowling Green turned down an invitation (formal or informal, I'm not sure) to the NCHC last summer. This was said by BG's athletic director earlier this season.

[Revs89.2]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

The most public instability is in Alaska with their state budget crisis, but the overall perception is that outside of Tech/Mankato/Bowling Green, the remaining schools all operate on shoestring budgets.

Is there a concern that Minn St leaves at some point to the NCHC? It seems like the failed joint bid (Minn St/ASU) might have tripped them up last season there. But will they make the attempt to go back on their own or with another school? I don't see ASU being back in the NCHC mix. If the Alaska thing falls apart, are there others that would follow if they only have "shoestring" budgets? Or would that make it easier for schools, costwise? That's why I found the topic yesterday on USCHO live interesting as there were talks of coaches being aware of the negative domino that could start if a few teams start dropping. And to davyd83's point, I would imagine they (ASU) would be looking at some sort of 5-year commitment with a penalty for leaving. That would be good business sense for the WCHA.

Are all schools in the WCHA doing travel subsidies to the Alaska's and UAH?

[manurespreader]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

WCHA teams are finding it difficult to get a decent split of non-conference games at home. Tech had none last year. NMU had 2. With four more non-conference slots to fill, other than Bemidji, Minnesota St & Bowling Green, don't be surprised to see teams even more badly overloaded with road games, or costly flights to the East Coast to keep the ratios at their already bad levels.

well I don't doubt what you say is true but.... lets say we each get 4 additional games out of conference and that we choose to use 2 of them. home and home with someone else in consecutive years for instance. If we win 50% of those games are we better off as a league in the power, or worse off. ? I'd bet we are better. This is a problem for guys like geoff.

[AKSWF]

The most public instability is in Alaska with their state budget crisis, but the overall perception is that outside of Tech/Mankato/Bowling Green, the remaining schools all operate on shoestring budgets.

I'll try not to go to deep with this but:

"JUNEAU — The Alaska Senate's Republican-led majority on Monday followed through on its pledge to cut 5 percent from schools, pairing that proposal with a new cut to the university system and legislation to eliminate a state-sponsored scholarship program."

UA is facing a vote for getting $21.7 million getting cut from an already thin budget. UAA is becoming a shell of itself (which is not saying a lot), and UA_ shut down a dorm due to low usage (another failed water test on campus too?). Meanwhile all the mini-satellite campus over our sparsely populated state are still running.

Last year a similar cut didn't have the chance to get voted on. Attendance was down this school year, Jim Johnsen maybe it was the public knowledge of sports possibly getting cut from any or both schools, professors leaving left and right, the recession which is now in full effect statewide, low oil prices remain, etc.

The bright point is that now at 9 pm, it's still pretty light outside.

Oh and that performance based scholarship was a huge factor for many of my friends slumming it and staying for college in Alaska.

[davyd83]

The most public instability is in Alaska with their state budget crisis, but the overall perception is that outside of Tech/Mankato/Bowling Green, the remaining schools all operate on shoestring budgets.

Bemidji is pretty solidly budgeted as well. Of course Minnesota St looks like they're upping the ante as well. But once you get beyond those schools, there does seem to be a gap, especially when it comes to recruiting expenditures.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: WCHA offseason thread 2017.

Hi guys, ASU fan here. Looks like we will be back to having a few of you all on our schedule next year after having none last season. I was listening to the USCHO Live show today and they were talking about the conference and how keeping the Alaska's would be important to possibly keeping the conference in tact. Is there any instability that you all feel? The integration is around the 50 min mark of the show if you want to listen yourself. I still think this is probably the most likely landing spot for ASU. Not sure if you all view it as a positive, but seems to have been where the conversation always steers out here. Thanks for your thoughts in advance!

The most public instability is in Alaska with their state budget crisis, but the overall perception is that outside of Tech/Mankato/Bowling Green, the remaining schools all operate on shoestring budgets.

[davyd83]

Hi guys, ASU fan here. Looks like we will be back to having a few of you all on our schedule next year after having none last season. I was listening to the USCHO Live show today and they were talking about the conference and how keeping the Alaska's would be important to possibly keeping the conference in tact. Is there any instability that you all feel? The integration is around the 50 min mark of the show if you want to listen yourself. I still think this is probably the most likely landing spot for ASU. Not sure if you all view it as a positive, but seems to have been where the conversation always steers out here. Thanks for your thoughts in advance!

From talking to both coaches in late January, they both think their programs are on solid footing. As for ASU, it seems plausible and could be a factor in the league exploring a 24 game schedule. I'd certainly welcome the trip to Tempe. Good luck to your program. Of course, the big questions as to a potential addition of ASU, is do they make a commitment to the WCHA with either a minimum length (say 5 years or 10 years) commitment or a stiff penalty for leaving the league, and would they provide travel subsidies a la the Alaskas & Huntsville?