Iowa, Nebraska are possibilities for Big Ten hockey: Startribune.com

[solovsfett]

I understand what you are saying but we all know the old WCHA is never coming back. IMO, I love seeing new schools add the game of ice hockey because it means more Minnesotans will be recruited to their top quality Big Ten school.

Attendance at UW is terrible and I thought it was the same at Minnesota?

There’s No doubt expansion is good for the sport overall and the quality and depth of Minnesota HS hockey can definitely stock at least 3 d1 teams with all Minnesota rosters. I’m Jealous!

[solovsfett]

Not sure I qualify as an old timer (I was very young/watching the replays on PBS); but, I'd say Michigan and Michigan St were as big of rivals as Denver, CC, Duluth and Tech, if not bigger. Gophers and Sioux are 1,2...but after that, Michigan and Sparty are right there.

I miss the WCHA and the final 5 tournament too - the geography and easy travel made it great. But, that's gone. And I think many of the fans/graduates from the late 80's and 90's forget or don't realize how big the other rivalries were, because if they weren't watching as kids, they missed out on those conference games before they left to go to the CCHA. Even then, there was the showcase where Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan St were playing each other every year (with locations rotating).

Great post. I started watching on tape delay in 84 and season tix with family starting in 85. I don’t Recall Michigan and MSU as big rivals but I did like the concept of the b10 challenge that started around 94? I’d prefer that to a conference.

[4four4]

Re: Iowa, Nebraska are possibilities for Big Ten hockey: Startribune.com

From what I have been told today rumor has it the USHL looked into this area for expansion but the USHL backed out because rumors of U of Iowa joining the icebox where too noisy for the league to move on it.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Iowa cutting a fair few sports after this school year due to economic fallout of the pandemic.

Whatever odds we had for them given the “rumors” (and the arena that could possibly have ice), knock em down a peg or two.

[4four4]

Iowa cutting a fair few sports after this school year due to economic fallout of the pandemic.

Whatever odds we had for them given the “rumors” (and the arena that could possibly have ice), knock em down a peg or two.

https://www.thehawkeye.com/story/new...rena/42109659/

Schamberger said they are within a couple of weeks of finalizing an agreement with a hockey team tenant and said "there's been some good movement on that as of late." He expects an announcement to be made in the next few weeks. A letter of intent also has been completed for the arena's team store, Schamberger said.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Granted: that was published in June, before Iowa announced dropping a few sports.

The phrasing is interesting there. Suppose that was a potential USHL tenant as opposed to the Hawkeyes?

[4four4]

Granted: that was published in June, before Iowa announced dropping a few sports.

The phrasing is interesting there. Suppose that was a potential USHL tenant as opposed to the Hawkeyes?

I will ask around and find out. It could even be a NAHL franchise.

[GeoffissiffoeG]

The ECHL and SPHL have been courting the market as well. The ECHL commish recently said they didn’t have an interested ownership group yet but that could one of those “it ain’t totally true but it also ain’t wrong” if the ownership hasn’t officially applied yet.

[4four4]

Rumor has it the USHL wanted to have a franchise play in Xtream arena but the owners told the USHL they could only have a five year lease. So they backed out. I asked why? Iowa will likely play here if the school wants field a team. I haven't received anymore info. IMO, this project hasn't started same with the Huskers.