NCAA Hockey - 2023/24 **Insert Witty Tagline**

[Jimjamesak]

Tonight was the prime example of why being an independent is *ing brutal.

UAA and UAF go into OT. On the face off to begin OT UAA gets called for a face off violation (after calling two other penalties the whole game) for using their hand even though the player used his stick along the ice. Naturally UAF scored on the power play.

The frustrating part is that nothing will happen with the officials. The CCHA will blow it off while UAA loses one of the most important games of the season. Argh.

[Spartanforlife4]

No idea. Like I said, it won’t happen. None of the Minnesota or Michigan schools are dropping and that means UAA and UAF won’t either. But it’s not stopping people from speculating.

Maybe AIC isn’t dropping the program entirely because they need hockey to meet the sponsored sports minimum?

Could be. Reading elsewhere they’re also not in great shape as an institution. Cost cutting measure that may just be a sign of the whole university going down.

[Jimjamesak]

How many schools are needed for an NCAA championship? Even if all the D2 schools dropped down there would still only be 20 D2 teams.

And I don’t see a world where the Minnesota or Michigan schools drop down from D1.

No idea. Like I said, it won’t happen. None of the Minnesota or Michigan schools are dropping and that means UAA and UAF won’t either. But it’s not stopping people from speculating.

Maybe AIC isn’t dropping the program entirely because they need hockey to meet the sponsored sports minimum?

[Spartanforlife4]

Maybe they’re trying to wait out other schools dropping down. It won’t happen but it is a strategy.

How many schools are needed for an NCAA championship? Even if all the D2 schools dropped down there would still only be 20 D2 teams.

And I don’t see a world where the Minnesota or Michigan schools drop down from D1.

[Jimjamesak]

I don’t really see the point in keeping the program if it’s at D2. Purgatory of playing a D3 schedule but not being eligible for the championship. It’s essentially a varsity sponsored club team. Maybe even worse because at least club teams can compete for a championship.

Maybe they’re trying to wait out other schools dropping down. It won’t happen but it is a strategy.

[Spartanforlife4]

Glad they're not folding.

I don’t really see the point in keeping the program if it’s at D2. Purgatory of playing a D3 schedule but not being eligible for the championship. It’s essentially a varsity sponsored club team. Maybe even worse because at least club teams can compete for a championship.

[dxmnkd316]

Damn you Cornell voter. You had to break the streak

One tie was enough.

he never had the conviction.

[dxmnkd316]

This will be the last year of AIC D1 hockey. They’re dropping back to D2 after this year. Now let the war begin for Stonehill vs LIU for that open AHA spot.

https://x.com/MikeMcMahonCHN/status/1856396493101367775

Glad they're not folding.

[Jimjamesak]

17-19. 20 is capped and under 17 is rare.

There’s usually a 16 year old or two on each team.

In the CHL anyone Under 16 has to be granted “exceptional status” to play and it’s pretty rare.

[Kepler]

I thought most USHL players were 17-20.

17-19. 20 is capped and under 17 is rare.

[Kepler]

Junior age limit in USA/Canada is 20. Internationally it's 19.

They're only allowed three 20s.

[joecct]

USHL players are 19-22; CHL players are 15-19. They aren't going to send 15-year olds who are the best prospects in hockey to skate against 22-year old monsters.

Junior age limit in USA/Canada is 20. Internationally it's 19.

[Jimjamesak]

I thought most USHL players were 17-20. Or has it shifted older in recent years? I just remember 20 years ago when the league was still drawing sellout crowds in Omaha/Des Moines/etc. they were mostly high school kids.

A quick glance at rosters of some teams in both leagues shows that they’re pretty similar in ages. Lots of 2006, 2007 birth years, a few 2005 and 2008, one or two 2004.

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Damn you Cornell voter. You had to break the streak

[unofan]

USHL players are 19-22; CHL players are 15-19. They aren't going to send 15-year olds who are the best prospects in hockey to skate against 22-year old monsters.

I thought most USHL players were 17-20. Or has it shifted older in recent years? I just remember 20 years ago when the league was still drawing sellout crowds in Omaha/Des Moines/etc. they were mostly high school kids.