ASU Hockey

[Sean Pickett]

Re: ASU Hockey

I see that your boys are coming to Jamestown to play the University of Jamestown in January. This is UJ first year in hockey. It will be a blood bath but will be cool to see a D1 team invade our arena.

This is not the D-I team. It would most likely be one of the two club teams we have. The D-I squad is in Hamden, CT to play Quinnipiac on Jan. 27 and 28.

Actually it is the DI team, at least the DI club team. What you are referring to is the DI varsity team.

Sean

 

[dakotadan]

There are no plans for an arena, as of today. Hockey isn't even a pimple on the athletic department radar. Powers is a huge poser that completely lost control of his "club team" last year and that cash infusion will be gone in a flash. Also, don't fool yourself, leagues want no part of an upstart program that is less stable than athletics in Alaska.

Thanks for providing all of those great facts.

 

[Ronnieb]

Thanks for providing all of those great facts.

You mean facts like NCHC and new arena are a done deal. Kinda like when rich guy buys the kid a high end car and kid then wraps it around a pole.

 

[ASUHockey]

Re: ASU Hockey

I see many new faces and names on this year's roster. What are the reasonable expectations and goals for the 2016-2017 season?

 

[ASUHockey]

I can't believe someone convinced Colgate, RPI, and Harvard to play at Oceanside . . . wow.

Really?? Why would you say that? It may not be the nicest arena but this is a new team with plans to build a new arena. Why so negative?

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: ASU Hockey

Good article from Tucson on hockey in Arizona. This writer confirms the 5,000 seat arena that is planned in Tempe.

Is this the same writer that learned a prominent Florida community was negotiating to purchase the Charleston Chiefs? Quite frankly unless Dickie Dunn wrote it, I'll believe this new rink (and where its funding came from) when I see it.

I really think ASU would be best served by trying to pull in the reins on the local media (I know, not really possible) and under promise / over deliver at this point in their program development. The local media have been pumping out a bunch of stories (ASU is getting a new on-campus rink, ASU is joining the Bi6, ASU is moving in with the Coyotes, ASU is going to start the PAC-10 hockey conference, ASU is joining the NCHC, etc.) over the last few years which attempt to the build up the program to something it isn't. They're putting the rumor cart ahead of the horse and as each one turns out to be untrue, it ends up deflating the program more than an potential good that came from starting these rumors in the first place.

ASU may be one of the biggest universities anywhere, but I'm sure not having a D-I facility lined up (even on paper) is a huge stumbling block for any conference that is looking at them as a potential member. Even if ASU had finished plans, a construction contractor and the financing lined up today and put a shovel in the ground tomorrow, IMO, they would be very lucky to have a rink of any size ready to drop the puck for the 2018-19 season.

If there isn't a concrete plan in place before the 2016-17 season starts, I don't see them getting into a conference for even the 2018-19 season. ASU will ride of the wave of teams that want to visit once maybe for a couple more seasons, after that they're going to start feeling the pressure UAH was under a couple years ago trying to fill their schedule with the type of opponents they want, and need to be playing to remain a D-I team.

Further, not only is the lack of a rink limiting their chances to get into a conference, the lack of ticket sales is going to severely cut into their escrow bankroll trying to pay for the program with no revenue of any magnitude. You can bring the best teams possible to town, but if you can't even sell 1000 tickets, you're going to take a huge loss financially every season regardless of how many home games you get or who you play.

Ryan J

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU Hockey

Really?? Why would you say that? It may not be the nicest arena but this is a new team with plans to build a new arena. Why so negative?

I see your point and also Img's. I was a little surprised when I saw those teams playing at Oceanside. It is not a quality venue at all for this level of competition, even the thought the closeness of the action is pretty cool. However, it has been said by coach Powers that teams have been very welcoming of ASU and this certainly shows it. But I thought we were only using Oceanside for the first year and that obviously is not the case. We will need a new arena or plan soon to silence the doubters of the program. We also can't build a season ticket base when only 700 can go to a game. Turning away people is never a good idea. But I am confident in the admin and we will have good news soon.

I do question some of the negativity on the board towards the program. I would think growing the sport would be received better, but some here certainly don't feel that way. But I did meet some awesome folks from Michigan Tech last year that were out at our games in Glendale and look forward to welcoming those from Air Force, Michigan, Harvard, RPI and Colgate this year as well as the group that will be in Prescott Valley. It will be a lot of fun to have them here as we play in year two. I am very excited for it to get started.

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU Hockey

I see many new faces and names on this year's roster. What are the reasonable expectations and goals for the 2016-2017 season?

Great question. We should be fielding a much better team this year, but the schedule is so tough that we will take our lumps again. I am most interested in how we compete over a full season of quality opponents. There was a fun tweet that the school put out saying we have 3/4 of the frozen four teams from 2016 on our schedule, 9 top-25 teams and 3 conference champs. I'm not sure how that compares to others, but it is not too shabby for year two. Let me know what games you will be at and I will stop by and say hello.

 

[Bill]

Re: ASU Hockey

I see your point and also Img's. I was a little surprised when I saw those teams playing at Oceanside. It is not a quality venue at all for this level of competition, even the thought the closeness of the action is pretty cool. However, it has been said by coach Powers that teams have been very welcoming of ASU and this certainly shows it. But I thought we were only using Oceanside for the first year and that obviously is not the case. We will need a new arena or plan soon to silence the doubters of the program. We also can't build a season ticket base when only 700 can go to a game. Turning away people is never a good idea. But I am confident in the admin and we will have good news soon.

I do question some of the negativity on the board towards the program. I would think growing the sport would be received better, but some here certainly don't feel that way. But I did meet some awesome folks from Michigan Tech last year that were out at our games in Glendale and look forward to welcoming those from Air Force, Michigan, Harvard, RPI and Colgate this year as well as the group that will be in Prescott Valley. It will be a lot of fun to have them here as we play in year two. I am very excited for it to get started.

I don't think anyone's against growing Div 1 hockey. It's just that fans recognize that you need to have an arena solution in place if you are going to start up a program and apply to get in a conference. If you don't have an existing arena that is up to conference expectations, then you at least need to have a plan in place to build one (including time frame) and funding to get it done.

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU Hockey

I don't think anyone's against growing Div 1 hockey. It's just that fans recognize that you need to have an arena solution in place if you are going to start up a program and apply to get in a conference. If you don't have an existing arena that is up to conference expectations, then you at least need to have a plan in place to build one (including time frame) and funding to get it done.

Agreed. But also take into consideration that the arena plan has been hinging on many factors, most of which centered around the Coyotes and their plans. Naturally if they were going to move on campus, that would be where ASU ended up. Also the football stadium construction I mentioned and the new basketball arena plans as well. Now from the best that I know and take it for what its worth, the plan right now is to go with an on campus midsize facility. It sounds like the Coyotes are looking to move towards Scottsdale and ASU has opted to do their own thing. The midsize arena would also help alleviate some of the congestion with wrestling needing space for meets as well as gymnastics.

As for the NCHC. It is disappointing, but it sounds like conference alignment may get shaken up again soon and if so, ASU just needs to be in position to have that conversation. But for the next few seasons they are in a decent place with scheduling.

But I understand the doubt until something concrete happens. But I will remain a glass half full guy regarding ASU hockey as I love the sport and my alma mater. Cheers!

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: ASU Hockey

I see your point and also Img's. I was a little surprised when I saw those teams playing at Oceanside. It is not a quality venue at all for this level of competition, even the thought the closeness of the action is pretty cool. However, it has been said by coach Powers that teams have been very welcoming of ASU and this certainly shows it. But I thought we were only using Oceanside for the first year and that obviously is not the case. We will need a new arena or plan soon to silence the doubters of the program. We also can't build a season ticket base when only 700 can go to a game. Turning away people is never a good idea. But I am confident in the admin and we will have good news soon.

I do question some of the negativity on the board towards the program. I would think growing the sport would be received better, but some here certainly don't feel that way. But I did meet some awesome folks from Michigan Tech last year that were out at our games in Glendale and look forward to welcoming those from Air Force, Michigan, Harvard, RPI and Colgate this year as well as the group that will be in Prescott Valley. It will be a lot of fun to have them here as we play in year two. I am very excited for it to get started.

Here's my question...where were all the diehard ASU Hockey fans for the the tournament last year?

 

[manurespreader]

Re: ASU Hockey

Great question. We should be fielding a much better team this year, but the schedule is so tough that we will take our lumps again. I am most interested in how we compete over a full season of quality opponents. There was a fun tweet that the school put out saying we have 3/4 of the frozen four teams from 2016 on our schedule, 9 top-25 teams and 3 conference champs. I'm not sure how that compares to others, but it is not too shabby for year two. Let me know what games you will be at and I will stop by and say hello.

What you don't seem to get is that at any given time number 45 beats number 10, and this happens on a regular basis. There is a very, very thin line separating almost all of college hockey. So saying you have all these top 25 teams means essentially nothing.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: ASU Hockey

What you don't seem to get is that at any given time number 45 beats number 10, and this happens on a regular basis. There is a very, very thin line separating almost all of college hockey. So saying you have all these top 25 teams means essentially nothing.

Dude what's your deal? He's simply making in innocuous observation and most likely it's true their SOS will be improved.

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU Hockey

Dude what's your deal? He's simply making in innocuous observation and most likely it's true their SOS will be improved.

Thanks, Slap Shot. I grew up in the northeast and spent many a weekend watching college hockey. I just chose to go to school at ASU and very excited to have college hockey. Something I never thought I would see. I have admitted it will be a tough road ahead to create a solid foundation, but for whatever reason, we can do nothing right in mspreader's eyes.


My point with our schedule was simply it is going to be tougher as we are playing a better schedule than last season and this is only year two of our program. I sure hope we hope we steal a few during the year, but know we won't be doing it on a "regular basis". It's not realistic at this point of the program. MTU, who had some awesome fans in Phoenix last year and one I followed closer since, has had two back-to-back good seasons, but only 1 NCAA tourney appearance and 27 losing seasons since the '81 season. Leads me to believe it is not that easy.

Enough of that. I'd rather focus on the season and the fun year two will be for us.

 

[sbkbghockey]

Re: ASU Hockey

Agreed. But also take into consideration that the arena plan has been hinging on many factors, most of which centered around the Coyotes and their plans. Naturally if they were going to move on campus, that would be where ASU ended up. Also the football stadium construction I mentioned and the new basketball arena plans as well. Now from the best that I know and take it for what its worth, the plan right now is to go with an on campus midsize facility. It sounds like the Coyotes are looking to move towards Scottsdale and ASU has opted to do their own thing. The midsize arena would also help alleviate some of the congestion with wrestling needing space for meets as well as gymnastics.

As for the NCHC. It is disappointing, but it sounds like conference alignment may get shaken up again soon and if so, ASU just needs to be in position to have that conversation. But for the next few seasons they are in a decent place with scheduling.

But I understand the doubt until something concrete happens. But I will remain a glass half full guy regarding ASU hockey as I love the sport and my alma mater. Cheers!

I agree with those two major points Revs, 1) I think it's prudent for ASU to see what the Coyotes are doing. If they intend to build a new arena in the Scottsdale area, that would be a fine off-campus facility for ASU Hockey. If they go in on the Coyotes plan ASU could possibly contribute by putting their own money into ASU locker facilities, coaches rooms, medical and training facilities within the area. Although off-campus, to recruit kids and say that they have those hockey facilities in the NHL/Coyotes area would be a huge recruiting hook. Downtown Scottsdale is a 6 mile drive about 10 mins from the heart of the ASU campus.

2) I think some of the articles out there exaggerate the disappointment of ASU not getting in the NCHC. The program can survive being an independent and being free of a conference can help ASU build a very competitive schedule. Being a name-brand school and in a sunny warm-weather location has a lot of benefits for teams traveling to Tempe and also give ASU a lot of pull to go out a build a solid home and away schedule. They can sit and wait until a conference approaches them with a good package or even wait to see what happens to UNLV or other west coast schools possibility interested in hockey. Although having a conference gives a program a sense of security as far as schedule creation, being an Indy and a major university is freeing and liberating and gives ASU the power to build the schedule.

 

[LordofBrewtown]

Re: ASU Hockey

Although having a conference gives a program a sense of security as far as schedule creation, being an Indy and a major university is freeing and liberating and gives ASU the power to build the schedule.

Yeah, the real problem is that without the conference their season if forced to end so early - which would be problematic if they surprised everyone and were good enough to qualify for the tournament since they'd have a long layoff.

It would be nice if they could line up the odd team out in Atlantic Hockey (or the Big Ten when Notre Dame joins next year) and get those teams scheduled for the last couple of weeks in February (or maybe even the 1st weekend of March depending what format the Big Ten goes with for their post season).

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU Hockey

I agree with those two major points Revs, 1) I think it's prudent for ASU to see what the Coyotes are doing. If they intend to build a new arena in the Scottsdale area, that would be a fine off-campus facility for ASU Hockey. If they go in on the Coyotes plan ASU could possibly contribute by putting their own money into ASU locker facilities, coaches rooms, medical and training facilities within the area. Although off-campus, to recruit kids and say that they have those hockey facilities in the NHL/Coyotes area would be a huge recruiting hook. Downtown Scottsdale is a 6 mile drive about 10 mins from the heart of the ASU campus.

2) I think some of the articles out there exaggerate the disappointment of ASU not getting in the NCHC. The program can survive being an independent and being free of a conference can help ASU build a very competitive schedule. Being a name-brand school and in a sunny warm-weather location has a lot of benefits for teams traveling to Tempe and also give ASU a lot of pull to go out a build a solid home and away schedule. They can sit and wait until a conference approaches them with a good package or even wait to see what happens to UNLV or other west coast schools possibility interested in hockey. Although having a conference gives a program a sense of security as far as schedule creation, being an Indy and a major university is freeing and liberating and gives ASU the power to build the schedule.

Good stuff. It seems the shared facility has slowed down in terms of conversation, but who really knows what is going on behind the scenes. The Coyotes have been very quiet on this front lately. I did hear there were on campus plans drawn up, but no announcement as of yet. My biggest concern with the NHL arena is the atmosphere. You get 3,000 in there and it feels like a ghost town. At least that has been the experience at Gila River so far. Hopefully we know something soon.

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU Hockey

Yeah, the real problem is that without the conference their season if forced to end so early - which would be problematic if they surprised everyone and were good enough to qualify for the tournament since they'd have a long layoff.

It would be nice if they could line up the odd team out in Atlantic Hockey (or the Big Ten when Notre Dame joins next year) and get those teams scheduled for the last couple of weeks in February (or maybe even the 1st weekend of March depending what format the Big Ten goes with for their post season).

Great point. While I certainly don't expect to make the NCAAs anytime soon, the back end of the season is lacking. We play W. Michigan on Feb. 3 & 4 and that is our last games against D1 competition. We host Simon Fraser the next week and then finish two weeks later against USA U-18. But in time I hope that will all work itself out.

We play in a very sub-standard rink for most of our games, but have had some nice teams decide to come out. Hope those trips go well for them and others come out while we figure out the arena stuff.