USCHO Fan Forum
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
- Thread starter schiegs
- Start date
I would agree. In the state of Minnesota we have high school hockey arenas bigger than many rinks in the AHA.Adding a few additional scholarships over the next couple of years should make for some stronger hockey so that is a positive. What other steps do you think will make this conference more competitive.
I think facilities are the biggest impediment for AHA teams. Of course, RIT is building a new rink. But I bet if you spoke to coaches in the league they would say facilities.
Ballroomblitz
New member
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
If reading the press release properly, sounds like they are replacing one team (Conn) while expanding by one additional team. Hopefully i read it wrong and twelve is the cap number, don't like gong beyond twelve for competitiveness reasons.
What are some thoughts on the best programs in Atlantic Hockey top to bottom? Who consistently fields a better line-up and show they wish to take things up a notch versus the status quoi.
Air Force, Niagara, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, RIT, Bentley, Robert Morris, Connecticut, Canisius, American International, Army, Sacred Heart.
If reading the press release properly, sounds like they are replacing one team (Conn) while expanding by one additional team. Hopefully i read it wrong and twelve is the cap number, don't like gong beyond twelve for competitiveness reasons.
What are some thoughts on the best programs in Atlantic Hockey top to bottom? Who consistently fields a better line-up and show they wish to take things up a notch versus the status quoi.
Air Force, Niagara, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, RIT, Bentley, Robert Morris, Connecticut, Canisius, American International, Army, Sacred Heart.
FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
That would also go a long way towards explaining either why Atlantic teams typically don't get home games. I think the 11-12 season was the first time in a long time that RPI had traveled to an Atlantic rink (Niagara was still CHA in 09-10 and we did visit them), and although we're going to Mercyhurst this year, the "away game" with Sacred Heart is going to be at a neutral site (mind you in Bridgeport, but still technically neutral). A team like Air Force can get away with it since Denver and CC are nearby with the next closest college hockey team over 500 miles away. Atlantic teams are starting to get some more clout with agreements to have 1 or 2 games in a NHL or AHL rink (RMU with Consol, SHU with Bridgeport, RIT with BCA, UAH although they're nWCHA has a couple games in Nashville, etc.), and are starting to be able to bring in the higher caliber teams, albeit at return trips that are very IMBA.
EDIT: Forgot about RPI traveling to Army a couple times. Granted, they were our former travel partner during the short time they were in the ECAC, so it makes sense.
I think facilities are the biggest impediment for AHA teams. Of course, RIT is building a new rink. But I bet if you spoke to coaches in the league they would say facilities.
That would also go a long way towards explaining either why Atlantic teams typically don't get home games. I think the 11-12 season was the first time in a long time that RPI had traveled to an Atlantic rink (Niagara was still CHA in 09-10 and we did visit them), and although we're going to Mercyhurst this year, the "away game" with Sacred Heart is going to be at a neutral site (mind you in Bridgeport, but still technically neutral). A team like Air Force can get away with it since Denver and CC are nearby with the next closest college hockey team over 500 miles away. Atlantic teams are starting to get some more clout with agreements to have 1 or 2 games in a NHL or AHL rink (RMU with Consol, SHU with Bridgeport, RIT with BCA, UAH although they're nWCHA has a couple games in Nashville, etc.), and are starting to be able to bring in the higher caliber teams, albeit at return trips that are very IMBA.
EDIT: Forgot about RPI traveling to Army a couple times. Granted, they were our former travel partner during the short time they were in the ECAC, so it makes sense.
Last edited:
blackswampboy
New member
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
The Three Rivers Classic at Consol gives RMU a bit of clout. built-in rivalry with Penn St., with a couple of outside opponents happy to travel to Pittsburgh every year...
Atlantic teams are starting to get some more clout with agreements to have 1 or 2 games in a NHL or AHL rink (RMU with Consol, SHU with Bridgeport, RIT with BCA, UAH although they're nWCHA has a couple games in Nashville, etc.), and are starting to be able to bring in the higher caliber teams, albeit at return trips that are very IMBA.
EDIT: Forgot about RPI traveling to Army a couple times. Granted, they were our former travel partner during the short time they were in the ECAC, so it makes sense.
The Three Rivers Classic at Consol gives RMU a bit of clout. built-in rivalry with Penn St., with a couple of outside opponents happy to travel to Pittsburgh every year...
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
I would argue:
Top: Air Force, Niagara, RIT, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst
Middle: Bentley, Canisius, Robert Morris, UConn
Bottom:AIC, Saced Heart, Army
This past year was kind of weird, with RIT, Army, Bentley not doing so well, and UConn doing better than expected.
I am sure there will be a lot of disagreement.
If reading the press release properly, sounds like they are replacing one team (Conn) while expanding by one additional team. Hopefully i read it wrong and twelve is the cap number, don't like gong beyond twelve for competitiveness reasons.
What are some thoughts on the best programs in Atlantic Hockey top to bottom? Who consistently fields a better line-up and show they wish to take things up a notch versus the status quoi.
Air Force, Niagara, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, RIT, Bentley, Robert Morris, Connecticut, Canisius, American International, Army, Sacred Heart.
I would argue:
Top: Air Force, Niagara, RIT, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst
Middle: Bentley, Canisius, Robert Morris, UConn
Bottom:AIC, Saced Heart, Army
This past year was kind of weird, with RIT, Army, Bentley not doing so well, and UConn doing better than expected.
I am sure there will be a lot of disagreement.
Last edited:
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
but Canisius won the title! rabble rabble
but Canisius won the title! rabble rabble
I would argue:
Top: Air Force, Niagara, RIT, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst
Middle: Bentley, Canisius, Robert Morris, UConn
Bottom:AIC, Saced Heart, Army
This past year was kind of weird, with RIT, Army, Bentley not doing so well, and UConn doing better than expected.
I am sure there will be a lot of disagreement.
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
I started to answer this question and then realized it is more difficult than it appears. But I'll try again anyway. Any team could arguably be moved up or down one category.
A: Air Force, Niagara, RIT
B: Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Bentley
C: Canisius, Army, (UConn)
D: AIC, Sacred Heart
I also do think that everyone is trying to move up from the status quo. The tide is rising.
I would argue:
Top: Air Force, Niagara, RIT, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst
Middle: Bentley, Canisius, Robert Morris, UConn
Bottom:AIC, Saced Heart, Army
This past year was kind of weird, with RIT, Army, Bentley not doing so well, and UConn doing better than expected.
I am sure there will be a lot of disagreement.
I started to answer this question and then realized it is more difficult than it appears. But I'll try again anyway. Any team could arguably be moved up or down one category.
A: Air Force, Niagara, RIT
B: Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Bentley
C: Canisius, Army, (UConn)
D: AIC, Sacred Heart
I also do think that everyone is trying to move up from the status quo. The tide is rising.
ExileOnDaytonStreet
Drunkard
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
Have there been formal applications yet? Or even statements about suitors moving to D-I?
Have there been formal applications yet? Or even statements about suitors moving to D-I?
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
There have been no applications yet. AHA said that St. Anselm and Univ of Rhode Island were interested, but URI is now saying they are not. http://ripr.org/post/uri-no-interest-varsity-hockey
Have there been formal applications yet? Or even statements about suitors moving to D-I?
There have been no applications yet. AHA said that St. Anselm and Univ of Rhode Island were interested, but URI is now saying they are not. http://ripr.org/post/uri-no-interest-varsity-hockey
ExileOnDaytonStreet
Drunkard
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
What I find curious about the whole thing is that if St. Anselm is finally waking up and bringing their program from D-II to D-I, when are the rest of the D-II programs going to wake up and realize that there probably wouldn't be much of a difference for them if they just went D-I? Assuming that they can schedule non-conference games with other small New England schools, how much different could the costs actually be to do what they're doing right now in D-I?
I suppose I've just never understood the incentive to play for nothing at the D-II level with a bunch of D-III schools added to the schedule when you could do almost the exact same thing at the D-I level without adding any extra scholarships.
What I find curious about the whole thing is that if St. Anselm is finally waking up and bringing their program from D-II to D-I, when are the rest of the D-II programs going to wake up and realize that there probably wouldn't be much of a difference for them if they just went D-I? Assuming that they can schedule non-conference games with other small New England schools, how much different could the costs actually be to do what they're doing right now in D-I?
I suppose I've just never understood the incentive to play for nothing at the D-II level with a bunch of D-III schools added to the schedule when you could do almost the exact same thing at the D-I level without adding any extra scholarships.
SNHUPenman
Member
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
Amen. That is what I have been saying for a decade.
What I find curious about the whole thing is that if St. Anselm is finally waking up and bringing their program from D-II to D-I, when are the rest of the D-II programs going to wake up and realize that there probably wouldn't be much of a difference for them if they just went D-I? Assuming that they can schedule non-conference games with other small New England schools, how much different could the costs actually be to do what they're doing right now in D-I?
I suppose I've just never understood the incentive to play for nothing at the D-II level with a bunch of D-III schools added to the schedule when you could do almost the exact same thing at the D-I level without adding any extra scholarships.
Amen. That is what I have been saying for a decade.
ExileOnDaytonStreet
Drunkard
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
(I say this, knowing full well that the experience of the MAAC hockey conference probably acts as a scarecrow to prevent stuff like that from happening)
I know, right? I mean, in that case we can forget talking about the AHA, the D-IIs can basically just create their own conference.Amen. That is what I have been saying for a decade.
(I say this, knowing full well that the experience of the MAAC hockey conference probably acts as a scarecrow to prevent stuff like that from happening)
What I find curious about the whole thing is that if St. Anselm is finally waking up and bringing their program from D-II to D-I, when are the rest of the D-II programs going to wake up and realize that there probably wouldn't be much of a difference for them if they just went D-I? Assuming that they can schedule non-conference games with other small New England schools, how much different could the costs actually be to do what they're doing right now in D-I?
I suppose I've just never understood the incentive to play for nothing at the D-II level with a bunch of D-III schools added to the schedule when you could do almost the exact same thing at the D-I level without adding any extra scholarships.
Is the all sports NE-10 better organized than the MAAC?
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
How long did the MAAC last??
Well, they've been around for at least two decades that I can think of, and not a whole lot in changes of membership that I know off the top of my head. Bryant University went D1, New Haven joined them and restarted their football program, and CW Post, who's a football only member, left for a couple of years to get pounded in the PSAC and opted to go back.Is the all sports NE-10 better organized than the MAAC?
How long did the MAAC last??
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
According to Wikipedia..
MAAC sponsored ice hockey from 1997 to 2003, at which point it changed its name to Atlantic Hockey.
According to Wikipedia..
MAAC sponsored ice hockey from 1997 to 2003, at which point it changed its name to Atlantic Hockey.
Well, they've been around for at least two decades that I can think of, and not a whole lot in changes of membership that I know off the top of my head. Bryant University went D1, New Haven joined them and restarted their football program, and CW Post, who's a football only member, left for a couple of years to get pounded in the PSAC and opted to go back.
How long did the MAAC last??
Ballroomblitz
New member
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
Adding a few additional (2) scholarships will definitely help in recruiting, any insight into how they are divied up. I understand there is no hard and set rules, and some clubs don't even max out on there allotment.
With 18 scholly's some of the clubs will divy then up by 12 full, the remaining 6 split amongst the remaining players in varying degree's of assistance. With 12 however i see the problem becomes a much bigger concern to manage, makes it even more difficult budget. Add two more at fourteen (14) over the next couple of years will help out a lot from that standpoint, but until they get to the full 18 it will be difficult to play against the big teams on an even keel.
Thoughts?
Some have mentioned facilities being the biggest obstacle, i think it has to run neck in neck with schollarship allotments.
Adding a few additional (2) scholarships will definitely help in recruiting, any insight into how they are divied up. I understand there is no hard and set rules, and some clubs don't even max out on there allotment.
With 18 scholly's some of the clubs will divy then up by 12 full, the remaining 6 split amongst the remaining players in varying degree's of assistance. With 12 however i see the problem becomes a much bigger concern to manage, makes it even more difficult budget. Add two more at fourteen (14) over the next couple of years will help out a lot from that standpoint, but until they get to the full 18 it will be difficult to play against the big teams on an even keel.
Thoughts?
Some have mentioned facilities being the biggest obstacle, i think it has to run neck in neck with schollarship allotments.
CornwallAce
Patron Saint of Defunct Teams
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
Anyone had the numbers for the AIC & St. A(and the rest of the DII playing DIIIs) budgets? This is where you could do the easiest comparison.
What I find curious about the whole thing is that if St. Anselm is finally waking up and bringing their program from D-II to D-I, when are the rest of the D-II programs going to wake up and realize that there probably wouldn't be much of a difference for them if they just went D-I? Assuming that they can schedule non-conference games with other small New England schools, how much different could the costs actually be to do what they're doing right now in D-I?
I suppose I've just never understood the incentive to play for nothing at the D-II level with a bunch of D-III schools added to the schedule when you could do almost the exact same thing at the D-I level without adding any extra scholarships.
Anyone had the numbers for the AIC & St. A(and the rest of the DII playing DIIIs) budgets? This is where you could do the easiest comparison.
TigerFan86-87
R!!!!...I!!!!!...T!!!!!!
Re: Atlantic Hockey Adds to Scholarship Limit, Mulls Expansion
The difference is $$$$. Membership dues (or whatever they are called) to the NCAA D-I and to D-I conferences are higher. Recruiting budgets are significantly higher (for those that want to compete at all).
What I find curious about the whole thing is that if St. Anselm is finally waking up and bringing their program from D-II to D-I, when are the rest of the D-II programs going to wake up and realize that there probably wouldn't be much of a difference for them if they just went D-I? Assuming that they can schedule non-conference games with other small New England schools, how much different could the costs actually be to do what they're doing right now in D-I?
I suppose I've just never understood the incentive to play for nothing at the D-II level with a bunch of D-III schools added to the schedule when you could do almost the exact same thing at the D-I level without adding any extra scholarships.
The difference is $$$$. Membership dues (or whatever they are called) to the NCAA D-I and to D-I conferences are higher. Recruiting budgets are significantly higher (for those that want to compete at all).