Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

[solovsfett]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Well, watching the Big 10 Post game show after Minnesota vs Michigan, and to no surprise, the on air guy said that the Big Ten should move forward with a league, and if some teams lose a program, oh well. Also, they should push for UCONN to join.

UCONN joining the B10? if that's what he meant I think these guys want this to happen desperately and there may be a problem we're unaware of that they keep mentioning additional non-B10 teams. Notre Dame being one of them.

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

So when are they going to rename it the Big 20?

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

The thing is, Ohio State is not going to be beat all the time. They're going to get better recruits in the BTHC, and will compete at a higher level. Penn State will eventually get there as well, but it will take awhile.

Exactly.

Denver, North Dakota, Notre Dame and Miami stand to lose most of their best recruits to OSU and PSU, as well as the other Big 10 Programs. That's why I think it's imperative that these schools get together either in a revamped WCHA or as their own conference to offset Big 10 dominance.

 

[sbkbghockey]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

As far as OSU, If there is a BTHC in a few seasons, I think PSU will overtake them quickly with recruiting, OSU proves that bigger is not always better. They'd recruit better in a 5,000-6,000 seat building rather than the empty cavern they play in now.

The Big-$$$ network's postgame show was how i fear the Big Ten looks at things, they mentioned that some of the small programs might have to go for a BTHC and better for College Hockey in the long run.

Another recent conversation in the media happened last night during the Fighting Sioux-Notre Dame broadcast on the Fighting Sioux Sports Network and Fox College Sports. The broadcasters were talking to Paul Kelly about expansion and he mentioned that besides Penn State there's 4-5 other programs seriously considering hockey. PSU and the BTHC and Kelly is looking for the best interests of all programs. Jeff Jackson's idea was brought up- he thinks the WCHA and CCHA could combine into a 24 team league with four divisions of six teams, and the the Big Ten teams in one division.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Jackson's idea was brought up- he thinks the WCHA and CCHA could combine into a 24 team league with four divisions of six teams, and the the Big Ten teams in one division.

How many autobids? And what would the three other divisions look like? And how would non-divisional play work?

 

[ts8801]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

How many autobids? And what would the three other divisions look like? And how would non-divisional play work?

I love the question but how the hell would he know, that would be something they work on when they get there. I love how worked up everyone on this site is getting. The conference of doom is either going to happen or not, anything we say, do or think isnt going to change anything.

 

[hanasoni]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Exactly.

Denver, North Dakota, Notre Dame and Miami stand to lose most of their best recruits to OSU and PSU, as well as the other Big 10 Programs. That's why I think it's imperative that these schools get together either in a revamped WCHA or as their own conference to offset Big 10 dominance.

Now we have someone that I fully respect trying to dissect the leagues once again, taking care of their team and the heck with other teams. Kinda like the bthc mentality, just one level below. So what do the 'other' schools do (Lake State, Bemidji, Ferris, Western Michigan, UNO, etc) do????

 

[uaafanblog]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Hansoni,
Puck Swami's idea for a BHHC to counter the BTHC is full on only concerned about those teams he believe would fit into the BHHC. Unlike the BTHC moguls who have expressed an ongoing concern for the impact(s) of the BTHC, this BHHC effort doesn't.

That's why we're calling it the BHHC (ButtHurt Hockey Conference). It's all about spite and trying to "get theirs" in retaliation for the BTHC. It's sort of like saying, "hey we told you the BTHC would destroy the college hockey world but since you didn't listen to us we're forming the BHHC and tahell with the consequences."

They're scared of becoming the "mid-majors" of the D1 hockey world without realizing that they already are the "mid-majors" of D1 hockey.

Ongoing success in Division 1 hockey (all college sports actually) is partially predicated on a pre-weighted system. The biggest names attract the best recruits. The differential between the heavily weighted programs (BTHC schools) and the BHHC schools may increase slightly. It may not. There are arguments that can be made either way.

I do however wish those "mid-major" schools the utmost luck with their effort. It will ultimately help create a situation where geographically isolated schools like UAA and UAF can offer some pretty nice incentives for potential members in their new conference. I already know the Big Ten schools love to come to Alaska to earn a couple of extra home games that are exempt from the 34 game limit. With 14 non-conference games to fill their schedule, I'm quite sure the new UAA/UAF organized conference already has more to offer to Swami's imagined "mid-majors" that a DU led BHHC doesn't. Like um ... "Join the NWHC and you not only get extra home games but we'll ensure you get games against BTHC schools on national TV."

BHHC advocates need to remember they won't be the only fledgling league trying to get new members. What exactly do they have to offer in terms of incentive to add members? Um ... "we all won a bunch of national championships and frozen four appearances"? Yeah ok.

 

[Dirty]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

BHHC advocates need to remember they won't be the only fledgling league trying to get new members. What exactly do they have to offer in terms of incentive to add members? Um ... "we all won a bunch of national championships and frozen four appearances"? Yeah ok.

Playing us won't destroy your PWR.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Now we have someone that I fully respect trying to dissect the leagues once again, taking care of their team and the heck with other teams. Kinda like the bthc mentality, just one level below. So what do the 'other' schools do (Lake State, Bemidji, Ferris, Western Michigan, UNO, etc) do????

Disband.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Did anyone else catch the Red Berenson clip during the game, where he mentioned that if a bunch of schools were going to close up their hockey programs because of the exodus, Michigan would be less likely to join a Big 10. I'm paraphrasing, but that was the jist of it.

Michigan has a whole boatload of issues with their football program and this might not be the best timing for a lateral revenue move in hockey.

The other issue that appears to be raising its head is Minnesota seems to be having attendance issues for the first time ever. It may just turn out that the BTHC isn't going to be the massive revenue windfall that everyone was hoping for. For instance, if long time season ticket holders in Minnesota and Wisconsin decide to give up their tickets because of the prices and the BTHC isn't enough of a carrot to keep them around.

BTW. I'm totally in favor of a 24 team conference if that's what it takes to keep the big boys around. Having Michigan & Michigan State come into your barn once every four years would be good for college hockey. But the problem is that if you play every team in your cluster four times in only leaves four series against other teams in the conference.

BTHC
PSU
OSU
MN
MI
WI
MSU

MIHC
LSSU
MTU
WMU
UNM
FSU
AK

MMHC
ND
MIA
BG
UND
DU
CC

MNHC
UMD
UNO
BSU
SCSU
MSU-M
UAA

 

[Rochester]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Rochester Institute of Technology!!!

big 10!

 

[LtPowers]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Um ... "we all won a bunch of national championships and frozen four appearances"? Yeah ok.

I dunno, that's pretty good.


Powers &8^]

 

[pinch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Did anyone else catch the Red Berenson clip during the game, where he mentioned that if a bunch of schools were going to close up their hockey programs because of the exodus, Michigan would be less likely to join a Big 10. I'm paraphrasing, but that was the jist of it.

I saw the interview and I took it as HE... not Michigan, would then think it is probably not so good for college hockey

 

[streaker]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Did anyone else catch the Red Berenson clip during the game, where he mentioned that if a bunch of schools were going to close up their hockey programs because of the exodus, Michigan would be less likely to join a Big 10. I'm paraphrasing, but that was the jist of it.

Michigan has a whole boatload of issues with their football program and this might not be the best timing for a lateral revenue move in hockey.

Berenson knows what is best for the CCHA, college hockey etc. and it isn't the BTHC. How much leverage he'll have is the question. I also don't think that the football program woes are related. Michigan's hockey program is self funded and probably would continue to be. So far the RR experiment hasn't hurt football attendance.

The other issue that appears to be raising its head is Minnesota seems to be having attendance issues for the first time ever. It may just turn out that the BTHC isn't going to be the massive revenue windfall that everyone was hoping for. For instance, if long time season ticket holders in Minnesota and Wisconsin decide to give up their tickets because of the prices and the BTHC isn't enough of a carrot to keep them around.

This is a question for teams that have those larger arenas. Ohio State has an issue with attendance regardless of whether Michigan or another big name rolls in.
Michigan doesn't sell out Yost every night either, although it is better to have 500 vacant seats versus 2-3000. Some of it is the attractiveness of the product, some the attractiveness of the opponent. I doubt that the BTHC will help.

 

[4four4]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

The main benefit of the BTHC happens to be potential new schools joining the icebox. Otherwise, why start up a team without a potential conference to play in?

 

[scsutommyboy]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Now we have someone that I fully respect trying to dissect the leagues once again, taking care of their team and the heck with other teams. Kinda like the bthc mentality, just one level below. So what do the 'other' schools do (Lake State, Bemidji, Ferris, Western Michigan, UNO, etc) do????

What will they do? Once all the small schools leave their will only be about 30 teams left in college hockey and it will suck ***!

 

[moose97]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

The other issue that appears to be raising its head is Minnesota seems to be having attendance issues for the first time ever. It may just turn out that the BTHC isn't going to be the massive revenue windfall that everyone was hoping for. For instance, if long time season ticket holders in Minnesota and Wisconsin decide to give up their tickets because of the prices and the BTHC isn't enough of a carrot to keep them around.

Minnesota is going to confront this issue head on no matter what:

http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=204974469

MIHC
LSSU
MTU
WMU
UNM
FSU
AK

It's NMU, dope.

 

[scsutommyboy]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Did anyone else catch the Red Berenson clip during the game, where he mentioned that if a bunch of schools were going to close up their hockey programs because of the exodus, Michigan would be less likely to join a Big 10. I'm paraphrasing, but that was the jist of it.

Michigan has a whole boatload of issues with their football program and this might not be the best timing for a lateral revenue move in hockey.

The other issue that appears to be raising its head is Minnesota seems to be having attendance issues for the first time ever. It may just turn out that the BTHC isn't going to be the massive revenue windfall that everyone was hoping for. For instance, if long time season ticket holders in Minnesota and Wisconsin decide to give up their tickets because of the prices and the BTHC isn't enough of a carrot to keep them around.

BTW. I'm totally in favor of a 24 team conference if that's what it takes to keep the big boys around. Having Michigan & Michigan State come into your barn once every four years would be good for college hockey. But the problem is that if you play every team in your cluster four times in only leaves four series against other teams in the conference.

BTHC
PSU
OSU
MN
MI
WI
MSU

MIHC
LSSU
MTU
WMU
UNM
FSU
AK

MMHC
ND
MIA
BG
UND
DU
CC

MNHC
UMD
UNO
BSU
SCSU
MSU-M
UAA

Now why should the money rich DU,CC and ND not get a alaska school and the smaller less funded programs should pay to fly up there?

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

The other issue that appears to be raising its head is Minnesota seems to be having attendance issues for the first time ever. It may just turn out that the BTHC isn't going to be the massive revenue windfall that everyone was hoping for. For instance, if long time season ticket holders in Minnesota and Wisconsin decide to give up their tickets because of the prices and the BTHC isn't enough of a carrot to keep them around.

Minnesota fans, for the most part (and this is purely anecdotal so YMMV), don't care about OSU, PSU, or Michigan State. They care about UND, UMD, SCSU, and UW (among others). Hell, at the Michigan game this weekend, the buzz was barely there. It was NOTHING like a game against the aforementioned WCHA opponents. This is supposedly our biggest non-conference opponent and it was bereft of the atmosphere a WCHA game brings.

While I think most Minnesotans are resigned to the fact that the BTHC is somewhat of an inevitability, this isn't going to help attendance one iota. Whether it hurts it is up for debate. I tend to lean more to the side that believes this will only hurt attendance. Adding to that, Minnesota's plan to further squeeze the season ticket holders and I see major problems for this school. Winning will solve most of them of course, but then again, maybe it won't.