Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Listening to Alaska-Anchorage's radio broadcast online, and they just had the Seawolf AD Steve Cobb on.

In regard to the Big Ten hockey announcement: "They're going to play a 20-game schedule. They need us."

 

[Patman]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

HEA, ECAC and AHA should do likewise.

You're right... Maine should team up with the Atlantic Hockey schools... oh, that wasn't what you meant, was it? I love when people draw up these plans that favor them and tell the rest to take a hike.

edit: by the way, its to hockey east's advantage to maintain status quo... eastern hockey could dip a bit but there will be a competing brand... plus, the Big12 (you know what I mean) schools will have 14 dates to fill... hockey east has 7... who would be pressuring whom? Far as I see it we'll be able to have our choice of western+Big12 opponents because of all the open dates they'll need to fill. For all these schools, I'd say turnabout is fair play... your turn to come out east.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Listening to Alaska-Anchorage's radio broadcast online, and they just had the Seawolf AD Steve Cobb on.

In regard to the Big Ten hockey announcement: "They're going to play a 20-game schedule. They need us."

Not unless UAA is paying the way. MN's 14 dates would probably mean 4 games w/DU, 4 w/UND, 4 w/tUMD, and 2 w/SCSU (just going by possible gate revenues/strength of teams/locality).

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Not unless UAA is paying the way. MN's 14 dates would probably mean 4 games w/DU, 4 w/UND, 4 w/tUMD, and 2 w/SCSU (just going by possible gate revenues/strength of teams/locality).

By playing UAA, Minnesota would get an extra two home games. That will more than pay for the trip up there.

I highly doubt Minnesota would continue to schedule Denver, and I highly doubt Minnesota would want to schedule so many away games. Also, if North Dakota keeps their nickname, Minnesota will not play the Sioux. I could see them playing the in-state schools every year, but I don't know if they would be home and away series. As I said earlier, I think they would probably be 2 for 1s or 3 for 1s. My best guess is the Gopher's non conference schedule would consist of Bemidji, Duluth, St. Cloud and Mankato (probably 3 series at home, one on the road...maybe two and two). After that, up at UAA or UAF, and then 6 home games against whoever else will fill out the schedule (aka "cupcakes").

 

[The Rube]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

By playing UAA, Minnesota would get an extra two home games. That will more than pay for the trip up there.

I highly doubt Minnesota would continue to schedule Denver, and I highly doubt Minnesota would want to schedule so many away games. Also, if North Dakota keeps their nickname, Minnesota will not play the Sioux. I could see them playing the in-state schools every year, but I don't know if they would be home and away series. As I said earlier, I think they would probably be 2 for 1s or 3 for 1s. My best guess is the Gopher's non conference schedule would consist of Bemidji, Duluth, St. Cloud and Mankato (probably 3 series at home, one on the road...maybe two and two). After that, up at UAA or UAF, and then 6 home games against whoever else will fill out the schedule (aka "cupcakes").

I mentioned DU because of PWR considerations.

And with UAA not being a conference opponent, will that 2-game thing still ring true? I dunno. And I would guess that money talks, and MN will find a way to play UND. The revenues are just too good.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

I mentioned DU because of PWR considerations.

And with UAA not being a conference opponent, will that 2-game thing still ring true? I dunno. And I would guess that money talks, and MN will find a way to play UND. The revenues are just too good.

An Alaska trip is an Alaska trip, it wouldn't matter if they were in conference. For example, North Dakota got a 2-game exemption this year when we went up to Alaska, and it was for their tournament. We played 1 game against UAA and 1 against UAF.

If Minnesota plays UND in hockey and we are still the Sioux, it completely tarnishes what the University of Minnesota has stood for over the past 10 (?) years. I don't think the higher-ups would allow it. I would hope they could find someway to continue the rivalry, but I have resigned myself to the idea that it will not.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

An Alaska trip is an Alaska trip, it wouldn't matter if they were in conference. For example, North Dakota got a 2-game exemption this year when we went up to Alaska, and it was for their tournament. We played 1 game against UAA and 1 against UAF.

If Minnesota plays UND in hockey and we are still the Sioux, it completely tarnishes what the University of Minnesota has stood for over the past 10 (?) years. I don't think the higher-ups would allow it. I would hope they could find someway to continue the rivalry, but I have resigned myself to the idea that it will not.

MN made that anti-Sioux policy with much fanfare, and IMO it was to be PC, nothing more. It wouldn't be profitable to play UND in anything but hockey, frankly. The "conference obligations" gave them an easy out. I just cannot see them NOT playing the Sioux in hockey, UND having a new name or not.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

MN made that anti-Sioux policy with much fanfare, and IMO it was to be PC, nothing more. It wouldn't be profitable to play UND in anything but hockey, frankly. The "conference obligations" gave them an easy out. I just cannot see them NOT playing the Sioux in hockey, UND having a new name or not.

Completely agreed about the reasonings behind it. I just think Minnesota will want the Sioux for a 2 for 1 (maybe even 3 for 1), and there is no way North Dakota will accept that.

I still like my Western Beanpot idea, but I think most people know that by now

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

I don't know if you are serious or not but it is not hilarious to see schools fold up their hockey program.

I would. i will NEVER cheer for Penn State. I would root for NoDak over Penn State. They are the school that brought this abortion of a conference on us. I already hate Wisconsin so I can't hate them any more for unleashing that fat bastard of an AD on us.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Completely agreed about the reasonings behind it. I just think Minnesota will want the Sioux for a 2 for 1 (maybe even 3 for 1), and there is no way North Dakota will accept that.

I still like my Western Beanpot idea, but I think most people know that by now

The boosters would crucify the school upside down if they dropped the UND series completely.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

I don't know if you are serious or not but it is not hilarious to see schools fold up their hockey program.

It isn't hard to root for a team to fold that hasn't started playing yet. If you believe that it will have a negative on college hockey, maybe it isn't hilarious, but I would get behind that.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

You're right... Maine should team up with the Atlantic Hockey schools... oh, that wasn't what you meant, was it? I love when people draw up these plans that favor them and tell the rest to take a hike.

edit: by the way, its to hockey east's advantage to maintain status quo... eastern hockey could dip a bit but there will be a competing brand... plus, the Big12 (you know what I mean) schools will have 14 dates to fill... hockey east has 7... who would be pressuring whom? Far as I see it we'll be able to have our choice of western+Big12 opponents because of all the open dates they'll need to fill. For all these schools, I'd say turnabout is fair play... your turn to come out east.

No, that isn't what I meant, but thanks for playing.

BTHC won't be looking to Hockey East to fill its schedule. They will look to the Bowling Greens, Michigan Techs and AHA teams to fill their barns. Most of the other teams (Denver, NoDak, CC) already come east to play. The BTHC will not come east unless they want to, and why the heck would they want to?

 

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

Correction, those schools (Tech, BGSU, etc) will be chosen until they get decent and have the ability to beat the b10 schools.

NMU's president had talked with a program director for Fox Sports Detroit (or another network) about getting more games televised. The program director responded that he would love to get the 'Cats on TV more, but we are too good and could actually beat the "big name" schools they push to sell advertising and get ratings.

And I get the feeling that b10 schools feel the same way. I'm pretty sure Red Berenson will be elated to never have to make a plane or bus ride to the UP again. Ever.

Ever since leaving the WCHA, how many times has Michigan or Michigan State darkened the doorstep IN Colorado Springs? IN Grand Forks? IN Denver?

Hell, when is the last time Michigan played in Houghton?

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

A couple of points.
1. I think there will be a few games that the BTHC plays outside the league with existing pwr teams but it's likely that there will be additional Big Ten teams down the road so it won't be a lot.
2. There are definitely a few teams considering dropping hockey as a D1 sport. I would guess the chances are less than 50% though. They are going to wait and see how things shake out. The financial situation for many schools is pretty bad.
3. Traveling East for games will not change much at first but as time goes by I think the left out teams will have no choice. I think more games with eastern teams would be good for college hockey.
I'm not a fan of playing big ten teams, but they will offer a big payday to do so. However if they lose, they most likely will look for someone they can beat.

 

[yooper(UP) hockey]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

The WCHA and CCHA should combine when the big ten forms:

WCHA

West

CC tigers
Denver Pioneers
Alaska Ankorage
Alaska Fairbanks
UNO
Bemdji
St Cloud
UND Bulldogs
Mankato Mavericks

East
Michigan Tech
NMU Wildcats
LSSU Lakers
Ferris State
Western Michigan
Miami Ohio
Bowling Green
Notre Dame
UAH

 

[bronconick]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

I'm just continually blown away by the disconnect between the BTN and (especially college) hockey television reality. After two years they're going to do the math and realize that showing reruns of the 1969 Michigan-Ohio State football game gets higher ratings than a Michigan-Ohio State live hockey game without having to drive to Ann Arbor and set up cameras and production.

 

[Tiggsy]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

I don't know if you are serious or not but it is not hilarious to see schools fold up their hockey program.

Read the rest of my post. I prefaced saying I don't want it to happen and the only part that would be good to see is the league admins scramble figuring out what to do. It was just a way to set things right after they are about to screw them up badly.

 

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

The WCHA and CCHA should combine when the big ten forms:

Swap UAf for UAH and you have yourself a deal. I want my two game exemption AND I don't want to lose the sweetheart deal UAf gave the CCHA in order to join.

 

[bigmrg74]

Right now, who else out west is really praying that the university of British Columbia decides to go to the NCAA and gets that waiver to start an NCAA D1 hockey team there? A big Canadian school that's willing to play nice with some of the USA schools would be a big shot in the arm after the BTHC happens.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference Pt II - The Exodus

On DirecTV, the BTN has 5 channels, so in theory they could air games live on different stations. Realistically, the only sport they use the extra channels for is football.

I wouldn't guess more than one of those extra channels is a full-time bandwidth allocation, though... I'd assume the rest come out of the pool set aside for part-time needs (the various sports league packages, Europa Leage, etc).