Big Ten Hockey Conference

[thebrain]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

So did the WCHA know in advance that this would happen and thus took 2 teams to help ease some of the pain of losing teams to the BTHC?

Good point, it wouldn't suprise me if they did. Now when and if Minnesota and Wisconsin leave the WCHA do they get replaced by potential up start programs such as MSU-Moorhead or possibly U-W Superior?

I think you're onto something. Minnesota State University Moorhead has openly talked about adding hockey and I remember articles with the A.D. saying the landscape will be changing. I think most people assumed what did happen, but now it sounds like there's more to it.

 

[NMU8405]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I could definatly see USC or UCLA or Stanford or all of them making the jump to D-1 hockey. They certainly have the money and support and local talent to make the jump. That would also save the Alaska Programs add in Boise State and you would have a conference.

Gonzaga has had a hockey program running for a few years now, except they had chain link fence as their "glass" the last video I saw.

 

[moose97]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

So did the WCHA know in advance that this would happen and thus took 2 teams to help ease some of the pain of losing teams to the BTHC?

I don't know about the WCHA's motives, re: BTHC, but Nebraska-Omaha seemed to make it clear that they were thinking long-term when deciding to move. Read into that what you will.

 

[NMU8405]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

So, I hate the "conference realignment" threads, but if there ever was a time to break out ideas, it's now. I think the CCHA is the biggest question mark, as the remaining 10 teams in the WCHA could stick together fairly well. So, looking at the possibilities:

WCHA
Alaska-Anchorage
Bemidji State
Colorado College
Denver
Michigan Tech
Minnesota State
Minnesota-Duluth
Nebraska-Omaha
North Dakota
St. Cloud State

CCHA
Alaska
Bowling Green
Ferris State
Lake Superior State
Miami
Northern Michigan
Notre Dame
Western Michigan

Other geographic teams that might consider conference moves:
Alabama-Huntsville
Canisius
Mercyhurst
Niagara
RIT
Robert Morris

So, questions that immediatly pop into my head: 1) Can the CCHA survive as that version of an 8 team conference? 2) How true are the rumors we have heard about BGSU, FSU, LSSU and WMU's futures? 3) Would Miami and Notre Dame (the biggest losers IMHO in the CCHA) try to find another conference willing to take them? 4) Which of the "other" schools listed above would benefit, which would suffer? Specifically, would a school like Niagara, who seemed to move to AHA reluctantly, aggressively try to get into the CCHA, and would this spell doom for UAH?

No, the CCHA can not operate with that 8 team format. Its a large split from ND, Miami and Bowling Green with the "Northern" schools in Michigan. Secondly, I dont see Notre Dame and Miami staying if they cant play the big boys of Michigan and Michigan State, or Ohio State 2-4 times a season. Plus, lets face it....is Miami going to get pumped to play Ferris 4+ times a season?

With the loss of Michigan/State in the CCHA, schools like LSSU, Ferris, and NMU lose that draw. There would be now way in hell that Michigan would travel to the U.P. out of "good faith" to play NMU in a non league game. If the CCHA were to survive, itd be with the addition of a few schools posted above, and the addition of Grand Valley. You'd have to look at a combination of MAAC schools and GLIAC schools for the league to survive. Id really like to see NMU be pro-active here in this before the **** hits the fan, but our A.D. doesnt even know how to check his email, there is no way NMU is doing anything to combat this.

 

[GopherBigGuy911]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

No, the CCHA can not operate with that 8 team format. Its a large split from ND, Miami and Bowling Green with the "Northern" schools in Michigan. Secondly, I dont see Notre Dame and Miami staying if they cant play the big boys of Michigan and Michigan State, or Ohio State 2-4 times a season. Plus, lets face it....is Miami going to get pumped to play Ferris 4+ times a season?

With the loss of Michigan/State in the CCHA, schools like LSSU, Ferris, and NMU lose that draw. There would be now way in hell that Michigan would travel to the U.P. out of "good faith" to play NMU in a non league game. If the CCHA were to survive, itd be with the addition of a few schools posted above, and the addition of Grand Valley. You'd have to look at a combination of MAAC schools and GLIAC schools for the league to survive. Id really like to see NMU be pro-active here in this before the **** hits the fan, but our A.D. doesnt even know how to check his email, there is no way NMU is doing anything to combat this.

"Plus, lets face it....is Miami going to get pumped to play Ferris 4+ times a season?" Absolutly they would if it meant an easier road to the Frozen 4

 

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Yeah, but just what is Miami/ND going to do if they're not in the big10 conference? They aren't going to leave to form ther own conference, and they cannot just "independant it" and hope to make the tourney. Losing UM, MSU, and tOSU makes it a very easy road to the NCAA.

The best bet is going to be to keep the CCHA together. Even if it's in a reduced capacity.


BUT, i don't quite see the instant formation of the BTHC. Penn State is going to likely compete in the CCHA to "test" the waters. A great way to transition from ACHA to NCAA.

By the time an arena is built, and they're playing at the D1 level will be, what, 2013 or 2014? You looking at a BTHC by 2016 at the earliest...

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Once the BTHC comes to be as conference, all bets are off in terms of the survivors, IMHO. Don't think that the survivor schools are just going to sit there and take it.

Don't be surprised if other schools from various conferences come together to put up a rival for the big 10.

 

[moose97]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

No, the CCHA can not operate with that 8 team format. Its a large split from ND, Miami and Bowling Green with the "Northern" schools in Michigan. Secondly, I dont see Notre Dame and Miami staying if they cant play the big boys of Michigan and Michigan State, or Ohio State 2-4 times a season. Plus, lets face it....is Miami going to get pumped to play Ferris 4+ times a season?

With the loss of Michigan/State in the CCHA, schools like LSSU, Ferris, and NMU lose that draw. There would be now way in hell that Michigan would travel to the U.P. out of "good faith" to play NMU in a non league game. If the CCHA were to survive, itd be with the addition of a few schools posted above, and the addition of Grand Valley. You'd have to look at a combination of MAAC schools and GLIAC schools for the league to survive. Id really like to see NMU be pro-active here in this before the **** hits the fan, but our A.D. doesnt even know how to check his email, there is no way NMU is doing anything to combat this.

I see little motivation for the WCHA to expand outside their geographic boarders to add Miami, and even adding, say, Notre Dame and NMU seems a stretch. Going back to a 10 team conference might be considered a bonus. Maybe the bigger question raised is the health of certain schools, and specifically LSSU when it comes to NMU's future. I too see the problems of travel between the UP and Kalamazoo, let alone down to Ohio or Indiana. Does LSSU's problems immediatly jepordize NMU's program too? Would the WCHA "save" the Wildcats, as they saved Bemidji?

So many questions, and PSU still isn't a done deal...

 

[NMU8405]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Once the BTHC comes to be as conference, all bets are off in terms of the survivors, IMHO. Don't think that the survivor schools are just going to sit there and take it.

Don't be surprised if other schools from various conferences come together to put up a rival for the big 10.

I dont see that happening. A lot of these schools operate on a small budget. Plus, Hockey East, and ECAC dont seem to be too greatly affected by this. I cant see any of those schools leaving. The WCHA will survive on the NoDak's Denver's and the CC's. Lets face it, if the BTHC forms, the CCHA has Miami, Johnny Come lately Notre Dame, and Northern as its top programs. Not to bash my own school here, but its crap.

 

[4four4]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I see little motivation for the WCHA to expand outside their geographic boarders to add Miami, and even adding, say, Notre Dame and NMU seems a stretch. Going back to a 10 team conference might be considered a bonus. Maybe the bigger question raised is the health of certain schools, and specifically LSSU when it comes to NMU's future. I too see the problems of travel between the UP and Kalamazoo, let alone down to Ohio or Indiana. Does LSSU's problems immediatly jepordize NMU's program too? Would the WCHA "save" the Wildcats, as they saved Bemidji?

So many questions, and PSU still isn't a done deal...

I seriously doubt anybody from INCH would put their puts on the line for something so radical as a big time school like Penn State announcing they are joining the icebox.

Done deal. Onto the BTHC.

 

[4four4]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I dont see that happening. A lot of these schools operate on a small budget. Plus, Hockey East, and ECAC dont seem to be too greatly affected by this. I cant see any of those schools leaving. The WCHA will survive on the NoDak's Denver's and the CC's. Lets face it, if the BTHC forms, the CCHA has Miami, Johnny Come lately Notre Dame, and Northern as its top programs. Not to bash my own school here, but its crap.

The East will be effected because the best players who want to play college hockey will play in the Big Ten.

 

[NMU8405]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

The East will be effected because the best players who want to play college hockey will play in the Big Ten.

I meant Conference shuffling wise. With the addition of new teams, talent is spread thin more and more.

 

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Moose, I doubt it. NMU's AD did leave the door open during discussions, but I don't see the WCHA throwing a lifeline to NMU, even if we ask for it. Now is the time for NMU to continue to make noise and be the thorn in Anastos's JLA party and make itself valuable.


NMU8405 is right though, NMU isn't a flagship team to hinge the CCHA on.

 

[GopherBigGuy911]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

The East will be effected because the best players who want to play college hockey will play in the Big Ten.

With the exception of Ohio State... don't the best players already play in the Big Ten?
Minnesota (except recently), Wisconsin, Michigan and to an extent Michigan State already get the top players.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

No, the CCHA can not operate with that 8 team format. Its a large split from ND, Miami and Bowling Green with the "Northern" schools in Michigan. Secondly, I dont see Notre Dame and Miami staying if they cant play the big boys of Michigan and Michigan State, or Ohio State 2-4 times a season. Plus, lets face it....is Miami going to get pumped to play Ferris 4+ times a season?

With the loss of Michigan/State in the CCHA, schools like LSSU, Ferris, and NMU lose that draw. There would be now way in hell that Michigan would travel to the U.P. out of "good faith" to play NMU in a non league game. If the CCHA were to survive, itd be with the addition of a few schools posted above, and the addition of Grand Valley. You'd have to look at a combination of MAAC schools and GLIAC schools for the league to survive. Id really like to see NMU be pro-active here in this before the **** hits the fan, but our A.D. doesnt even know how to check his email, there is no way NMU is doing anything to combat this.

Believe me, its nice to be wanted, but right now, I don't really see where GVSU gets the money for D1 hockey short of myself hitting the next big 100million+ lotto pot. GVSU would have space for it, and we are likely to get a new basketball arena now that we have our turf building for indoor track. But right now they're still scrapping together the funds for a new library that's badly needed, and they're committed to putting shovels in the dirt for photo ops this fall. Then another addition/expansion of Lubbers. We averaged over 11,000 in the regular season last year, and Lubbers Stadium only has 8,500 seats. Plus there's plans of moving the outdoor track to around the soccer field so that they can lower the field at lubbers to make it more of a bowl. Just getting the capital around to get some of the physical property needed for college hockey would be pretty tough to come by right now, in any short order.

 

[brianvf]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

The East will be effected because the best players who want to play college hockey will play in the Big Ten.

Haha.

 

[HoosierBBall_GopherHockey]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I could definatly see USC or UCLA or Stanford or all of them making the jump to D-1 hockey. They certainly have the money and support and local talent to make the jump. That would also save the Alaska Programs add in Boise State and you would have a conference.

Well, looking on the bright side for Boise State, at least they could stop arguing for a playoff.

 

[Dude Love]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I meant Conference shuffling wise. With the addition of new teams, talent is spread thin more and more.

New team.

And there shouldn't have to be much shuffling. The WCHA and CCHA stay the same except the CCHA would get UAH and MTU to make two 9-team leagues.

EDIT: Except I honestly forgot about NMU. Sorry, hillbillies, you're out again.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Fml...

5-4

 

[kingdobbs]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Well its finally happened. Penn State is set to announce the formation of a varsity hockey team. That will make six Big Ten schools that offer hockey. The only question is what Notre Dame does in everything other than football, a move out of the Big East would help most of their other sports, and is a natural choice in hockey...

There's pretty much only one league that Notre Dame could join that would improve* their standing in most other sports (such as would matter, since I don't figure they give a **** where their runners and swimmers play), and it ain't the Big Ten.

*Which would be a marginal improvement at best, and depending on your opinion of them with regards to basketball and Notre Dame's current home, more likely a slight downshift.