Big Ten Hockey Conference

[moose97]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

6 teams, 1 conference. Count on it...

There's the thing - I was always in the "believe it when I see it" on Penn State. Now, we keep hearing about Indiana and Illinois, etc. I can't help but think that one or more additional Big 10 teams could start up before a decision is made. If that is the case, it is a done deal. If no one else steps up? Well, then we'll see.

 

[BogeyPro]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I wish they would make three conferences of 8-9 depending on who is allowed to join, leaving spots open for new teams and allowing the bt teams to play each other through ooc games/conf games. allowing for a big ten cup or something total pts etc, conferences could look something like this, this will give the bt teams the most opps to get into the tourney, which i think they would want.

mn, wisc, und, den, cc, scsu, bsu, mankato, and alahunts (takes place of alaskan school) nine total room for expansion.

mich, mich st, mtech, lssu, nmich, wmich, umd aanch 8 total room for expansion

osu, psu, miami, uno, bg, ferris, nd, alaska, 8 with room for expansion


now don't tear me apart just an idea....

 

[blockski]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

All of those scenarios(and others that have been proposed) sound great to those of us who know college hockey and who would approach this with the fans in mind as well as worrying about old rivalries and smaller schools.

Nothing that the Big Ten has ever done leads me to believe that they will do anything other than what benefits their member schools the most.

That may be true, but assuming that such motivation is automatically bad for the rest of college hockey is naive, I think.

College hockey schools have been acting in their own self-interest for a long time, and the result has been a small, insular group of schools with no room to grow or even to sustain some long-standing programs. Their proposal to help grow the game was CHA, rather than some significant change like reducing the number of conference games and increasing OOC opportunities.

It's a tragedy of the commons, really. Everybody wants in to the WCHA or CCHA, and while each new member might be good for the individual in the short term, it's highly problematic in the long term.

One thing that the Big Ten schools have is $ and they won't need travel partners.

I believe that there will be a 6 team BTHC sooner than later. I just don't see Delaney & Co. losing any sleep over the fate of WMU or LSSU or Mankato or anyone else. I also doubt that they care even a little about the rivalries with the Sioux. The Big Ten will just leave it up to each member to choose their non-con rivals.

To be frank, this isn't a bad thing.

First, the BTHC won't happen until 2014 at the earliest. If WMU and LSSU fold before then, that wasn't the BTHC's fault - those were programs on shaky ground from the start.

And the schools should absolutely schedule who they want. Again, if you force a structural change in college hockey and have more OOC games, then scheduling these games is a) much easier, and b) mutually beneficial to all teams.

IMHO, none of these power/revenue sharing ideas is going to happen. The BTHC will immediately become the most powerful entity in college hockey based on name recognition and the network. It also doesn't hurt that they have several of the most storied programs(along with the Gophers ) in history playing in the conference.

6 teams, 1 conference. Count on it...

whether any of us like it or not.

I tend to agree. It's going to happen, sooner or later. The question is now about dealing with the change and making the best of it.

 

[Sterling Cooper]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

OSU is an SEC school north of the Ohio River. He should recuit them like they do down there. With Hookers and blow.

Yet somehow it's Michigan's football program that just got pegged with an NCAA violation.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Instead, I'd argue that you'd see this:

• Penn State to the CCHA.

Looks like Penn State wants no part of the CCHA.

By remaining independent for the first two seasons, they can schedule some smaller eastern schools to get some wins and travel to areas that have alumni to drum up fundraising.

I'm sure they'll also play some games in NHL rinks against some big name opponents.

 

[scsutommyboy]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Looks like Penn State wants no part of the CCHA.

By remaining independent for the first two seasons, they can schedule some smaller eastern schools to get some wins and travel to areas that have alumni to drum up fundraising.

I'm sure they'll also play a game or two in NHL rinks against some big name opponents.

Did they say they considered the CCHA and chose not to join? Maybe they haven't talked to them or have not been invited to join yet, but it still could join? I am sure at some point the Big Ten will have a hockey conference, but at this point we don't know when that will be.

Here are a few questions that need to be answered in my opinion.

Will the Big Ten Network cut back on womans B-ball games on saturday's to show hockey? If they don't the Big Ten network does the hockey teams no good because once B-Ball starts there is no room for hockey games on air.

Wouldn't make more sense for the WCHA and CCHA to drop back to 22 games so the Big Ten teams can play each other and have a championship, but still be in the other leagues? That way the Big Ten network would only have to show the games when the BTN teams play agaisnt each other?

 

[Priceless]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Will the Big Ten Network cut back on womans B-ball games on saturday's to show hockey? If they don't the Big Ten network does the hockey teams no good because once B-Ball starts there is no room for hockey games on air.

Sure there is. Just show games at midnight on tape delay.

 

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Sure there is. Just show games at midnight on tape delay.

Wait....you mean the BTN is not going to jump at the chance to show these games live?

 

[moose97]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Just looking at the non-hockey Big-10 basketball arenas:

• Illinois - Assembly Hall: Ongoing discussions on renovation/replacement. Ice certainly could be a part of a new facility. The University does have a very quaint "community-type" rink on campus for students and their club team, and could pull a Penn State and play there for a couple years while a new building was going up.
• Indiana - Assembly Hall: The administration has already given approval to replace. With the continued placement of Indiana in hockey rumors, ice seems likely in a new building. IU club hockey plays at a Bloomington city rink.
• Nebraska - Devaney Sports Center: A new downtown arena was recently approved by voters. It is unclear if the design will include ice. AD Tom Osborne says no, but there are contradictory reports. Lincoln does have the USHL's Stars Ice Box Arena, which I understand to be fairly unglamorous, and the Pershing Center.
• Iowa - Carver-Hawkeye Arena: No icemaking ability, and no plans to add ice in a $43 million renovation currently underway. Iowa would need to build a hockey-only building. The Hawkeye's club team plays at Coral Ridge Ice Arena, a community-type rink at a local shopping mall.
• Purdue - Mackey Arena: No icemaking ability, and no plans to add ice in an ongoing $99.5 million renovation. Near as I can tell, their club team travels to Danville, IL for practice and games.
• Northwestern - Welsh-Ryan Arena: The most spartan basketball facility in the Big 10, Welsh-Ryan is essentially a large gymnasium, and has no icemaking ability. Off-campus options would include the Allstate Arena at ~ 14 miles away, the Sears Center around 24 miles away, the Edge Ice Arena about 20 miles away and the United Center at 16 miles away. NU club hockey plays at the Robert Crown Ice Center in Evanston - a community rink.

Now, this doesn't mean a thing as to who is/isn't going to start up hockey, but it does give an idea as to the current state of facilities...

 

[Driftryder]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Sure there is. Just show games at midnight on tape delay.

........after the 10th OT of Lacrosse of course.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Looks like Penn State wants no part of the CCHA....

why would the ccha even consider allowing PSU in for 2 yrs?!? there is going to be a BTHC. why would the ccha allow themselves to slut around and give penn st someplace to play?

makes no sense.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Wait....you mean the BTN is not going to jump at the chance to show these games live?

Sure they are. These are ratings juggernauts! Those amateurs in Bristol just don't know how to televise sports. The BTN will draw on their vast experience to do it right.

 

[Patman]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

why would the ccha even consider allowing PSU in for 2 yrs?!? there is going to be a BTHC. why would the ccha allow themselves to slut around and give penn st someplace to play?

makes no sense.

ok... so what's the alternative? not take in penn state and the revenue such home games would bring in because people are idiots?

Lowell played Minn-Duluth at home a couple years back... I think that the hockey crowd isn't so dumb... we're going to get a good turn out for these games... nope... absolutely flat... not quite Bentley flat... but flat. We haven't brought in a name team... but you bring in a team like Penn State in their first year... I'm willing we see a better than average attendance.

Fact of the matter is, these teams are going to whore out one way or another... either its going to be giving up 3-2, 2-1 or 1-0 on scheduling or its going to be as you describe... letting them in for the CCHA for two.... what's the alternative... not taking the money that comes with bringing in Penn State?

This whole thing drives off balance and it puts the Big10 teams in the driver's seat for dates as everybody will be desperate to get a deal which will increase attendance for some of these games.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Minnesota-Duluth is a name team?

 

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Moose: I don't see Northwestern inquiring about the Allstate Arena; the Wolves get the prime weekend dates (thanks to the AHL's scheduling) and DePaul already plays basketball there. Would the Big East mind hanging BigTen banners next to each other?

Sears Center is just getting an ECHL team, having a college hockey team could help fill the winter schedule. Heart of suburbia, close to the old money, alumni who may be familiar with the University.

Wirtz's are alums (or are tied in with the university from what I've heard) so they have the finances (and a big building downtown) there if needed. The UC would be a great venue to test the hockey waters by hosting a frozen four or (more likely) regional(s). Maybe even host some "BigTen" machups? Or even host the College Hockey Showcase.

 

[moose97]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Moose: I don't see Northwestern inquiring about the Allstate Arena; the Wolves get the prime weekend dates (thanks to the AHL's scheduling) and DePaul already plays basketball there. Would the Big East mind hanging BigTen banners next to each other?

Sears Center is just getting an ECHL team, having a college hockey team could help fill the winter schedule. Heart of suburbia, close to the old money, alumni who may be familiar with the University.

Wirtz's are alums (or are tied in with the university from what I've heard) so they have the finances (and a big building downtown) there if needed. The UC would be a great venue to test the hockey waters by hosting a frozen four or (more likely) regional(s). Maybe even host some "BigTen" machups? Or even host the College Hockey Showcase.

Oh I know almost all of that. I was just throwing out the possibilities/rinks near campus - not the probabilities...

 

[Happy]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Did they say they considered the CCHA and chose not to join? Maybe they haven't talked to them or have not been invited to join yet, but it still could join? I am sure at some point the Big Ten will have a hockey conference, but at this point we don't know when that will be.

Here are a few questions that need to be answered in my opinion.

Will the Big Ten Network cut back on womans B-ball games on saturday's to show hockey? If they don't the Big Ten network does the hockey teams no good because once B-Ball starts there is no room for hockey games on air.

Wouldn't make more sense for the WCHA and CCHA to drop back to 22 games so the Big Ten teams can play each other and have a championship, but still be in the other leagues? That way the Big Ten network would only have to show the games when the BTN teams play agaisnt each other?

friday night, sunday night, etc.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Did they say they considered the CCHA and chose not to join? Maybe they haven't talked to them or have not been invited to join yet, but it still could join? I am sure at some point the Big Ten will have a hockey conference, but at this point we don't know when that will be.

I think you'll find plenty of people to wager BTHC starts in 2014.

http://www.centredaily.com/2010/09/18/2216859/gift-brings-hockey-to-psu.html#ixzz0zv2BrDir

The varsity programs, the first new varsity Nittany Lion teams since women’s soccer was added in 1994, will begin with the 2012-13 season and will play an independent schedule its first two seasons. During that time they will continue to practice and play in the 1,200-seat Greenberg Ice Pavilion.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Would you? I sure as heck wouldn't. For one thing, my interest in sports goes beyond UW hockey(even if it is my favorite) and we might not have the KC if not for a resurgent football program.

I get what you're saying. By 1999 or so, I was completely sick of Alvarez's demeanor and attitude. He was a complete hanger-on during 06 and he's an arrogant dooshsicle. That said, I would never return those Rose Bowls.

The hockey facility will get done and life will go on whatever conference we are in. A lot of people thought it was the end when we stopped playing at the Coliseum. Life went on.

I'm the first to get in the "Hate the idea of a BTHC" line, but it's gonna happen no matter what I want, so I'm not going to grip about it.

I would. Because Barry Alvarez doesn't care about hockey whatsoever. Pat Richter did. Of course Pat's son played hockey so that helped.

The history of the UW shows Wisconsin Hockey head and shoulders above both the football and basketball teams in terms of success and they're still treated like 2nd class citizens by Alvarez.

UW would have gotten the Kohl center without football success. it was Herbie who made that happen and he LOVES b-ball that much.

I guess I should qualify and say Barry Alvarez (and I was at the 93 roesbowl) used to be a favorite of mine, but he's buried himself on my chitlist for the last 10 years or more. Allowing football players to get away with tons of awful off-field behavior, hiring what I would consider an idiot for a headcoach (mr. I party with the players and grab waitress' Bielema), and again treating hockey like a 2nd rate sport at a University where that's almost always been the winning team first and foremost.

As for the B10 conference, I just don't want it. I want to see Denver, CC, SCSU, UMD, and Nodak as much as possible. When UW played OSU in green bay it was boring to me. no history for OSU really. no rivalry despite their football rivalry...

There's nothing I can do about it obviously but my interest level or more accurately passion for the game won't be as high as it is with the WCHA.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I think you'll find plenty of people to wager BTHC starts in 2014.

http://www.centredaily.com/2010/09/18/2216859/gift-brings-hockey-to-psu.html#ixzz0zv2BrDir

can the video game be far behind?