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BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

The more I think about things, the more I can possibly seeing a workable solution.....

Nine Leagues:

Eastern Super League with Notre Dame, Boston College, Boston U and three others (6 teams)
Western Super League (6 teams)
Big Ten (6 teams)
WCHA (6-8 teams)
CCHA (6-8 teams)
Atlantic Hockey (some defections over to the CCHA and/or ECAC bring them down to 8)
Ivy (6 teams)
ECAC remainders (6-8 teams)
Hockey East remainders (6-8 teams)

Hmmmm. You still end up with three leagues controlling a lot of the $$$ involved in college hockey, but you have five other leagues that would be somewhat equal, six if Atlantic Hockey ups their commitments financially. Outside of the three Super Leagues, you could create six geographic clusters (outside of the two Alaskas and UAH), minimizing travel costs and also opening up non-conference dates for everyone.
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

What happened to the Peters Cup? It would be cool to see it used in the "new" WCHA.
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

Click my sig for today's summer special of College Hockey Tonight with Tom Serratore, Matt Read and Rick Goeb.
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

Okay, I hope to get The BeaverPond website updated before the season starts, but that may be pushing it with major projects going on around home right now....

But anyway, this is what I have so far for former Beavers and where they will be at this upcoming season. I even found some info on some players I hadn't had before. The ones at the bottom were in various pro leagues last year, but I have not heard anything on this year yet.

Matt Francis-Nottingham Panthers (English ELITE League)
Niko Suoraniemi-Herlev (Denmark)
Andrew Martens-Wichita Thunder (CHL)
Andrew Murray-San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Tyler Scofield-Klagenfurter AC (Austria)
Brendan Cook-Sonderjyske (Denmark)
Anssi Tieranta-LeKi (Finland2)
Matt Read-Adirondack/Philadelphia (AHL/NHL)
Jamie Mattie-HC Innsbruck (Austria2)
Mikka Lindholm-HKC (Finland3)
Riley Weselowski-Rapid City (CHL)
Luke Erickson-Arizona (CHL)
Brandon Marino-Quad City (CHL)
Emil Billberg-Sodertalje (Allsvenskan)
Ryan Huddy-Valpelice (Italy)
Rob Sirianni-Valpelice (Italy)
Matt Climie-Chicago/Vancouver (AHL/NHL)
Matt Dalton-Vityaz Chekhov (KHL)
Ian Lowe-Lausitzer Füchse (Germany)
Cody Bostock
Tyler Lehrke
Chris McKelvie
Matt Pope
Nathan Schwartbauer
Ryan Adams
Dan MacIntyre
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

So is anyone making the drive down to scenic southern Ohio in 52 days?
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

MUhawks628 said:
So is anyone making the drive down to scenic southern Ohio in 52 days?
Click to expand...

I would love to, but that is the only open weekend my family has for the month of October, so the wife probably wouldn't let me. Although, she did grow up in Ohio, but around the Cleveland area, so that may not work either.......
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

I didn't read back into the thread, but am curious as to how Beaver fans feel about just joining the WCHA, and then having it decimated by the "big" boys?
Would you like to join the so-called super conference if asked?
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

Skeeterman said:
I didn't read back into the thread, but am curious as to how Beaver fans feel about just joining the WCHA, and then having it decimated by the "big" boys?
Would you like to join the so-called super conference if asked?
Click to expand...

It will suck not being able to continue to enjoy the final five cash cow, and it will suck not playing the gophers every year. With that all aside (provided the league does not move beyond 8 teams) i think this change-up puts the Beavs in a really good position. We are still going to play 2 our biggest rivals UND and Duluth every year, we get to play the other mnscu schools more often, and the new conference will be more even field talent and recruitment wise giving us a better opportunity to rise to the top. Of all the programs in the new WCHA we have the top playing and training facilities. The team survived in the geographic scatterplot of a conference that was the CHA with non traditional rivals (save for huntsville), a nearly all bus league with identifiable area schools will still be a major upgrade even without the clout of MN WISC UND DU.

Would you like to join the so-called super conference if asked?
depends on the priority
Prestige- yes
Opportunity for winning record/making the tourney- no

personally i would say no
 
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Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

Skeeterman said:
I didn't read back into the thread, but am curious as to how Beaver fans feel about just joining the WCHA, and then having it decimated by the "big" boys?
Would you like to join the so-called super conference if asked?
Click to expand...

I have mixed emotions on it.....

For one, it will make the road to the autobid a little easier, which is a good thing. BSU will now be competing with schools that are like size and have like budgets.

On the other hand, with the new Events Center, all the budgets and numbers were based on the "Big Boys" of the WCHA coming into Bemidji every year. That is the questionable part, will the numbers still be there to make the numbers work? Yes, The Goofers and Sioux have still said they would play Bemidji, and I hope that some of those games are in Bemidji and that the Beavers are not going on the road all the time for those contests.

One thing fans of the Beavers are used to as that if they win, they will fill the seats. They did it in the Glas in the CHA days, and I think if the Beavers can put a competitive, winning product out on the ice in the new look WCHA, the fans will be there. Will they fill up 4300 seats night in and night out? Probably not, but 3000-3500 butts in the building will definitely help pay the bills. Hockey fans in Northern Minnesota will still recognize St. Cloud, Mankato, Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, probably more so than they did Niagara, Robert Morris and Wayne State (I can't throw Huntsville in there as they recognized them from the D-II days).

I don't think it will change recruiting all that much. BSU probably never really had a chance for the blue chippers with North Dakota and Minnesota. They were more than likely competing with St. Cloud, Mankato and Duluth for many of the same players. The only thing is that you can't sell a potential recruit on the fact you WILL play North Dakota and Minnesota every year. There is a chance you will, but not definite.

The more it has sunk in, the more I have become okay with the changing landscape. What I don't want to see though is the CCHA and WCHA merge and forfiet one of the auto bids. The Big Ten and NCHC don't need another at large bid available to them........
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

My reaction is much the same regarding the so-called super conference. The biggest loss will be the fun that the Final 5 offered. Those were great and at least we have 2 more years of that. I think SCSU will be just fine in the new WCHA, but I do hope that the CCHA accepts the 4 Atlantic schools, and we get to 8 members somehow. I don't think recruiting will suffer, and it might improve is we can make more NCAA appearances and wins. At first I was angry that we weren't part of the other deal, but as time goes on, I'm thinking we may be better off right where we are. With those big boys needing a lot of non conference games, and their supposed commitment to playing us little guys, it should work out just fine. Now I don't know if we should accept an invite to the new conference even if we are asked. Maybe if they begged us we could consider it. I think they may well be regretting their decisions. They could have easily stayed and made the WCHA continue to be a "super" conference.
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

Skeeterman said:
My reaction is much the same regarding the so-called super conference. The biggest loss will be the fun that the Final 5 offered. Those were great and at least we have 2 more years of that. I think SCSU will be just fine in the new WCHA, but I do hope that the CCHA accepts the 4 Atlantic schools, and we get to 8 members somehow. I don't think recruiting will suffer, and it might improve is we can make more NCAA appearances and wins. At first I was angry that we weren't part of the other deal, but as time goes on, I'm thinking we may be better off right where we are. With those big boys needing a lot of non conference games, and their supposed commitment to playing us little guys, it should work out just fine. Now I don't know if we should accept an invite to the new conference even if we are asked. Maybe if they begged us we could consider it. I think they may well be regretting their decisions. They could have easily stayed and made the WCHA continue to be a "super" conference.
Click to expand...

beaverhockeyfan said:
I have mixed emotions on it.....

For one, it will make the road to the autobid a little easier, which is a good thing. BSU will now be competing with schools that are like size and have like budgets.

On the other hand, with the new Events Center, all the budgets and numbers were based on the "Big Boys" of the WCHA coming into Bemidji every year. That is the questionable part, will the numbers still be there to make the numbers work? Yes, The Goofers and Sioux have still said they would play Bemidji, and I hope that some of those games are in Bemidji and that the Beavers are not going on the road all the time for those contests.

One thing fans of the Beavers are used to as that if they win, they will fill the seats. They did it in the Glas in the CHA days, and I think if the Beavers can put a competitive, winning product out on the ice in the new look WCHA, the fans will be there. Will they fill up 4300 seats night in and night out? Probably not, but 3000-3500 butts in the building will definitely help pay the bills. Hockey fans in Northern Minnesota will still recognize St. Cloud, Mankato, Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, probably more so than they did Niagara, Robert Morris and Wayne State (I can't throw Huntsville in there as they recognized them from the D-II days).

I don't think it will change recruiting all that much. BSU probably never really had a chance for the blue chippers with North Dakota and Minnesota. They were more than likely competing with St. Cloud, Mankato and Duluth for many of the same players. The only thing is that you can't sell a potential recruit on the fact you WILL play North Dakota and Minnesota every year. There is a chance you will, but not definite.

The more it has sunk in, the more I have become okay with the changing landscape. What I don't want to see though is the CCHA and WCHA merge and forfiet one of the auto bids. The Big Ten and NCHC don't need another at large bid available to them........
Click to expand...

7&7 said:
It will suck not being able to continue to enjoy the final five cash cow, and it will suck not playing the gophers every year. With that all aside (provided the league does not move beyond 8 teams) i think this change-up puts the Beavs in a really good position. We are still going to play 2 our biggest rivals UND and Duluth every year, we get to play the other mnscu schools more often, and the new conference will be more even field talent and recruitment wise giving us a better opportunity to rise to the top. Of all the programs in the new WCHA we have the top playing and training facilities. The team survived in the geographic scatterplot of a conference that was the CHA with non traditional rivals (save for huntsville), a nearly all bus league with identifiable area schools will still be a major upgrade even without the clout of MN WISC UND DU.

Would you like to join the so-called super conference if asked?
depends on the priority
Prestige- yes
Opportunity for winning record/making the tourney- no

personally i would say no
Click to expand...

I agree with all three of you. BSU should benefit from this in the long run.

BSU playing in the WCHA was a good thing but also a big step for the program. In all honesty, BSU year in and year out would never be a top third team and deep post season appearances would not be very frequent. BSU has always put a respectable program on the ice but overall they can't compete with the top programs year in and year out. The new WCHA will be a good fit for BSU and more seasons than not BSU should be a contender.

Recruiting will be OK and in fact BSU might even benefit a bit in recruiting.

I hope that the WCHA and the CCHA do not merge.

The only potential issue I see with the demise of the WCHA is the new arena in Bemidji. As posted by Millsy, the big sell in getting this arena built was being in the WCHA. Winning cures most ailments but I am not sure that putting a winning team on the ice will make up for the loss that the WCHA brought to the table in regards to marketing and such. I know for a fact that numerous current season ticket holders are seriously considering dumping their tickets. If the new WCHA and the non conference home schedule that follows is comprised of mid tier programs then cash flow could be a major issue down the road. I hope BSU can get the Fighting Flicker Riders, UMD and U of MN to play in Bemidji often. I am looking forward to BSU kicking the snot out of sccc six or seven times a year though. ;)

Lastly, as much as I feel sorry for UAH.........I hate Huntsville. :)
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

One thing to remember with BSU..... As part of the deal with admission to the WCHA, they receive no WCHA Tournament revenue for the first three years. Convienent that the WCHA falls apart after those three years.
 
Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

beaverhockeyfan said:
One thing to remember with BSU..... As part of the deal with admission to the WCHA, they receive no WCHA Tournament revenue for the first three years. Convienent that the WCHA falls apart after those three years.
Click to expand...
If anyone got a raw deal out of this, it was BSU. UNO, however, came out pretty golden. A rink was built with the excitement of playing conference foes North Dakota, Minnesota, Duluth, etc, as well as securing conference vitality and a solid recruiting tool. The rink is still a solid recruiting tool, but obviously the quality, or maybe rather, the prestige of teams coming in each year is diminished.

I'm not sure if the new WCHA is a positive or negative on recruiting. We weren't going to steal too many recruits from UND, MN, etc, but maybe now, we lose a couple more recruits to the likes of UMD, since they are in a "more prestigious" conference. TBD.

I think UND and Duluth will maintain regular stops in Bemidji. Maybe even MN will bless us with a non-conference stop up in Bemidji. This should help maintain attendance levels. Losing the Final 5 will be a loss for all schools involved. No doubt about that.

I think the bottom line is that even in the CHA, there was a buzz and excitement about BSU hockey. BSU is now in a stable and solid regional conference, and should be a top tier team most years. This should help with attendance and with the big picture, recruiting and reaching the tournament.
 
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Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

I had hoped that our years of conference instability were over when BSU joined the WCHA so all of this drama has been frustrating. The Beavers as a program did everything that was asked of them only to have the big kids take their ball and go home. That being said, well the situation is what it is and everyone else in the league got screwed too. I know the Beavs will continue to go about their business and put a quality product on the ice. I am going to miss having that first round bye that is UNO though. That matchup had potential for some good hatred:)
 
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Re: BSU '10-'11: Can the Beav's Read the W and be in the Hunt?

We are big fans of Emily Erickson on your women's team down here in St. Cloud. She's a real gamer.
 
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