Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

[SJHovey]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

The NBC guy did let this slip during his spiel: They are looking forward to broadcasting Notre Dame games AND "Hockey East games" - he did not say "college hockey" in general.

The # of college hockey games on NBC Sports before today: 0
The # of Hockey East games on NBC Sports when ND comes aboard: At least 13, probably more (I'm guessing 20 a season)
Oh, and probably the Hockey East playoffs...

Guess who the loser was today...

So what are the terms of this tv deal? Can the schools have their games broadcast on another network if NBC isn't broadcasting them?

I personally have no complaints about television for my school, UND. Right now I get to see all home games broadcast over the Fox Sports package of stations, and I'd be ticked off if a television deal messed that up.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I know you are being sarcastic but do you really think UVM would be invited to be part of a "power" conference if BC, BU, ND, etc wanted to leave?

I'm not worried right now but I don't want to be going to a Lowell game in 5 years and getting excited for a game against AIC. No offense to the AIC fan on USCHO.

I think your idea of a "power conference" splitting away is off base. Power who? ND, BC, UNH, what are they going to form a 3 member league?

BU? How many Gilroy's is Parker going to find, because the old man has lost his marbles and BU isn't going to be a "power."
Maine? Not until the fire Timmay
NU? Mid-pack, hardly a "power"
PC, UML, UMA ... well let's not go there.

So if they WERE to split... they may HAVE to take UVM to get up to 6.

That would also be foolish. HE will stay as it is, maybe MC or PC goes under and we are back to 10, or ND bolts for a better deal. Tough to say. But I don't really really don't see York and Umile trying to form a new fraction.

 

[joecct]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I know you are being sarcastic but do you really think UVM would be invited to be part of a "power" conference if BC, BU, ND, etc wanted to leave?

I'm not worried right now but I don't want to be going to a Lowell game in 5 years and getting excited for a game against AIC. No offense to the AIC fan on USCHO.

But what if the NE-10 forms a hockey league? St. Anselm and St. Michael's are going to get the boot from the ECAC-E. If they join with the other 4 NE-10 schools that makes 6 and they'll have the same standing as the WCHA.

If the NE-10 mandates that all their member schools play in the same conference, it will be interesting to be a fly on the wall for THAT meeting!

 

[Gainzo]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I think your idea of a "power conference" splitting away is off base. Power who? ND, BC, UNH, what are they going to form a 3 member league?

BU? How many Gilroy's is Parker going to find, because the old man has lost his marbles and BU isn't going to be a "power."
Maine? Not until the fire Timmay
NU? Mid-pack, hardly a "power"
PC, UML, UMA ... well let's not go there.

So if they WERE to split... they may HAVE to take UVM to get up to 6.

That would also be foolish. HE will stay as it is, maybe MC or PC goes under and we are back to 10, or ND bolts for a better deal. Tough to say. But I don't really really don't see York and Umile trying to form a new fraction.

Hockey East just accepted a team from frickin' Indiana. All bets are off in my book.

If Marty Meehan; Chancellor at UML, alum, former congressman, etc has his way Lowell will fight to stay in a league that matters. The UMass system (politicians) tried to kill the Lowell program not too long ago and we are still kicking. Attendance is up and the Tsongas is a sweet place to watch a hockey game.

Why would any splinter league have to take UVM?

 

[mookie1995]

opinions vary...

Ever go to an airport after a ND game? Thousands travel every weekend and love it.

well thousands have gay anal sex every weekend and love it too. i'm not sure where you're going with that argument however.

(and not that there is anything wrong with it, but it's just not for me )

 

[J.D.]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I personally have no complaints about television for my school, UND. Right now I get to see all home games broadcast over the Fox Sports package of stations, and I'd be ticked off if a television deal messed that up.

Of course you don't have any complaints! Every school would want something like that.

re: Hockey East's Future

Let's pump the brakes on Super Conference talk. As jcarter pointed out (God that pains me), Hockey East already is a Super Conference. Teams aren't looking to defect. Plus, there's obviously no team(s) from the EZAC that could breakaway to join BC/BU/UNH etc. and make a better league than what Hockey East already is.

Since HE went ahead and added #11, I say find #12.

 

[sterlippo1]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

BU? How many Gilroy's is Parker going to find, because the old man has lost his marbles and BU isn't going to be a "power."

be careful there

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

well thousands have gay anal sex every weekend and love it too. i'm not sure where you're going with that argument however.

(and not that there is anything wrong with it, but it's just not for me )

Oh Jesus Mookie that is a classic. You're killing me.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I know you are being sarcastic but do you really think UVM would be invited to be part of a "power" conference if BC, BU, ND, etc wanted to leave?

I'm not worried right now but I don't want to be going to a Lowell game in 5 years and getting excited for a game against AIC. No offense to the AIC fan on USCHO.

Gainzo, are you drunk posting tonight on this board? Or are you sober?

 

[slurpees]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I think your idea of a "power conference" splitting away is off base. Power who? ND, BC, UNH, what are they going to form a 3 member league?

BU? How many Gilroy's is Parker going to find, because the old man has lost his marbles and BU isn't going to be a "power."
Maine? Not until the fire Timmay
NU? Mid-pack, hardly a "power"
PC, UML, UMA ... well let's not go there.

So if they WERE to split... they may HAVE to take UVM to get up to 6.

That would also be foolish. HE will stay as it is, maybe MC or PC goes under and we are back to 10, or ND bolts for a better deal. Tough to say. But I don't really really don't see York and Umile trying to form a new fraction.

I know you usually say off the wall things, but you're insinuating that a new eastern "power" conference would include UNH and not BU? You're aware that BU is leaps and bounds a more successful program than UNH, not just under Parker, and statistically is more successful than BC, right? You're also aware that BC and BU would both never leave each other unless six or seven other ACC schools magically start hockey programs. Not to mention that Jerry isn't going to be around forever, either and the last time BC hired a coach, they didn't do so well, so there's no guarantee they'll be as powerful in the post-York period.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

And Michigan Tech is more successful than Notre Dame...who cares? But ya, obviously BU would be included.

 

[Split-N]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I was alluding to a "power" conference in the not to distant future that leaves Lowell, Merrimack, maybe Providence and UMass looking to join Atlantic Hockey or start a new league...

Just my .02 but I really don't see any current HEA members going anywhere. If there's any vulnerability at all, it would be Lowell if the state legislature plays budgetary slash-and-burn but then again, MMeehan seems to have enough political clout to ensure this doesn't happen. The Mack has made clear that hockey is its signature sport. And I'm not seeing or hearing any evidence that Providence is uncomfortable in either the Big East or Hockey East.

I think it's fair to say that when all of the dust has settled, the BTHC and HEA will have emerged as the two premier conferences. Lowell, Providence, and the Mack will get their share of Grade-A recruits if for no other reason than the strength of the league they play in. Although North Dakota will still have it's pipeline to Manitoba, I just don't see the NCHC, as a whole, being able to consistently run with the BTHC and HEA.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I think it's fair to say that when all of the dust has settled, the BTHC and HEA will have emerged as the two premier conferences. Lowell, Providence, and the Mack will get their share of Grade-A recruits if for no other reason than the strength of the league they play in. Although North Dakota will still have it's pipeline to Manitoba, I just don't see the NCHC, as a whole, being able to consistently run with the BTHC and HEA.

Will be interesting to see. I wouldn't dismiss the NCHC in that conversation. I don't know how many grade-A recruits the schools you mentioned ever/will get, but it could certainly result in better recruiting for them if this turns out to elevate Hockey East as THE premier conference.

 

[slurpees]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I really don't see this move as a sign that teams are on their way out. I think HE knows 12 is the max they can go to, so they may take their time and due diligence in selecting the correct team. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they're making phone calls to UConn to see if they can get them to upgrade the program and do it quick, since the overall school, following, name brand, top end potential, and location far outweigh any other #12 candidates. Problem is, they suck, don't have the facilities, and have ignored the program for 20 years.

 

[GoNU5]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I really don't see this move as a sign that teams are on their way out. I think HE knows 12 is the max they can go to, so they may take their time and due diligence in selecting the correct team. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they're making phone calls to UConn to see if they can get them to upgrade the program and do it quick, since the overall school, following, name brand, top end potential, and location far outweigh any other #12 candidates. Problem is, they suck, don't have the facilities, and have ignored the program for 20 years.

I'm sure Hockey East is going got at least test the water with them. The other thought I had is, what if the Hockey East teams get cynical and decide they want a pushover team with name brand appeal beyond the college hockey community? UConn would draw a lot more casual fans into games than a team like Quinnipiac or RPI. Plus, adding 2 powerhouse teams is going to be hell on a lot of middle of the pack teams, really only BU, BC, and UNH will likely be unaffected. What happens if the other Hockey East teams decide they want a pushover that can give them some wins? Conceivably, they could bring in UConn with some vague promises for them to upgrade their facilities within the next few years. Plus, would likely help in the next round of TV contracts to have another big name school with lots of appeal.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

Let's also not forget that UConn is already a member of Hockey East. (Women's Hockey East, that is.)

 

[sterlippo1]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

Let's also not forget that UConn is already a member of Hockey East. (Women's Hockey East, that is.)

well, we're trying to forget about that

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I really don't see this move as a sign that teams are on their way out. I think HE knows 12 is the max they can go to, so they may take their time and due diligence in selecting the correct team. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they're making phone calls to UConn to see if they can get them to upgrade the program and do it quick, since the overall school, following, name brand, top end potential, and location far outweigh any other #12 candidates. Problem is, they suck, don't have the facilities, and have ignored the program for 20 years.

I agree with this. Except, I don't see HE in any rush. I doubt Bertagana cares if they are ready for 2013 or 2015. I can certainly see HE running 11 teams for a few seasons if needed. Especially considering no one under consideration needs a home. I think there was a bit of sense of urgency with ND as deal had to be made as a.) they would have been an independent or b.) gone somewhere else. That's not the case with Team #12.

 

[kingdobbs]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

I really don't see this move as a sign that teams are on their way out. I think HE knows 12 is the max they can go to, so they may take their time and due diligence in selecting the correct team. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they're making phone calls to UConn to see if they can get them to upgrade the program and do it quick, since the overall school, following, name brand, top end potential, and location far outweigh any other #12 candidates. Problem is, they suck, don't have the facilities, and have ignored the program for 50 years.

Fixed your typo.

I think Hockey East is going to be in contact with UConn, without a doubt. I remain uncertain that anything will come of it while UConn has no full-time AD (and therefore it's unknown what priority, if any, hockey could be made), and the Big East remains a football question mark for the time being (and therefore, it's unknown whether there's money to make anything but Jim Calhoun's basketball team a priority). Hockey East can wait a year or two to see what's happening in the big money sports before pulling the trigger; it's not like any of their potential candidates have a better offer anyhow.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Hockey East 2011 - 2012 :

Fixed your typo.

I think Hockey East is going to be in contact with UConn, without a doubt. I remain uncertain that anything will come of it while UConn has no full-time AD (and therefore it's unknown what priority, if any, hockey could be made), and the Big East remains a football question mark for the time being (and therefore, it's unknown whether there's money to make anything but Jim Calhoun's basketball team a priority). Hockey East can wait a year or two to see what's happening in the big money sports before pulling the trigger; it's not like any of their potential candidates have a better offer anyhow.

You didn't hear the rumor that RPI is thinking of joining the Big 10?