LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

I would agree with you. I think it put the apples with the apples and makes for a much more competitive league.

Competitive yes but as alluring or exciting as having nationally renowned programs like Michigan, Ohio and Notre Dame in your league....most likely not. I always enjoyed watching some of the best players in college hockey coming to our small little corner of the world even as they beat the crap out of the Lakers these past fifteen years.

Having a winning program, even though it will be in a much lesser league, may indeed garner more fan interest but then again, schools like Michigan/Michigan State were always the top home draws and I suspect that this will have an over-all negative impact.

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

Competitive yes but as alluring or exciting as having nationally renowned programs like Michigan, Ohio and Notre Dame in your league....most likely not. I always enjoyed watching some of the best players in college hockey coming to our small little corner of the world even as they beat the crap out of the Lakers these past fifteen years.

Having a winning program, even though it will be in a much lesser league, may indeed garner more fan interest but then again, schools like Michigan/Michigan State were always the top home draws and I suspect that this will have an over-all negative impact.

I suppose it all depends on what you believe is more important: what we (local fans) get from all of this; or what college hockey overall gets from all of this.

If college hockey is to make the next logical step, and become a major player in NCAA sports, then having your Michigans and Minnesotas playing your Lake States and Techs just does not make sense. We had it good here in the Sault over the years with the unrealistic setup; but change was inevitable, and now it's here.

 

[NMU8405]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

I suppose it all depends on what you believe is more important: what we (local fans) get from all of this; or what college hockey overall gets from all of this.

If college hockey is to make the next logical step, and become a major player in NCAA sports, then having your Michigans and Minnesotas playing your Lake States and Techs just does not make sense. We had it good here in the Sault over the years with the unrealistic setup; but change was inevitable, and now it's here.

There are two sides here with this "New CCHA era" we are coming into: Lets say its a 8 team league (LSSU, NMU, MTU, SCSU, BSU, MSU-M, UAA, UAF). There are no big name schools there that is really going to draw people, like playing Michigan, or State. Now, if you manage to win in this league, yes fans will come out. Winning breeds fandom. The problem is, some poor team is going to be in the basement and if it is for years and years, you can bet that program will get axed because they will be bleeding money.

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

There are two sides here with this "New CCHA era" we are coming into: Lets say its a 8 team league (LSSU, NMU, MTU, SCSU, BSU, MSU-M, UAA, UAF). There are no big name schools there that is really going to draw people, like playing Michigan, or State. Now, if you manage to win in this league, yes fans will come out. Winning breeds fandom. The problem is, some poor team is going to be in the basement and if it is for years and years, you can bet that program will get axed because they will be bleeding money.

I see your point, but I think the markets these teams come from are, for the most part, solid hockey markets; that is, hockey is ingrained in the culture of every city in which these programs operate (except BGSU). That is why this potential league, more than whatever other remnants come out of the wake of the BTHC and the supposed "super league", would be the strongest and most viable "other" league.

In all these markets (BGSU excluded), competitive teams and a quality product will draw enough fans to keep the programs viable, because these markets gravitate towards all levels of hockey during their long winter months.

 

[NMU8405]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

I see your point, but I think the markets these teams come from are, for the most part, solid hockey markets; that is, hockey is ingrained in the culture of every city in which these programs operate (except BGSU). That is why this potential league, more than whatever other remnants come out of the wake of the BTHC and the supposed "super league", would be the strongest and most viable "other" league.

In all these markets (BGSU excluded), competitive teams and a quality product will draw enough fans to keep the programs viable, because these markets gravitate towards all levels of hockey during their long winter months.

You havent been to Marquette lately. This past year, the first round playoff matchup vs. Bowling Green, NMU was lucky if they had more than 1,000 people each night. As someone not from the area, and coming into Marquette, I heard how much of a hockey team it is. I have to disagree with that based on my living here in Maine prior to Marquette.

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

You havent been to Marquette lately. This past year, the first round playoff matchup vs. Bowling Green, NMU was lucky if they had more than 1,000 people each night. As someone not from the area, and coming into Marquette, I heard how much of a hockey team it is. I have to disagree with that based on my living here in Maine prior to Marquette.

Well, I was in Marquette last week, so I've been there recently.

As someone that's been in this region all his life, the current attendance anomalies in Marquette and the Soo are the exception, not the rule. These things can be cyclical, and the current economic downturn no doubt has played a role.

Plus, the fact both LSSU and NMU drew poorly in their first-round playoff matchups don't do a lot for the presumption held by some (not necessarily you) that being in a conference with Big Ten schools means anything for attendance other than the very few times those teams visit town.

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

You havent been to Marquette lately. This past year, the first round playoff matchup vs. Bowling Green, NMU was lucky if they had more than 1,000 people each night. As someone not from the area, and coming into Marquette, I heard how much of a hockey team it is. I have to disagree with that based on my living here in Maine prior to Marquette.

Very similar numbers to what Lake State had in its playoff match-up....against a future big 10 team no less! In fact, the local Junior A team drew numbers in their playoff run that were very close to what the Lakers got....meaning that the Soo is no longer the college hockey town that it once was. Of course 15 years of mediocre to downright dismal performances will do that to any fan base.

I suppose it all depends on what you believe is more important: what we (local fans) get from all of this; or what college hockey overall gets from all of this.

What will college hockey really get out of this? It will never have a large enough footprint to ever become a "big time" NCAA player....after Michigan et al leave the CCHA, I couldn't care less what happens to them as I'll never be watching them....yeah sure I'll travel to the big house to see a Michigan football game and I'd go to E.Lansing to see Sparty B-Ball but that's because the best young players in the sport are playing there. If I want to see some of the best young players in the game of hockey, I wouldn't need to go all the way down to Yost....I'd just drive a short distance to the Essar Center and watch the Soo Greyhounds play.

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

What will college hockey really get out of this? It will never have a large enough footprint to ever become a "big time" NCAA player.

I appreciate your opinion.

after Michigan et al leave the CCHA, I couldn't care less what happens to them as I'll never be watching them

I appreciate the heads-up as to what you will do.

I'd just drive a short distance to the Essar Center and watch the Soo Greyhounds play

The same Greyhounds that fired their entire front office this past season? The last-place Greyhounds?

 

[davyd83]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

There are two sides here with this "New CCHA era" we are coming into: Lets say its a 8 team league (LSSU, NMU, MTU, SCSU, BSU, MSU-M, UAA, UAF). There are no big name schools there that is really going to draw people, like playing Michigan, or State. Now, if you manage to win in this league, yes fans will come out. Winning breeds fandom. The problem is, some poor team is going to be in the basement and if it is for years and years, you can bet that program will get axed because they will be bleeding money.

The whole Big 10 draw is overrated. NMU might have two home series against Big 10 teams at home. Ohio State has rarely been a better than average draw. Now replace the one or two series at home against MSU and UM, and realize that a lot of the rivalry w MSU goes away with Rick Comely, now add another game with Tech to the home schedule, and in some years the difference is negligible.

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

What will college hockey really get out of this? It will never have a large enough footprint to ever become a "big time" NCAA player.

I appreciate your opinion.

after Michigan et al leave the CCHA, I couldn't care less what happens to them as I'll never be watching them

I appreciate the heads-up as to what you will do.

I'd just drive a short distance to the Essar Center and watch the Soo Greyhounds play

The same Greyhounds that fired their entire front office this past season? The last-place Greyhounds?

Yup...the last place Greyhounds that had 4 players taken in the recent NHL entry draft and who look to do much better the next season...and who regularly play quality opponents, featuring top flight NHL prospects in perhaps the best development league in the world.

Thank you for appreciating my opinion and as to what I will be doing....of course there are many who share my opinion and will be doing the same thing

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

Thank you for appreciating my opinion and as to what I will be doing....of course there are many who share my opinion and will be doing the same thing

I'm sure the lineup on the International Bridge on Hounds' game night will be amazing

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

I'm sure the lineup on the International Bridge on Hounds' game night will be amazing

You will never see massive amounts of people from the Michigan side at a Hounds game...but then again you no longer see huge numbers of people from any where at a Lakers game

Truth be told, I usually see over a dozen people from the Soo Mich side at the Hounds games I do attend.....and I suspect that number will increase over the next few years.

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

but then again you no longer see huge numbers of people from any where at a Lakers game

Again, thanks for your opinion.

Truth be told, I usually see over a dozen people from the Soo Mich side at the Hounds games I do attend

And why not? It's good hockey.

I see many people from Soo, Ontario, at Laker games, too.

and I suspect that number will increase over the next few years

Again, thanks for your opinion.

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

but then again you no longer see huge numbers of people from any where at a Lakers game

Again, thanks for your opinion.

.

That, unfortunately, sir is not an opinion but a fact.

You're quite welcome for my other opinions though...

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

That, unfortunately, sir is not an opinion but a fact.

You are speculating about something in the future.

Unless you are Nostradamus or Ed McMahon, you have merely given an opinion.

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

You are speculating about something in the future.

Unless you are Nostradamus or Ed McMahon, you have merely given an opinion.

Notice that I did not use the future tense when I stated..."then again you no longer see huge numbers of people from any where at a Lakers games"...you would have been correct if I said once the big ten and super leagues form you will (as in the future) no longer see many people at Laker games...but I did not....I merely stated a fact that the Lakers no longer draw large crowds...especially during home playoff games.

 

[Truth Squad]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

Notice that I did not use the future tense when I stated..."then again you no longer see huge numbers of people from any where at a Lakers games"...you would have been correct if I said once the big ten and super leagues form you will (as in the future) no longer see many people at Laker games...but I did not....I merely stated a fact that the Lakers no longer draw large crowds...especially during home playoff games.

They didn't this year with the big teams in it. Look at the playoff series against Ohio State where on television their could have been more than 500 people at a playoff game against a Big Ten team. You saw the pictures from the game on here. It is sad but many of us, including myself, just don't care anymore.

Frank Anzalone turned down any offers to coach up there, and you won't have him to kick around anymore on here. Sad how you people treat with such disrespect a man that built your program, won or responsible for three national championships, yet you hero worship the current administration. Sad just sad.


The Truth Is Out There.....
TBA

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

As for the Laprade situation, bank on it. He's in.

 

[3dognight]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

Blashill to Wings, Miami to new league.....that gives them six and tourney ready. (2 more to follow? ND? WMU?)

Conference call of all remaining WCHA teams today. Are they looking at Alaska?NMU? To get back to Auto tourney bid.
Where is CCHA in the mix????????? No official comment.
We NEED to be in the mix of a 10 team league or risk problems down the road.

Truth...what are Franks plan for upcoming season? pro scout? Another pro team?

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2011-12

Hey Truth Squid, any chance Frank has any shot at the WMU job? LOL

Seriously, I feel kinda bad for WMU fans but congrats to Blashill. He deserves it.