Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

[MICZamboni]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Maybe they don't want to see Mercyhurst play since they have a 2-5-1 record in conference play against those "programs no one wants to see play"

Which wouldn't happen if they had 18 scholarships.

 

[komey1]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

RIT would be even better if they could offer 18 as well.

 

[komey1]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Which wouldn't happen if they had 18 scholarships.

Think they all of the sudden would be competitive in the CCHA with 18 scholarships? I think it would take a few years before they even sniff the upper half of the league.

 

[Dupree1979]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

It would be nice to see Mercyhurst in the CCHA but there is just too many things that are going against them; (rink, lack of fans, $$$)

Maybe they don't want to see Mercyhurst play since they have a 2-5-1 record in conference play against those "programs no one wants to see play"

.Mercyhurst seems to be struggling in the AHA this year, but the injury bug has hit them hard, with their top center Ginard being done for the year with his knee sprain. In a league that gives out so little scholarships, when a team looses a key guy it hurts. We all know leagues like the CCHA can attract better quality players with more scholarship money. I just dont understand why the AHA is so stingy with scholarships??????????

At the end of the day I think were just wasting time talking about something that WONT happen (Mercyhrst leaving the AHA).

The one thing that still impresses me about this program is how far Gotkin has taken the program

 

[MICZamboni]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

RIT would be even better if they could offer 18 as well.

Yea, no kidding. Thats my point exactly.

 

[komey1]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Part of me is curious about what Mercyhurst's objectives would be for moving to the CCHA. It might improve their exposure some by getting better teams on their schedule, but as I said before, I think it would take quite a few years before they are close to the middle of the pack.

I will note a few posters thought the same with RIT when they moved up, and we know how that has gone.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Part of me is curious about what Mercyhurst's objectives would be for moving to the CCHA. It might improve their exposure some by getting better teams on their schedule, but as I said before, I think it would take quite a few years before they are close to the middle of the pack.

I will note a few posters thought the same with RIT when they moved up, and we know how that has gone.

I agree with you it would take them a couple years to get everything in place to compete, but UAH would face the same problem as well. Hell any team that comes in will struggle for the first couple years, its just the nature of the beast. UAH has had some moments this year, but consistancy is the name of the game. You can beat ND on the road but getting swept at home by Western Michigan cancels it out, IMO.

Its a long shot, but like I said early for it to happen there would be some things they would need to do. A lot of it has been mentioned. They don't have good facilities now, they don't draw well, and they aren't that great.

But if they invest in the program and share a building with the OHL Otters that is a start. Provide 18 schollies would be a start as well, and putting more money into the program as a whole. If you play a better schedule and put a better product on the ice people will come. UAH struggles to get 2k in their building but they would draw a lot better too in the CCHA. The difference between the two programs is geography. Some CCHA schools have a familiarity with Mercyhurst from GLIAC play and would favor them over UAH. It comes down to logistics, plain and simple.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

I agree with you it would take them a couple years to get everything in place to compete, but UAH would face the same problem as well. Hell any team that comes in will struggle for the first couple years, its just the nature of the beast. UAH has had some moments this year, but consistancy is the name of the game. You can beat ND on the road but getting swept at home by Western Michigan cancels it out, IMO.

Its a long shot, but like I said early for it to happen there would be some things they would need to do. A lot of it has been mentioned. They don't have good facilities now, they don't draw well, and they aren't that great.

But if they invest in the program and share a building with the OHL Otters that is a start. Provide 18 schollies would be a start as well, and putting more money into the program as a whole. If you play a better schedule and put a better product on the ice people will come. UAH struggles to get 2k in their building but they would draw a lot better too in the CCHA. The difference between the two programs is geography. Some CCHA schools have a familiarity with Mercyhurst from GLIAC play and would favor them over UAH. It comes down to logistics, plain and simple.

Wait, you want MC to go to the CCHA and move all their games off campus to a 5,500 seat arena where they have to compete with prime ice time with an OHL team?? Mercyhurst isn't even near Erie's Downtown and is a small private college. They might get what, 2,000 there on average, and thats with a healthy diet of the Big schools coming into town there.

 

[MICZamboni]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Wait, you want MC to go to the CCHA and move all their games off campus to a 5,500 seat arena where they have to compete with prime ice time with an OHL team?? Mercyhurst isn't even near Erie's Downtown and is a small private college.

What are you talking about???? It's less than 1 1/2 miles from the campus.
Lets not forget, they don't give you a ticket at the football games either.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

For the present, looks like they've got some work to do after high expectations.

But with 25 GF, 25 GA - must've had some tough-luck losses?

 

[Goon]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Yea I know, but UAH also got swept by Western Michigan so take it for what its worth.

IMO mercyhurst is an improving program, and was looking at all angles not just the product on the ice. With their proximity to other CCHA schools and being in a city that could support a bigger program in Erie.

I know UAH has a historic tradition and may draw better with bigger names, but the same effect would happen at Mercyhurst and its in a more hockey friendly area. All just my opinion, I just feel they would fit better.

Irrelevant! MU tied with Ferris State (lost in a shoot out) this past weekend and now do we suggest that MU goes to the CHA? That is the kind of logic your using. The CHA Is better than the AHA, to just dissmiss UAH without any logic or justification is silly.

 

[komey1]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

It would probably cost UAH less, since they are already eligible to offer the full amount of scholarships (unless there is a school rule).

Mercyhursts biggest edge, as has been stated, is geography. It's biggest weakness is finances, IMO.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Irrelevant! MU tied with Ferris State (lost in a shoot out) this past weekend and now do we suggest that MU goes to the CHA? That is the kind of logic your using. The CHA Is better than the AHA, to just dissmiss UAH without any logic or justification is silly.

And North Dakota lost to St. Cloud State so they can join us there...

this isn't a debate on which conference is better. It is one on which school fits better into the CCHA. I laid out logic, goon, so read carefully.

UAH is a nice program and I dont want them to go away but when you look at everything it makes more sense. Again all of this is speculation, because mercyhurst needs to do A LOT to get to that point, but should they do what is needed their relationship with other CCHA schools by being apart of the GLIAC in D II goes a long way, IMO. They are relatively close to 9 schools and the other 2 were part of the GLIAC with them so they are familiar with the trip.

Regardless of which school, if any, come to the CCHA their attendance would get a boost from the bigger programs coming there every year. So it would be beneficial to either, but you have to look at the logistics and Erie is closer than huntsville and could provide equal facilities if they committ to it.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

It would probably cost UAH less, since they are already eligible to offer the full amount of scholarships (unless there is a school rule).

Mercyhursts biggest edge, as has been stated, is geography. It's biggest weakness is finances, IMO.

Well I am with you, but we don't know the financial stability of either school. Atleast I dont, but if mercyhurst is willing to do it they probably could offer the same financially as UAH.

 

[Yager]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

I say Mercyhurst moves to the CCHA but ONLY if they move their rink outside of Erie, PA because it is the most depressing, boring, ugly, POS D-1 college hockey town in the nation... besides Bemidji, of course. Either that or they need a city ordinance to allow for 6AM bar and off-site times so that booze can band-aid these problems.

 

[Freddie]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Mercyhurst will move to the CCHA right about the same time as AirForce moves to the WCHA and Harvard joins HockeyEast.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

I say Mercyhurst moves to the CCHA but ONLY if they move their rink outside of Erie, PA because it is the most depressing, boring, ugly, POS D-1 college hockey town in the nation... besides Bemidji, of course.

Um.

 

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

I say Mercyhurst moves to the CCHA but ONLY if they move their rink outside of Erie, PA because it is the most depressing, boring, ugly, POS D-1 college hockey town in the nation... besides Bemidji, of course. Either that or they need a city ordinance to allow for 6AM bar and off-site times so that booze can band-aid these problems.

It's not that Bemidji sucks...it can be a fun trip when done right. Bemidji sucks with Tech fans not named Beer Pong Horn (and a few others who know who they are).

 

[Clifton]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Again all of this is speculation, because mercyhurst needs to do A LOT to get to that point, but should they do what is needed their relationship with other CCHA schools by being apart of the GLIAC in D II goes a long way, IMO. They are relatively close to 9 schools and the other 2 were part of the GLIAC with them so they are familiar with the trip.

And this is what scares me - If Mercyhurst switches to the CCHA, this could be the tipping point in terms of the balance of power. Just picture all of the GLIAC schools together - Ferris State, Lake Superior, Northern, Mercyhurst. It will only become inevitable that Tech will be pressured to join next. Before you know it, you'll be hearing the inevitable rumors of Findlay and Wayne State restarting, giving the GLIAC the magic seven schools to trigger a conference.

Just imagine it. Constant rumors about the CCHA's impending breakup due to a new GLIAC hockey conference. Rumors about exclusive TV deals on public access television in the major media markets of Big Rapids, Eric and the Soo. Endless, repetitive threads about the inevitability of the conference and the corresponding inevitable folding of those schools left behind in Columbus, Oxford and East Lansing. This board and college hockey will never be the same

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

It's not that Bemidji sucks...it can be a fun trip when done right. Bemidji sucks with Tech fans not named Beer Pong Horn (and a few others who know who they are).

No, Bemidji sucked then too, just not because of the visitors involved.

And this is what scares me - If Mercyhurst switches to the CCHA, this could be the tipping point in terms of the balance of power. Just picture all of the GLIAC schools together - Ferris State, Lake Superior, Northern, Mercyhurst. It will only become inevitable that Tech will be pressured to join next. Before you know it, you'll be hearing the inevitable rumors of Findlay and Wayne State restarting, giving the GLIAC the magic seven schools to trigger a conference.

Just imagine it. Constant rumors about the CCHA's impending breakup due to a new GLIAC hockey conference. Rumors about exclusive TV deals on public access television in the major media markets of Big Rapids, Eric and the Soo. Endless, repetitive threads about the inevitability of the conference and the corresponding inevitable folding of those schools left behind in Columbus, Oxford and East Lansing. This board and college hockey will never be the same

And once GVSU starts a hockey program, there goes that fly-by-night outfit in Ann Arbor too.