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State of D-II Hockey

Fishman'81 said:
Looking at the attendance numbers for 2017, I'd have to wonder if any AHA team turns a profit, or spreads any money around. Your use of the word "offset" is probably an accurate take.
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All the same: What’s the difference between what AIC and Bentley are doing and what the rest of the NE10 could theoretically do with D-I schedules? At least AIC and Bentley can take a non-con game against BC or Harvard here and there to hope for a little more money than against Worcester State and Post.
 
Re: State of D-II Hockey

Mike Snee on the USCHO podcast today confirming:

The D-II schools are aware of their situation and have had discussions about D-I, but…

That they also do not have any stated interest in doing so, regardless of (or waiting to see?) what’s happened with their Women’s programs.
 
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2022/03/31_Atlantic-Hockey-Votes-to-.php

Stonehill gets a mention in CHN’s write up on a quasi-related story about Atlantic Hockey taking RMU back.
Stonehill, which is another Division II school that currently plays hockey in the Northeast 10 with several other D-II programs, may be moving up to Division I, sources have told CHN. The school's athletic department as a whole is applying for membership in the D-I Northeast Conference, an all-sport league that currently includes hockey schools Sacred Heart, Merrimack and Long Island. If the school is accepted, it would build a new rink and play as a D-I independent.​

Of course, the entirety of the NE-10 hockey conference could just play up together (for the same reason Utica could, as discussed elsewhere in the article), but one of them joining a D-I conference is a different thing altogether.
 
I've heard for the past month or so Stonehill was a possible move up. NEC makes sense, follow Merrimack. It is becoming the NE10 of DI.

I so wish SNHU would follow...so disappointing.
 
Wodon claiming that St Anselm is making calls to see what their options are (presumably to declare for Division I championship if they can arrange a conference). Even includes a quote from their head coach.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2022/06/10_With-Growing-Number-of-Independents.php

I have to imagine there would be conversations among all of the remaining D-II schools, regardless of whether each school is interested/serious or unlikely to do anything. But any time someone’s willing to be quoted in a piece like this, that’s hard to ignore.
 
ExileOnDaytonStreet said:
Wodon claiming that St Anselm is making calls to see what their options are (presumably to declare for Division I championship if they can arrange a conference). Even includes a quote from their head coach.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2022/06/10_With-Growing-Number-of-Independents.php

I have to imagine there would be conversations among all of the remaining D-II schools, regardless of whether each school is interested/serious or unlikely to do anything. But any time someone’s willing to be quoted in a piece like this, that’s hard to ignore.
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This makes me sick. I truly don't understand why SNHU isn't talking with Saint Anselm about this. NE10 hockey is useless. If the Hawks leave, that means between them and Stonehill we are down 6 games a year that we need to try to find opponents for. I really am wondering what the point of fielding a hockey team is anymore.
 
SNHUPenman said:
This makes me sick. I truly don't understand why SNHU isn't talking with Saint Anselm about this. NE10 hockey is useless. If the Hawks leave, that means between them and Stonehill we are down 6 games a year that we need to try to find opponents for. I really am wondering what the point of fielding a hockey team is anymore.
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We don’t know that SNHU isn’t talking to St A and/or Stonehill. Only that St A has had undisclosed discussions.

I’d reiterate that I honestly expect all of the NE-10 schools are at least talking. Even the ones that don’t intend on doing anything, just so they can know what’s going on around them.
 
ExileOnDaytonStreet said:
We don’t know that SNHU isn’t talking to St A and/or Stonehill. Only that St A has had undisclosed discussions.

I’d reiterate that I honestly expect all of the NE-10 schools are at least talking. Even the ones that don’t intend on doing anything, just so they can know what’s going on around them.
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I reached out to the AD at SNHU. He was forthcoming to tell me there are LOTS of talks going on. Re: hockey, football in the NE10 - etc. Most things may wait until we know what the DI transformation committee comes up with for the future of essentially the P5. They are holding us all hostage right now.

There is some belief (this is me, not him) that Utica may be in play for all sports besides hockey if they get into the Atlantic. That would replace Stonehill football in the NE10.

I would think a lot depends on what the parameters would be for a new league. Is there rules set by the NCAA for minimum requirements? Or can any league set their own rules. Depending on how desperate some programs might be they could accept almost anyone just to ensure that stability in their schedules.
 
SNHUPenman said:
I would think a lot depends on what the parameters would be for a new league. Is there rules set by the NCAA for minimum requirements? Or can any league set their own rules. Depending on how desperate some programs might be they could accept almost anyone just to ensure that stability in their schedules.
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Not really. Other than the obvious minimum number of members needed to get an AQ, the NCAA doesn't really care how you setup a league. Can accept anyone in good NCAA standing. Can even mix divisions within the same league if they want (though that could affect the AQ).
 
Once again, the notion comes up. This time with guests:

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2022/08/08_DeGregorio-Proposes-New-League.php

Granted, “Bob DeGregorio proposing something” isn’t the same thing as “all of these schools, or even a plurality, think this is a good idea”.

But DeGregorio is a well known name in these parts, and it’s hard to ignore how much more we’ve seen if this stuff in the press since the early days of this thread.
 
ExileOnDaytonStreet said:
Once again, the notion comes up. This time with guests:

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2022/08/08_DeGregorio-Proposes-New-League.php

Granted, “Bob DeGregorio proposing something” isn’t the same thing as “all of these schools, or even a plurality, think this is a good idea”.

But DeGregorio is a well known name in these parts, and it’s hard to ignore how much more we’ve seen if this stuff in the press since the early days of this thread.
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It feels like something is going to happen. Either we see the NE10 schools form a conference together to compete at DI or we see those who don't want to commit drop the sport. There isn't any middle ground anymore. How many times can they play each other in one season?
 
Back at the start of this thread, I postulated that part of it might be comfort in having the “exhibition” games against local D-III opponents. Most of these schools have tiny rinks and probably small budgets, so even the possible away game paydays at larger schools might not be enough for some of the ADs.

So maybe that (or something similar) is still in play to prevent this sort of thing.
 
Once the NCAA DI transformation committee finishes their proposals on the future of that division we may finally get an idea of where things will end up across the NCAA. It could be possible (ideal IMO) that division don't lock in - so in essence these DII schools could move a sport like hockey down to DIII or championship purposes. (OR DI).

I would prefer they all just commit the resources to DI hockey but if they aren't willing to do that they should dissolve the programs under the present circumstances.
 
This new d1 “ light league “
made up of NE-10 teams would be funny if
not true
What they seem to be exploring/ proposing is a D1 in name only without adequate funding or commitment to be a competitive D1 league
The women’s league ( NEWHA) that they are using as a model has some teams offering 12
scholarships and others offering 1
Talk about athletic parity !
Does anyone know of a truly competitive D1 league that does not offer 18 full scholarships beside the Ivies ( Union and RIT now can give scholarships and remain D3 in all other sports )?
Does anyone think without 18
full non need based scholarships and funding this new league can be taken seriously ?
i don’t
 
hawkhockey said:
( Union and RIT now can give scholarships and remain D3 in all other sports )?
Does anyone think without 18
full non need based scholarships and funding this new league can be taken seriously ?
i don’t
Click to expand...
This may have recently changed, but I believe Union still opts not to offer hockey scholarships.
 
hawkhockey said:
This new d1 “ light league “
made up of NE-10 teams would be funny if
not true
What they seem to be exploring/ proposing is a D1 in name only without adequate funding or commitment to be a competitive D1 league
The women’s league ( NEWHA) that they are using as a model has some teams offering 12
scholarships and others offering 1
Talk about athletic parity !
Does anyone know of a truly competitive D1 league that does not offer 18 full scholarships beside the Ivies ( Union and RIT now can give scholarships and remain D3 in all other sports )?
Does anyone think without 18
full non need based scholarships and funding this new league can be taken seriously ?
i don’t
Click to expand...

Some in the Saint Anselm ice hockey alumni contingent are so bitterly angry (it's pretty much blind anger at this point) that any step forward to rectify a long-standing bad situation that falls ANYWHERE short of 36 full scholarships (men+women) and immediate acceptance in Hockey East... they will talk badly about it, not support it, and ultimately hurt (and insult) the student-athletes in the process.

It's a real shame what some in the hockey alumni group have done and continue to do.
 
Last edited:
HawksHockey said:
Some in the Saint Anselm ice hockey alumni contingent are so bitterly angry (it's pretty much blind anger at this point) that any step forward to rectify a long-standing bad situation that falls ANYWHERE short of 36 full scholarships (men+women) and immediate acceptance in Hockey East... they will talk badly about it, not support it, and ultimately hurt (and insult) the student-athletes in the process.

It's a real shame what some in the hockey alumni group have done and continue to do.
Click to expand...

Do you think that waiting 22 tears for a solution to a problem the College created is cause for many hockey supporters Amato be a little angry ? In 2016 735 former players , parents and supporters sent a petition to the College asking them to address this hockey “ problem “ . No response !
what supporters are asking for is “ if “ the College decides to make the move to D1 in hockey that the school funds it so the program can compete . 18 full scholarships over 4 years is a more than reasonable . If AIC , Bentley, Mercyhurst, Niagara , Sacred Heart , Merrimack etc have decided to fund the appropriately, doesn t it make sense to follow suit .
Not sure where your Hockey East comment is coming from but the issue is funding at a legitimate D1 level , the league is secondary .
How does advocating adequate funding for a hockey program hurt and insult the student athletes ?
The attendance has dropped dramatically since 2015 when the started parlaying this NE-10: schedule , so it isn’t just the alumni that are not happy with the direction of the program and playing in a D1 light league against the same teams won.t help
The hockey community want the College to support the program the same way the alumni have supported it for years .
Without a commitment for 18:scholarships , they can call it D1 but it isn’t
But here is one thought to consider .
if the basketball team is given 10 scholarships ( NCAA max) to be competitive in D2 , why shouldn’t t the hockey team receive 18:to be competitive inD1 ?
 
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