The new Super League is going down the tubes.

[Bronzebacks]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

And I've wondered if UMD isn't thinking even bigger than this. UNO finally got permission to go full DI in Nebraska. I'm wondering if that isn't in the long-range plans for UMD in Minnesota.

That has crossed my mind as well. I am not convinced that going full D-I is a great fit for every D-II university as a solution. In reality,University of Minnesota struggles to compete consistantly across the board at the D-I level. And we are talking a much larger market than Duluth, Fargo, Grand Forks, Brookings, Vermillion, etc. That's not to say that smaller programs/market's can not be successful at the D-I level, just highly unlikely.

 

[darker98]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I could care less if the Colorado schools left, UND (taking UMD with them) is the one that sucks and will continue to bother me. It was easy to see this happening to some extent eventually but I was hoping we'd at least try the Final Five without the B1Gs and see how it went for a year or 2...

I would have liked to see how this went as well. Only thing is if it didn't work out. The break away schools are 4 years behind where they would have been.

 

[Biddco]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

That has crossed my mind as well. I am not convinced that going full D-I is a great fit for every D-II university as a solution. In reality,University of Minnesota struggles to compete consistantly across the board at the D-I level. And we are talking a much larger market than Duluth, Fargo, Grand Forks, Brookings, Vermillion, etc. That's not to say that smaller programs/market's can not be successful at the D-I level, just highly unlikely.

I think UMD will stay at the DII level. They have had great success at the DII level and it may not be worth it. Duluth is a small market.

I am not so sure that UMD leaving the WCHA is going to work out so great for them. I could be wrong.

I am biased of course, but if UMD stayed with the WCHA, they could have possibly hosted the conference tournament. Travel costs would stay in check as geographicly they would be the best posistioned. They would be the big dog in the conference and be in the running for an auto bid every year. Add NMU into the mix and the WCHA looks pretty good. I wish all of the MN schools excluding the Gophers would have stayed together. The in-state rivalries would have strengthened and flourished.

There is a lot of should of, could of scenarios. Scary times.

This is all true, but what I think worried Sandy is that recruiting could be taking a hit by remaining the WCHA and having the NCHC around. Recruiting players depends on saying "we play x, y and z and you will be noticed on a national level". I think UMD would rather say Denver, UND, Miami, than say, BSU, SCSU, and NMU.

Also, the better marketing and (hopefully) a television deal with be a big step for UMD and the NCHC. People maybe critical now, but we will see when the league takes better shape. Things are so early right now that I am holding off on judging too much.

I will miss the local rivalries a lot...but I believe we will play a lot in non-conference play.

 

[Bronzebacks]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Biddco,

You make valid points. I am sceptical about this national TV deal though. Sure the NCHC may get that initial contract. But the ratings will not be there to sustain it long term. As many point out, the NHL struggles to gain ratings in their TV markets.

MN & MI are recruiting hot beds for all of college hockey. A lot,(not all) of these kids commit to schools that are economically feasible for their family and friends to be able to see them play. The only school in the NCHC UMD can easily commute to will be UND and that is a 4-1/2 Hr. drive. NC games will be critical for UMD. In-state recruiting may take a big hit. Like I said, I have been wrong before. Just some thoughts.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I think the NCHC should adopt the nickname "Nat-Cs".

There was an idea kicked around in the Tech Thread to call em the NaCHo's. I like that one better.

I am not so sure that UMD leaving the WCHA is going to work out so great for them. I could be wrong.

I am biased of course, but if UMD stayed with the WCHA, they could have possibly hosted the conference tournament. Travel costs would stay in check as geographicly they would be the best posistioned. They would be the big dog in the conference and be in the running for an auto bid every year. Add NMU into the mix and the WCHA looks pretty good. I wish all of the MN schools excluding the Gophers would have stayed together. The in-state rivalries would have strengthened and flourished.

There is a lot of should of, could of scenarios. Scary times.

True, I mean I can see why UMD made the jump when the offer came down to them. Honestly, I don't think there's not another team that left in the WCHA right now that could have said no to that offer. Still, I can see UMD being a school that would have second thoughts about the NaCHo, especially if they can't lure in Norte Dame and get a decent TV contract.

And I've wondered if UMD isn't thinking even bigger than this. UNO finally got permission to go full DI in Nebraska. I'm wondering if that isn't in the long-range plans for UMD in Minnesota.

At what cost there Sicatoka? Dropping Football and the Wrestling team the night after they just won a National Championship??

That has crossed my mind as well. I am not convinced that going full D-I is a great fit for every D-II university as a solution. In reality,University of Minnesota struggles to compete consistantly across the board at the D-I level. And we are talking a much larger market than Duluth, Fargo, Grand Forks, Brookings, Vermillion, etc. That's not to say that smaller programs/market's can not be successful at the D-I level, just highly unlikely.

Yeah, Duluth isn't in any good position to transition everything else up to D1 unless it really wants spend about another 10 million a year just to have their name on ESPN's Ticker and get to be the special invitee for Cupcake Games.

 

[Biddco]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Biddco,

You make valid points. I am sceptical about this national TV deal though. Sure the NCHC may get that initial contract. But the ratings will not be there to sustain it long term. As many point out, the NHL struggles to gain ratings in their TV markets.

MN & MI are recruiting hot beds for all of college hockey. A lot,(not all) of these kids commit to schools that are economically feasible for their family and friends to be able to see them play. The only school in the NCHC UMD can easily commute to will be UND and that is a 4-1/2 Hr. drive. NC games will be critical for UMD. In-state recruiting may take a big hit. Like I said, I have been wrong before. Just some thoughts.

I've thought that too, about the tv deal, but only time will tell.

UMD has not had a player from Michigan in their history (last I checked). I think UMD's recruting will be just fine. Amsoil and a National Championship are already on our side.

I can see this conference being something that puts UMD over other MN WCHA schools or possibility Big 10 Schools. But time will tell.

 

[Biddco]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

t what cost there Sicatoka? Dropping Football and the Wrestling team the night after they just won a National Championship??


Yeah, Duluth isn't in any good position to transition everything else up to D1 unless it really wants spend about another 10 million a year just to have their name on ESPN's Ticker and get to be the special invitee for Cupcake Games.

That cost was worth it for UNO.

Exactly. UMD has little to gain from a move. Plus I feel like our facilities would be awful at a DI level.

 

[Bronzebacks]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Regardless, No ill will on the Bulldogs. Best of luck you guys. Repersent MN well in the NCHC.

 

[SanTropez]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I've thought that too, about the tv deal, but only time will tell.

I think if Notre Dame heads to the NCHC (which is very likely) then a TV deal of some sort will follow.

I'm sure the "breakaway" teams had this in mind when they were leaving their existing conferences.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I am sceptical about this national TV deal though. Sure the NCHC may get that initial contract. But the ratings will not be there to sustain it long term. As many point out, the NHL struggles to gain ratings in their TV markets.

Ratings aren't as important on cable television. Yes they sell advertising but they get money from the cable/dish providers for each customer. As long as they have programming and the cable/dish companies keep sending them checks they are happy.

If the six schools come along and agree to buy ad time for PSA's [Here's Becky. She chose to major in Astrophysics at UND because she wants to change the world] all the better.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

That cost was worth it for the UNO administration.

Exactly. UMD has little to gain from a move. Plus I feel like our facilities would be awful at a DI level.

Fixed that for ya. There's still a lot of fans, alums, and other big donors in the Omaha area that are not happy about it.

and well, from what I have seen of your athletic facilities, mind you pretty much just the football stadium in 2009, there's just not much there for a D1 league to really want to give UMD an invite to move up. Griggs isn't that big, and honestly, because of the climate of Duluth, they would like to see a small indoor stadium at least, something much like UND's Alerus Center or perhaps the Yooper Dome in Marquette. Something in between them would be ideal. Then there's the basketball issue and where you guys play there, and I'm totally ignorant of that situation, other than I'm fairly sure you don't play BB in the AMSOIL. And I figure you might have a better idea of if where they do play is anything decent.

 

[alfablue]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I think if Notre Dame heads to the NCHC (which is very likely) then a TV deal of some sort will follow.

I'm sure the "breakaway" teams had this in mind when they were leaving their existing conferences.

I'm going to disagree on that one. Fully for money reasons.

for the non-NCAA hockey fan, which game will you watch:
ND vs. BC
ND vs. UConn
ND vs. North Dakota
ND vs. Denver.
ND vs. Boston
ND vs. Duluth.

As a non-fan, you really don't know how good or bad any of the opposition is, but you do know that ND plays BC in football all the time, BC and UConn in BB all the time, Boston sounds interesting. Denver, maybe, if you live in the mountains. North Dakota or Duluth? Yea, not so much. I saw "Fargo".

This is all about money- there are far more potential viewer$ via Hockey East than NCHC.

I hope I'm wrong, for sure. But I just don't see the NCHC getting a lot of new eyes to college hockey via VS.

 

[geezer]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I hear J T Miller is all excited about the chance to play in the new SuperStars Super Elite League.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I'm going to disagree on that one. Fully for money reasons.

for the non-NCAA hockey fan, which game will you watch:
ND vs. BC
ND vs. UConn
ND vs. North Dakota
ND vs. Denver.
ND vs. Boston
ND vs. Duluth.

As a non-fan, you really don't know how good or bad any of the opposition is, but you do know that ND plays BC in football all the time, BC and UConn in BB all the time, Boston sounds interesting. Denver, maybe, if you live in the mountains. North Dakota or Duluth? Yea, not so much. I saw "Fargo".

This is all about money- there are far more potential viewer$ via Hockey East than NCHC.

I hope I'm wrong, for sure. But I just don't see the NCHC getting a lot of new eyes to college hockey via VS.

The Versus option will be dependent upon Canadians watching College Hockey. Like close to everyone on here, I'm skeptical (at best) of that being a success. That being said, if they do watch, it will be to watch their pro teams prospects, and I don't think they would care whether it's Notre Dame vs Boston College or North Dakota vs Denver. Of course, this is all my opinion .

 

[dggoddard]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I'm going to disagree on that one. Fully for money reasons.

for the non-NCAA hockey fan, which game will you watch:
ND vs. BC
ND vs. UConn
ND vs. North Dakota
ND vs. Denver.
ND vs. Boston
ND vs. Duluth.

As a non-fan, you really don't know how good or bad any of the opposition is, but you do know that ND plays BC in football all the time, BC and UConn in BB all the time, Boston sounds interesting. Denver, maybe, if you live in the mountains. North Dakota or Duluth? Yea, not so much. I saw "Fargo".

This is all about money- there are far more potential viewer$ via Hockey East than NCHC.

I hope I'm wrong, for sure. But I just don't see the NCHC getting a lot of new eyes to college hockey via VS.

People talk about Hocket East and always bring up Boston College. Lets not forget that UMass, Lowell, Merrimack, Providence, Northeastern & Vermont are 60% of the conference.

Gwozdecky said yesterday that he's been talking "daily" to Jeff Jackson. Good sign.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I hear J T Miller is all excited about the chance to play in the new SuperStars Super Elite League.

I would be thrilled if he played three years, but I doubt he makes it past one or two.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

The Versus option will be dependent upon Canadians watching College Hockey. Like close to everyone on here, I'm skeptical (at best) of that being a success. That being said, if they do watch, it will be to watch their pro teams prospects, and I don't think they would care whether it's Notre Dame vs Boston College or North Dakota vs Denver. Of course, this is all my opinion .

You forgot to open with: "I'm a North Dakota fan and I'm totally against this new conference."

 

[Biddco]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I hear J T Miller is all excited about the chance to play in the new SuperStars Super Elite League.

Oh yeah that is why he left.

FS23, he is now going to the OHL.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Oh yeah that is why he left.

FS23, he is now going to the OHL.

Well that sucks. He would have been a great player at UND, but I wish him the best luck in the OHL.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

The Versus option will be dependent upon Canadians watching College Hockey. Like close to everyone on here, I'm skeptical (at best) of that being a success. That being said, if they do watch, it will be to watch their pro teams prospects, and I don't think they would care whether it's Notre Dame vs Boston College or North Dakota vs Denver. Of course, this is all my opinion .

So North Dakota and the rest of the NCHC will have to focus on recruiting players that will be drafted by Canadian NHL teams? That should be easy