The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

[JF_Gophers]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Yeah.. I can't wait to see the UAH fans flood into the conference tournament.. If or when they make it at all. And i can't wait to see all the Nanook and Seawolve jersey's flood into the conference tournament as well.. UAH averages just around 1,500 fans.. WOW!!! What a great product the WCHA has just picked up..

i doubt you'll be traveling to any of those places. So you cant really stand in judgement of their fans if thats the case.

 

[Biddco]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

He's the commissioner of the conference, and he apparently didn't at least have his ear to the ground on this issue. It seems he's learned nothing from the NCHC split, during which he appeared equally clueless, confused, and blindsided. He's content to sit in his office on DU's campus and let everyone else figure out solutions to the new WCHA's problems.

What I've never gotten is how on earth did he not hear about the NCHC formation? He was clueless, confused and blindsided by the news and yet the average fan on here knew that there was a "super conference" in the making.

 

[aparch]

What I've never gotten is how on earth did he not hear about the NCHC formation? He was clueless, confused and blindsided by the news and yet the average fan on here knew that there was a "super conference" in the making.

Same question I asked about Anastos, but he was handed a golden parachute from his Alma Mater.

I'm of the impression Bruce is a "money" guy: and what I mean is he's "good with calculations." Connecting the dots, the NCHC schools were unhappy with the "bankrolling" of the UAA's and MTU's of the WCHA year after year. How was it fair that these schools get such a large check generated from the Final Five when the "Like-Minded schools" did all the work at the Final Five.

Bruce, worked to make these teams equal. MTU, UAA, etc., were competitive against the UMinn, UND. All teams were on an equal footing.

The NCHC schools felt they were more equal than others.

As an outsider looking into the WCHA, Bruce was concerned with making the league work for everyone while managing expenses for all the members. I wouldn't call Bruce blind to the situation, but hopeful there would have been a compromise.

Hell, the least the NCHC schools could have done was approach everyone (WCHA and CCHA) and chart a course for both leagues after the B1G split.

But no, they had to plan backroom meetings and start their own conference.

 

[Dude Love]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

I mean, we have played Colorado College a grand total of 9 times, ever. We have little history with any of the NCHC teams except our former CCHA brethren who are coming over and becoming our conference mates, again.

Like I've been saying: nobody cares about Denver and CC.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Same question I asked about Anastos, but he was handed a golden parachute from his Alma Mater.

I'm of the impression Bruce is a "money" guy: and what I mean is he's "good with calculations." Connecting the dots, the NCHC schools were unhappy with the "bankrolling" of the UAA's and MTU's of the WCHA year after year. How was it fair that these schools get such a large check generated from the Final Five when the "Like-Minded schools" did all the work at the Final Five.

Bruce, worked to make these teams equal. MTU, UAA, etc., were competitive against the UMinn, UND. All teams were on an equal footing.

The NCHC schools felt they were more equal than others.

As an outsider looking into the WCHA, Bruce was concerned with making the league work for everyone while managing expenses for all the members. I wouldn't call Bruce blind to the situation, but hopeful there would have been a compromise.

Hell, the least the NCHC schools could have done was approach everyone (WCHA and CCHA) and chart a course for both leagues after the B1G split.

But no, they had to plan backroom meetings and start their own conference.

From the beginning, it was the backhanded way that they went about it that ****ed people off the most. They showed the hockey world the human slime that they truly are.

 

[Shootin Muffins]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Proof is in pudding and UAH has had two seasons in the last TEN years where they have averaged over 2,000 in attendence.. Their ten year average is right around 1,700.. So yes that is a concern given their location. It doesn't take a math magician to figure out given their location and the average attendence to figure out money wise it is a up hill battle. The community of Hunstville and its Alumni can only give so much for so long to keep a program a float.. At some point in time somethings gotta give! I truly wish Huntsville the best of luck and the WCHA. And yes i have traveled to Huntsville before and been at a UAH game, i also have been to anchorage on multiple occassions to watch WCHA games. I also will not be going back anytime soon to watch a game in those two given locations.

 

[Bale]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Same question I asked about Anastos, but he was handed a golden parachute from his Alma Mater.

I'm of the impression Bruce is a "money" guy: and what I mean is he's "good with calculations." Connecting the dots, the NCHC schools were unhappy with the "bankrolling" of the UAA's and MTU's of the WCHA year after year. How was it fair that these schools get such a large check generated from the Final Five when the "Like-Minded schools" did all the work at the Final Five.

Bruce, worked to make these teams equal. MTU, UAA, etc., were competitive against the UMinn, UND. All teams were on an equal footing.

The NCHC schools felt they were more equal than others.

As an outsider looking into the WCHA, Bruce was concerned with making the league work for everyone while managing expenses for all the members. I wouldn't call Bruce blind to the situation, but hopeful there would have been a compromise.

Hell, the least the NCHC schools could have done was approach everyone (WCHA and CCHA) and chart a course for both leagues after the B1G split.

But no, they had to plan backroom meetings and start their own conference.

I think this is more correct than anyone would like to admit. The NCHC schools thought they should get more than everyone else and because they weren't going to get those things in the new world, they decided to leave. Say what you want about McLeod, but the fact that smaller schools were able to stay afloat in a conference that had 2 of the biggest moneymakers in the country and compete against them says a lot. The NCHC schools thought they were entitled and McLeod wasn't going to bow down to them and hurt the rest of the schools to make them happy.

 

[Bale]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Proof is in pudding and UAH has had two seasons in the last TEN years where they have averaged over 2,000 in attendence.. Their ten year average is right around 1,700.. So yes that is a concern given their location. It doesn't take a math magician to figure out given their location and the average attendence to figure out money wise it is a up hill battle. The community of Hunstville and its Alumni can only give so much for so long to keep a program a float.. At some point in time somethings gotta give! I truly wish Huntsville the best of luck and the WCHA. And yes i have traveled to Huntsville before and been at a UAH game, i also have been to anchorage on multiple occassions to watch WCHA games. I also will not be going back anytime soon to watch a game in those two given locations.

With an attitude like yours, I'm sure they aren't shedding too many tears.

 

[aparch]

I certainly hope there's a reasonable and prudent clause attached to this... I foresee some of the schools who originally rejected them for the CCHA to take run-down busses to the farthest non-outlying location and then claim first class flight and five-star hotel for the UAH trip.

I think the article said there was a range to the checks, which would cap such shenanigans. And if UAH wants to audit it, ask each school to submit an invoice for expenses from the farthest trip with their request for assistance.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Proof is in pudding and UAH has had two seasons in the last TEN years where they have averaged over 2,000 in attendence.. Their ten year average is right around 1,700.. So yes that is a concern given their location. It doesn't take a math magician to figure out given their location and the average attendence to figure out money wise it is a up hill battle. The community of Hunstville and its Alumni can only give so much for so long to keep a program a float.. At some point in time somethings gotta give! I truly wish Huntsville the best of luck and the WCHA. And yes i have traveled to Huntsville before and been at a UAH game, i also have been to anchorage on multiple occassions to watch WCHA games. I also will not be going back anytime soon to watch a game in those two given locations.

I hear they have great attendance and atmosphere in Russia. May I suggest flying around there and taking in several games?

 

[Squarebanks]

The old WCHA seemed much like the SEC: Every team has an equal say and equal financial rights. What Vandy and Miss State say at the table is as meaningful as what Alabama or A&M say. It's a big reason why the SEC is the only major conference that has no exit penalty: nobody wants to leave.

The like-minded WCHA schools wanted something akin to the Big 12, where Texas rules the ship, and the other schools are there to serve them: "We keep you alive to serve this ship; row well and live" is my favorite analogy. It's truly unfortunate that the WCHA had to split up, especially considering college hockey is so far out of the national consciousness.

The point of all that is I believe McLeod did an admirable job securing equal footing for the small schools of the WCHA, akin to what the SEC does for somebody like Vandy. We can debate his competency all we want, and I may very well be time to move on from him, but I think he's a big reason my arch rival has a better funded athletic department (to date) than my alma mater does.

It's also why I think the incoming CCHA schools will have an easier time adjusting to the financial realities of the nWCHA...the CCHA payouts are nowhere near what the WCHA payouts have been.

In many regards it's a shame the CCHA is disbanding, because I've really liked what the league has done under Pletsch. He has been a big upgrade over Anastos.

Same question I asked about Anastos, but he was handed a golden parachute from his Alma Mater.

I'm of the impression Bruce is a "money" guy: and what I mean is he's "good with calculations." Connecting the dots, the NCHC schools were unhappy with the "bankrolling" of the UAA's and MTU's of the WCHA year after year. How was it fair that these schools get such a large check generated from the Final Five when the "Like-Minded schools" did all the work at the Final Five.

Bruce, worked to make these teams equal. MTU, UAA, etc., were competitive against the UMinn, UND. All teams were on an equal footing.

The NCHC schools felt they were more equal than others.

As an outsider looking into the WCHA, Bruce was concerned with making the league work for everyone while managing expenses for all the members. I wouldn't call Bruce blind to the situation, but hopeful there would have been a compromise.

Hell, the least the NCHC schools could have done was approach everyone (WCHA and CCHA) and chart a course for both leagues after the B1G split.

But no, they had to plan backroom meetings and start their own conference.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

As for minds being made up: they likely were. Altenkirch has been working the phones for months. I imagine that seeing the presentation in person, including the subsidy, and having that agree with what had been previously discussed is all that the presidents needed to see.

GFM

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Its nice to see that marquis NCwhatever conference matchup, DU-UNO pulled in such great numbers on NBC Sports! Finishing behind ECAC teams in ratings. Awesome.

 

[uaafanblog]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

This common and insipid idea that Bruce McLeod is somehow incompetent needs to be put to an end. The guy has been at the helm for the last nineteen years which coincidentally were the best years the WCHA ever had both in financial terms and visibility. What is it that you morons who deride him think he is? Commish of the NHL, NBA, MLB or NFL? He isnt. Those people are in charge of semi-independent organizations put in place to act as a defacto buffer between the owners and teams and to act in the best interest of the league. The owners actually ceded power to them to make decisions. And even then they still serve at the pleasure of the owners. A college hockey commish has no real power. NCAA presidents and Athletic Directors cede no real power to any conference commissioner. He is there to act as an intermediary between the schools and to be a spokesperson. That's it. He doesn't make decisions. He doesn't determine the direction of the league. He does peripheral things. Like setting up the Final Five. Wow, wasn't that tournament crap over the last 19 years?

If you have (and I doubt very much any of you do) any specific issues to lodge against him, why not do that? These generalized ... "he sucks" comments are played out. McLeod has performed his role adequately (as would have just about anyone else you'd put in such a job). Quit thinking of the precious WCHA as some sort of professional league and maybe you'll get over your unreasoned assessments of McLeod. Im sure if someone actually lists some grievance about the guy that an examination of the facts will show that it was the individual universities and their ADs who effed it up. About the only legitimate criticism you could lay against the guy is the refereeing situation. And you know what? Most fans from every other league in hockey think their refs suck too.

So let me hear it. What exactly has the guy done to be labeled incompetent by you buffoons?

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Its nice to see that marquis NCwhatever conference matchup, DU-UNO pulled in such great numbers on NBC Sports! Finishing behind ECAC teams in ratings. Awesome.

I thought the BHHC was supposed to be on CBS? I bet half of their expected games will be pre-empted by bouncyball.

 

[aparch]

I thought the BHHC was supposed to be on CBS? I bet half of their expected games will be pre-empted by bouncyball.

UNO and DU had agreements with NBC Sportsnet similar to Notre Dame Football has with NBC

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

For grins, here are the standings if the nWCHA was in play today. I used overall records, not conference, and 2 points for a win and 1 for a tie.

1. Minnesota State - 28 points
2. Lake Superior - 25 points
3. Ferris State - 23 points
4. Northern Michigan - 22 points (interesting considering they are dead last in CCHA play)
5. UAF - 20 points
6. Bowling Green - 19 points
7. Michigan Tech - 15 points
8. Bemidji State - 14 points
9. UAA - 10 points
10. UAH - 3 points

Using respective current conference standings, it goes like this:

1. Ferris State
2. Minnesota State
3. Lake Superior
4. UAF
5. Tie - Bowling Green & Bemidji State
7. Northern Michigan
8. Michigan Tech
9. UAA
10. UAH (technically not applicable since they have no current conference schedule).

 

[ChargerPowerPlay]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

For grins, here are the standings if the nWCHA was in play today. I used overall records, not conference, and 2 points for a win and 1 for a tie.

1. Minnesota State - 28 points
2. Lake Superior - 25 points
...
10. UAH - 3 points

At least UAH's 3 points came against the top two teams (two of the top three if you look at the standings), which, coincidentally, were the only teams in the nWCHA that they have played. In those two series UAH is 1-2-1 (3 points out of 8 possible).

I completely understand that the rest of UAH's schedule and record (0-infinity against D1 teams) is much more revealing about their true current form. I make no claims that UAH is very good right now. I am, however, very pleased that they will now have an opportunity to work on getting better rather than closing up shop.

cpp

 

[aparch]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Actually, I had a spreadsheet cooked up that converted the composite schedule from this season into next years conferences. I believe WMU and Miami are the only trouble issues since they haven't played each other (or fellow NCHC schools)

Giving WMU and Miami one 0-0 Tie (to appease the spreadsheet) I get the following (adjusted for win percentage against future conference mates)

1 MSUM 5-0-1
2 FSU 4-2-0
3 MTU 3-2-0
4 LSSU 7-5-0
5 NMU 2-2-1
6 UAf 2-4-2
6 UAH 1-2-1
6 BGSU 1-2-1
9 BSU 2-5-1
10 UAA 0-3-1

Again, that is adjusted by win percentage because of the different number of "conference" games played.

 

[aparch]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

For giggles, the NCHC is:
1 UNO
2 DU
3 UND
4 SCSU
5 Miami (with a fake tie for a .500 win%)
5 WMU (same fake tie vs Miami)
7 UMD
8 CC

And thanks to the lone win versus fellow B1G opponent tOSU:
1 PSU (one lone game vs all B1G schools for a win% of 1.000)
2 UMinn
3 tOSU
4 UMich
5 UW
6 MSU