Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
Play it at the Pullar in the Soo, or the Calumet Armory...errrr...Colosseum!
Play it at the Pullar in the Soo, or the Calumet Armory...errrr...Colosseum!
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The New WCHA (2013-14)
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MUhawks628
Love & Honor
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
Even I know the answer to this question is the George Gipp Ice Arena.
Even I know the answer to this question is the George Gipp Ice Arena.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
The Gipper just doesn't have the history of its predecessor, the Laurium Airport, located right next door!
The Gipper just doesn't have the history of its predecessor, the Laurium Airport, located right next door!
Iwearpurple
Registered User
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I agree. However, unless we change coaches, we will never see this in Mankato in our lifetime.
I agree. However, unless we change coaches, we will never see this in Mankato in our lifetime.
UpNorthHockey
MTU NMU LSSU
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
After seeing the NCAA midwest regionals at Resch, I'm starting to wonder if the nWCHA should be talking about a neutral ice playoff site. We may need to quit thinking about the new league tourney as a cash cow. Without the big schools, it's not likely to be a money maker anymore, particularly if it's held on neutral ground. Let's look at the facts....even if we get five of the nine teams at the tourney, how many fans are likely to travel from each school? Say Ferris, Tech, NMU, Bemidji and Alaska make the tourney. Even if 200 people (i.e. 3 busses) travel from each school (and that's optimistic), that's still only 1000 seats sold. Maybe 1000 more locals and exPats show up. That's still way fewer people and way more expense than holding the games at participating schools' arenas. Each school can easily put 3000 - 5000 butts in the seats for a home tourney game. Regardless of how you share tourney revenue around the league, that still generates more overall money than renting a half empty neutral arena hundreds of miles away. Maybe I'm overlooking something here, but it seems pretty clear cut. I can't imagine a scenario in which a neutral ice tourney site would make financial sense in the nWCHA. I would add that the old tourney was a money maker largely because of proximity to large team fan bases (MN, WI, ND) that travel in the thousands. I frankly, think that the NCHC will have trouble breaking even on a large neutral site if ND isn't in the tourney.
After seeing the NCAA midwest regionals at Resch, I'm starting to wonder if the nWCHA should be talking about a neutral ice playoff site. We may need to quit thinking about the new league tourney as a cash cow. Without the big schools, it's not likely to be a money maker anymore, particularly if it's held on neutral ground. Let's look at the facts....even if we get five of the nine teams at the tourney, how many fans are likely to travel from each school? Say Ferris, Tech, NMU, Bemidji and Alaska make the tourney. Even if 200 people (i.e. 3 busses) travel from each school (and that's optimistic), that's still only 1000 seats sold. Maybe 1000 more locals and exPats show up. That's still way fewer people and way more expense than holding the games at participating schools' arenas. Each school can easily put 3000 - 5000 butts in the seats for a home tourney game. Regardless of how you share tourney revenue around the league, that still generates more overall money than renting a half empty neutral arena hundreds of miles away. Maybe I'm overlooking something here, but it seems pretty clear cut. I can't imagine a scenario in which a neutral ice tourney site would make financial sense in the nWCHA. I would add that the old tourney was a money maker largely because of proximity to large team fan bases (MN, WI, ND) that travel in the thousands. I frankly, think that the NCHC will have trouble breaking even on a large neutral site if ND isn't in the tourney.
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gfmorris
New member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
Admit UAH and we'll work with the Bridgestone Arena to host. They desperately a Frozen Four in Nashville.
GFM
Admit UAH and we'll work with the Bridgestone Arena to host. They desperately a Frozen Four in Nashville.
GFM
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
If you're going to do campus sites, I think you have to award next year's conference tournament to the winner of this year's regular season. That way there is time to schedule things and setup alaska flights if necessary, etc.
If you're going to do campus sites, I think you have to award next year's conference tournament to the winner of this year's regular season. That way there is time to schedule things and setup alaska flights if necessary, etc.
gfmorris
New member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I had a big case of bus legs on that one. Our boys flew. I really wish I could have. [Especially when we lost in the semis and I had to get on the bus to go home rather than see the final.]
GFM
That blows my mind
I had a big case of bus legs on that one. Our boys flew. I really wish I could have. [Especially when we lost in the semis and I had to get on the bus to go home rather than see the final.]
GFM
gfmorris
New member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I honestly think that the only way you can make it work is to go with a small facility and drive demand through small supply. Find a barn with 2,000 seats and do it old time hockey style. Will people mock the nWCHA for it? Yes, but wouldn't the nWCHA be mocked for tumbleweeds at the Resch? It's lose-lose unless you look at having a small barn as a feature. Imagine a world where the league is having to look for a bigger barn because the demand for the current host is too high.
Small barn, beer sales, reasonably priced hotels, and easy transit. That should be all that you need. If this is at a member school? Awesome. If it's neutral site? Awesome.
GFM
I honestly think that the only way you can make it work is to go with a small facility and drive demand through small supply. Find a barn with 2,000 seats and do it old time hockey style. Will people mock the nWCHA for it? Yes, but wouldn't the nWCHA be mocked for tumbleweeds at the Resch? It's lose-lose unless you look at having a small barn as a feature. Imagine a world where the league is having to look for a bigger barn because the demand for the current host is too high.
Small barn, beer sales, reasonably priced hotels, and easy transit. That should be all that you need. If this is at a member school? Awesome. If it's neutral site? Awesome.
GFM
gfmorris
New member
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
It really would be a great time for the folks that come. Bridgestone is right in the middle of downtown, and there's bars, food, and Nashville music aplenty within easy walking distance. There's nice hotels up the street away from the river. There's easy accommodations all around downtown. It really would be an event.
GFM
It really would be a great time for the folks that come. Bridgestone is right in the middle of downtown, and there's bars, food, and Nashville music aplenty within easy walking distance. There's nice hotels up the street away from the river. There's easy accommodations all around downtown. It really would be an event.
GFM
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
Much like Tampa is a very good spot, so is Nashville. They both have easy flight connections, plenty of dining, drinking, shopping and lodging within walking distance of the arenas, and you are almost guaranteed good weather at that time of year.
Much like Tampa is a very good spot, so is Nashville. They both have easy flight connections, plenty of dining, drinking, shopping and lodging within walking distance of the arenas, and you are almost guaranteed good weather at that time of year.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
Well put. As a long time attendee to the current Final Five, the simple fact of the matter is that after next year, its gone forever. College hockey will NEVER capture that atmosphere, attendance and cash again. The Big Ten tourney will do alright at St. paul, but it won't be the same, and the NCHC is in for a rude awakening when it comes to their tourney (unless they hold it in Grand Forks every year). So the WCHA is left to pick up the pieces, and even though I wish it could still be held at the X, there is no way it will work. I think by holding it it a smaller arena (I think 2,000 is to small) and marketing the hell out of it, along with getting it on TV, as well as a web stream for those who simply cant make it they could get the attendance up to perhaps find a 4K venue that would hold it and give a good atmosphere.
I do think that a league city would be ideal, perhaps a rotation to start between Bemidji (new state of the art arena, enough hotel space, but city doesn't offer alot), Mankato (once they renovate their arena it should be pretty nice), Marquette (I have no idea on their arena? but the city is nice and offers alot of other activities).
I am biased towards the northen half of the league here, but from what I have seen I will say that these teams will travel the best. If it is anywhere in the UP, then at least 4 teams are within reasonable driving distance. Bemidji is getting out there, but it has probably the nicest arena of the new WCHA, and its city will embrace the tourney. I have to believe that the WCHA could put together some package deals to whatever city for travel. Make it an event with plenty going on between games, and make sure to sell beer, liquor and shirts. The best thing about the current final five is that it is a known entity... I know its in St. Paul every year, and there is no last minute travel plans to deal with.
It all boils down to marketing, and I think over time it could work, drive up demand and atmosphere by playing in front of 3-4k fans, and if we need a bigger site, than that is a great problem to have. I really think we are better off growing this tournament within our own fan bases first, and then try and sell it to a bigger audience down the road. I belief that will produce a better long term result.
Well put. As a long time attendee to the current Final Five, the simple fact of the matter is that after next year, its gone forever. College hockey will NEVER capture that atmosphere, attendance and cash again. The Big Ten tourney will do alright at St. paul, but it won't be the same, and the NCHC is in for a rude awakening when it comes to their tourney (unless they hold it in Grand Forks every year). So the WCHA is left to pick up the pieces, and even though I wish it could still be held at the X, there is no way it will work. I think by holding it it a smaller arena (I think 2,000 is to small) and marketing the hell out of it, along with getting it on TV, as well as a web stream for those who simply cant make it they could get the attendance up to perhaps find a 4K venue that would hold it and give a good atmosphere.
I do think that a league city would be ideal, perhaps a rotation to start between Bemidji (new state of the art arena, enough hotel space, but city doesn't offer alot), Mankato (once they renovate their arena it should be pretty nice), Marquette (I have no idea on their arena? but the city is nice and offers alot of other activities).
I am biased towards the northen half of the league here, but from what I have seen I will say that these teams will travel the best. If it is anywhere in the UP, then at least 4 teams are within reasonable driving distance. Bemidji is getting out there, but it has probably the nicest arena of the new WCHA, and its city will embrace the tourney. I have to believe that the WCHA could put together some package deals to whatever city for travel. Make it an event with plenty going on between games, and make sure to sell beer, liquor and shirts. The best thing about the current final five is that it is a known entity... I know its in St. Paul every year, and there is no last minute travel plans to deal with.
It all boils down to marketing, and I think over time it could work, drive up demand and atmosphere by playing in front of 3-4k fans, and if we need a bigger site, than that is a great problem to have. I really think we are better off growing this tournament within our own fan bases first, and then try and sell it to a bigger audience down the road. I belief that will produce a better long term result.
manurespreader
Still upright
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
Ok here's a few more ideas.
I like holding it in the soo. There are quite a number of hockey fans in the soo, it's close to one of the schools, it's centrally located, and here's the kicker. How about Soo Canada. The essar center holds what 5000 fans, and it's a nice arena. Would be worth looking into as well.
second idea. students don't normally pay much money to go to a playoff series, alumni do. So Van Andel being near alumni might work as long as it's not too expensive. I'm against the campus sites for the reasons beaver hockey mentioned plus a few more. I think you have to find a neutral site that can 1, not lose too much money, 2. be close enough to go to and 3, will be willing to work with the league to get local people in. Having in soo canada might do all of those things.
The greyhounds might not like it but it's not their arena.
Ok here's a few more ideas.
I like holding it in the soo. There are quite a number of hockey fans in the soo, it's close to one of the schools, it's centrally located, and here's the kicker. How about Soo Canada. The essar center holds what 5000 fans, and it's a nice arena. Would be worth looking into as well.
second idea. students don't normally pay much money to go to a playoff series, alumni do. So Van Andel being near alumni might work as long as it's not too expensive. I'm against the campus sites for the reasons beaver hockey mentioned plus a few more. I think you have to find a neutral site that can 1, not lose too much money, 2. be close enough to go to and 3, will be willing to work with the league to get local people in. Having in soo canada might do all of those things.
The greyhounds might not like it but it's not their arena.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
I've got to believe there are several reasonable choices in the Chicago metro area.
Let's face it, we're not going to need a 19,000 seat building, probably not even a 7-8000 seater.
What ever happened to the building where UIC used to play? I remember it was pretty nice (15-20 yrs ago, anyway)
If I'm not mistaken, there's a USHL team that plays in the suburb of Bensenville...I think that's about a five-iron from O'Hare. I don't know what they hold, but a place like that might be a good starting point.
Getting connections in/out of Chicago is easy no matter where you're coming from.
I've got to believe there are several reasonable choices in the Chicago metro area.
Let's face it, we're not going to need a 19,000 seat building, probably not even a 7-8000 seater.
What ever happened to the building where UIC used to play? I remember it was pretty nice (15-20 yrs ago, anyway)
If I'm not mistaken, there's a USHL team that plays in the suburb of Bensenville...I think that's about a five-iron from O'Hare. I don't know what they hold, but a place like that might be a good starting point.
Getting connections in/out of Chicago is easy no matter where you're coming from.
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
Just a thought: Why not invite Air Force to the new WCHA, and have Al-Hunt replace Air Force in the AHA? Would those be good fits?
Out of curiosity, what is the history behind Air Force (located in Colorado) being in the Atlantic Hockey Association?
Just a thought: Why not invite Air Force to the new WCHA, and have Al-Hunt replace Air Force in the AHA? Would those be good fits?
Out of curiosity, what is the history behind Air Force (located in Colorado) being in the Atlantic Hockey Association?
Re: The New WCHA (2013-14)
That's the only reason? Can you expand? In football, Air Force is in Mountain West and Army is Independent; so, that doesn't seem to matter.
That's the only reason? Can you expand? In football, Air Force is in Mountain West and Army is Independent; so, that doesn't seem to matter.
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