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The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

Critical Thinker said:
So that's why there's WCHA officials walking around our campus right now.
Click to expand...

Maybe they're just changing the locks to the closet where the CCHA stuff is being held so that you guys can't break away from the WCHA that quickly? ;)
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

Concerning the new media guy at the league office, I was intrigued by this tidbit - "Hodson was with the San Francisco Giants media relations staff from 2001 until 2008. He played a key role in all communications efforts surrounding Barry Bonds' home run record chases in 2001 and 2007." Since Hodson apparently specialized in home run questions, was there a separate media guy who answered all the PED questions?
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

purpleinnebraska said:
I was intrigued by this tidbit - "Hodson was with the San Francisco Giants media relations staff from 2001 until 2008. He played a key role in all communications efforts surrounding Barry Bonds' home run record chases in 2001 and 2007."
Click to expand...
What exactly needed to "communicated" regarding a home run?
Ryan J

Media: Hello Yeah, um did Barry break the home run record today?
Hodson: No, but he is getting closer with each home run he hits.
Media: William Thacker from Horse and Hound here, did Barry hit any home runs today?
Hodson: Yes, he did. He hit one.
Media: I didn't see any horses or hounds during the game so I'm interested to hear more details about the home run. How did that happen?
Hodson: Well like I've told you several other days during this home run chance Mr Thacker, the pitcher threw the ball and Barry struck it with the bat causing it to travel in a parabolic arc beyond the field of play.
Media: Harry Doyle with TeePee Talk here - Can you clarify what happened during his other at bats? It appears that in some cases he hit the ball too high and in other cases too hard. Can you confirm this? Also is it true the Giants are considering trading Bonds to the Indians in exchange for Cerrano?
Hodson: *face-palm* I really need to find a job in hockey...
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

So this means Doug Spencer is out?

A pretty ignominious way for the WCHA to dismiss a guy who's been one of the best in the business for over a quarter century. One of the great guys in college hockey who you always were happy to see at the rink that night.

I'm sure one of the big reasons was that Doug didn't want to move to the Twin Cities.
 
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Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

Odds to win 2014-2015 NCAA championship.
courtesy of @irik101, a Mankato fan.

but hmph, how do they figure? where's Tech?

<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxCs_f8CAAEY_NU.jpg">
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

dxmnkd316 said:
Wasn't union loaded with seniors?
Click to expand...
They're only on the list for non-hockey fans who want to bet.
Ryan J

"Hey Ted, let's bet who wins the hockey thing this year."
"Ok, sounds good. Do you know who is a good team?"
"No not really. Who won last year? They must be good."
"Some Unionized team I think. I heard that the team was set up by Northwestern football players."
"Yeah, sounds like a winner to me..."
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

John J. MacInnes said:
So this means Doug Spencer is out?

A pretty ignominious way for the WCHA to dismiss a guy who's been one of the best in the business for over a quarter century. One of the great guys in college hockey who you always were happy to see at the rink that night.

I'm sure one of the big reasons was that Doug didn't want to move to the Twin Cities.
Click to expand...

Doug Spencer may have been good at what he did, but I think the job has passed him by. The WCHA needs better newer people in that department to move forward, not stay stuck in the past.
 
Shirtless Guy said:
Doug Spencer may have been good at what he did, but I think the job has passed him by. The WCHA needs better newer people in that department to move forward, not stay stuck in the past.
Click to expand...

As someone who has worked with, dealt with and relied upon the PR departments of the WCHA, CCHA, Big Ten and NCHC and three minor pro leagues over the past 20 years, Doug Spencer was the best, hands down, up to and including last year. His contributions will definitely be missed.
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

Dave can tell you whether Spence wanted to stay on or not. I do think that centralizing offices was a huge thing for the league. If Spence was willing to move and stick around, they just needed someone to handle social media and be done with it.

Oh, and I echo Michael's thoughts about UAH, save for the fact that I think Larose pulls into the 2:1 role as the #1 starter for UAH, likely starting both games of most home stands and splitting road starts. I sure hope that I'm right about that, because it will mean that he's suddenly up around .925 or so.

GFM
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

Well I'll venture a try at MTU's team this year, though I am not the expert by any means.

Tech brings in 9 freshmen, and will have a roster of 31 guys. Losses of note are a couple of starting defensemen and our starting goaltender. However jamie phillips, the no 2 goalie is here and there wasn't that much to choose between them last year. Cliff Watson and Walker Hyland will be back for their sophomore year at Defense and along with several new defensemen should make our defense better than last year. Our new guys will be better puck movers and faster skaters than last years crew, but that's just my opinion.

We brought in another goalie, Devin Kero, brother of Tanner Kero, who will compete for the job along with Wintjes, and Phillips.

Up Front most talent returns, with Blake Pietila, and Alex Petan leading a group of big, fast, physical forwards. I only counted only one of the freshmen under 6 ft tall.In addition I believe we have the fastest player in the WCHA in CJ Eick, who returns as well.

So as a whole the team will be faster, more mobile, and should score more goals. The biggest question mark is goaltending. I expect Tech to win more games than last year, and be competitive with anyone, however I think until they actually start play, it's hard to tell how they will do.

I'd like to hear from someone at Mankato and Ferris on their teams.
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

manurespreader said:
Well I'll venture a try at MTU's team this year, though I am not the expert by any means.

Tech brings in 9 freshmen, and will have a roster of 31 guys. Losses of note are a couple of starting defensemen and our starting goaltender. However jamie phillips, the no 2 goalie is here and there wasn't that much to choose between them last year. Cliff Watson and Walker Hyland will be back for their sophomore year at Defense and along with several new defensemen should make our defense better than last year. Our new guys will be better puck movers and faster skaters than last years crew, but that's just my opinion.

We brought in another goalie, Devin Kero, brother of Tanner Kero, who will compete for the job along with Wintjes, and Phillips.

Up Front most talent returns, with Blake Pietila, and Alex Petan leading a group of big, fast, physical forwards. I only counted only one of the freshmen under 6 ft tall.In addition I believe we have the fastest player in the WCHA in CJ Eick, who returns as well.

So as a whole the team will be faster, more mobile, and should score more goals. The biggest question mark is goaltending. I expect Tech to win more games than last year, and be competitive with anyone, however I think until they actually start play, it's hard to tell how they will do.

I'd like to hear from someone at Mankato and Ferris on their teams.
Click to expand...

It all boils down to better goaltending and getting special teams back where they belong. SV% greater than .915, PP back up over 20%, and PK up to at least 85%. If they can find all three of those things, hitting 20 wins for the first time since 1988 and having home ice for the first time since 1993 should happen.
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

The NCHC makes a pretty big splash copying the WCHA's streaming TV package. Just announced their "NCHC.tv" package.
http://www.nchc.tv/
Presale price of $81.99 for now, $89.99 is the regular price.
"NCHC ANNUAL PASS: Get access to all games, events and content for the entire conference for the whole year."
Each school alone is $75 for the year.


And I just tried to pull up the AmericaOne pages for the WCHA schools. Seems the option to buy a season pass is absent currently from the schools pages, and the links to (school name) WCHA only show a list of single games available for purchase at $8 a pop.

There a revamp to the WCHA.tv coming soon?

*edit* Whoops, found the WCHA.tv link on the WCHA website. http://www.americaonesports.com/package_wcha.asp
When I try to click on a package to purchase, it only offers up a one day free trial, not a full season package.

Must be some work being done still....
 
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Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

As much as I'd like to see the WCHA price come down now that the NCHC price has come out, there's really no connection there. The services aren't in competition because you either want to see NCHC games or WCHA games. The real influence on price is demand level from WCHA fans and what price maximizes revenue (assuming they can figure that out based on one year's data). The main issue is price elasticity of demand and I have a feeling that those who purchase it are not all that price sensitive (within certain limits) and those who haven't probably aren't that interested regardless of price.
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

oldish husky said:
As much as I'd like to see the WCHA price come down now that the NCHC price has come out, there's really no connection there. The services aren't in competition because you either want to see NCHC games or WCHA games. The real influence on price is demand level from WCHA fans and what price maximizes revenue (assuming they can figure that out based on one year's data). The main issue is price elasticity of demand and I have a feeling that those who purchase it are not all that price sensitive (within certain limits) and those who haven't probably aren't that interested regardless of price.
Click to expand...
The NCHC might also be hoping to get fans that are hockey fans that want more games, where the WCHA feels it can better maximize money by focusing on WCHA fans. I might e interesting in buying both to be able to see more games if I could figure out how to view them...and if I wasn't actually giving money to the NCHC ;)
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

I'd guess that the NCHC has less teams and even less teams that are part of the deal. You're only getting 7 teams with the NCHC, compared to 10 with the WCHA. Hence the cheaper price!
 
Re: The New WCHA, 2014 Offseason: See-ya, Bruce

Biddco said:
I'd guess that the NCHC has less teams and even less teams that are part of the deal. You're only getting 7 teams with the NCHC, compared to 10 with the WCHA. Hence the cheaper price!
Click to expand...

Why only 7?
 
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