USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
UConn to apply to Hockey East
- Thread starter KnightsOfTheRound
- Start date
brassbonanza
Super Serial
UConn definitely has potential in any sport but I wouldn't use the Toyota Classic as a selling point. First of all, RPI actually had a good turnout (no, not 25) for a Thurs/Fri tournament. It was certainly more than UConn brought to the RPI Tournament for their 4th place finish the year before. More importantly, a 2-day tournament with the host reaching the final drew a total of 3,000 after the host practically gave tickets away (IIRC they had a $2 special). Students or no students that is nothing to hang your hat on.
That wouldn't be so bad except they were the two best crowds of the year for the Huskies by far.
Patman
Rodent of Unusual Size
Fishman'81
Black Bear since D-2
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
(The Big East is "weak" compared to what..? The Empire Eight, or whatever D-3 conference RPI plays football in? PUL-LEEZE, John.)
Those of us with long memories still consider RPI a relevant hockey school, but recent evidence is to the contrary. UConn is a no-brainer by comparison.
As much as I enjoy strapping on the side-arm and walking up the hill through that lovely Troy neighborhood to Houston for games (and I actually do) UConn's upside is many light-years ahead of RPI's.
(The Big East is "weak" compared to what..? The Empire Eight, or whatever D-3 conference RPI plays football in? PUL-LEEZE, John.)
Those of us with long memories still consider RPI a relevant hockey school, but recent evidence is to the contrary. UConn is a no-brainer by comparison.
As much as I enjoy strapping on the side-arm and walking up the hill through that lovely Troy neighborhood to Houston for games (and I actually do) UConn's upside is many light-years ahead of RPI's.
Last edited:
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
UConn has a higher upside, but what is the odds that they will get there, say in ten years?
UConn has a higher upside, but what is the odds that they will get there, say in ten years?
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
The Big East is weak as far as a Division 1 football conference. What does their football have to do with upside? How many of the current D-1 hockey teams even have a major Division 1 football program? So what is it. Their arena? Their huge fan base? Or is it their rich tradition and tremendous name recognition when you watch all of the NHL telecasts. Maybe its the state of Connecticut and their huge budget deficit that everyone is banking on. UConn hockey and their 400 fans is probably at the top of their priority list. No brainer!
The Big East is weak as far as a Division 1 football conference. What does their football have to do with upside? How many of the current D-1 hockey teams even have a major Division 1 football program? So what is it. Their arena? Their huge fan base? Or is it their rich tradition and tremendous name recognition when you watch all of the NHL telecasts. Maybe its the state of Connecticut and their huge budget deficit that everyone is banking on. UConn hockey and their 400 fans is probably at the top of their priority list. No brainer!
Last edited:
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Folks, at the end of the day (and I hate to say it), ESPN type considerations are going to decide. (You may recall that ESPN has been the driving force behind the recent football realignment and restructuring?) Name recognition, TV exposure.
Brassbonanza, gotta disagree with you. Lack of scholarships has had everything to do with lack of recruiting success of local talent. Let's see: go to Boston on a ride or play in a lower league without one? Pretty easy choice.
Folks, at the end of the day (and I hate to say it), ESPN type considerations are going to decide. (You may recall that ESPN has been the driving force behind the recent football realignment and restructuring?) Name recognition, TV exposure.
Brassbonanza, gotta disagree with you. Lack of scholarships has had everything to do with lack of recruiting success of local talent. Let's see: go to Boston on a ride or play in a lower league without one? Pretty easy choice.
Nick Papagiorgio
Holding court
As BC found out with their multiple conference championships and BCS bowl bids when they were in it.
Durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Are you related to Jdubbs?
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
As long as we're talking upside, it seem to me that RPI is better positioned to enter HEA now than UCONN. Looking recent results, RPI has turned a corner and will have a higher profile in the ECAC. This year's results reflected a number of things, not the least of which was replacing a strong senior class and three very promising underclassmen who turned to the professional ranks. (UCONN's had that experience... in basketball... and they know that can happen when you recruit strong candidates.) With a solid coach who recruits well, an ascendant RPI can make some noise in HEA and, in time, compete to break into the top four/five.
I get that UCONN has resources (although it hasn't really sought to use them... where UCONN and an investment in hockey would sit with the Trustees and the $Legislature, who knows?) and there are good prep schools in-state and they would be a nice geographic fit. Talking geography, It seems to me that they're destined for the southern half of the HEA standings for years to come.
As long as we're talking upside, it seem to me that RPI is better positioned to enter HEA now than UCONN. Looking recent results, RPI has turned a corner and will have a higher profile in the ECAC. This year's results reflected a number of things, not the least of which was replacing a strong senior class and three very promising underclassmen who turned to the professional ranks. (UCONN's had that experience... in basketball... and they know that can happen when you recruit strong candidates.) With a solid coach who recruits well, an ascendant RPI can make some noise in HEA and, in time, compete to break into the top four/five.
I get that UCONN has resources (although it hasn't really sought to use them... where UCONN and an investment in hockey would sit with the Trustees and the $Legislature, who knows?) and there are good prep schools in-state and they would be a nice geographic fit. Talking geography, It seems to me that they're destined for the southern half of the HEA standings for years to come.
Last edited:
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
We do not know that RPI is even interested in joining the HEA. There has been no announcement of an application or an investigation of the possibility. Indeed RPI's coach has stated that he is happy with the ECAC and thinks it is the correct place (or something like that.
At least twice before the RPI hockey program and athletic department was interested in the HEA, and the HEA was supposedly interested in RPI (when the HEA was formed and then about 10 years later when Powers was RPI's coach). Both times the RPI admins nixed it saying that the ECAC was a better fit for the school. Personally, I think that RPI is indeed interested now, and Seth Appert only said he was happy with the ECAC since he tested the waters and found that HEA is not interested, and he wanted to save face.
We do not know that RPI is even interested in joining the HEA. There has been no announcement of an application or an investigation of the possibility. Indeed RPI's coach has stated that he is happy with the ECAC and thinks it is the correct place (or something like that.
At least twice before the RPI hockey program and athletic department was interested in the HEA, and the HEA was supposedly interested in RPI (when the HEA was formed and then about 10 years later when Powers was RPI's coach). Both times the RPI admins nixed it saying that the ECAC was a better fit for the school. Personally, I think that RPI is indeed interested now, and Seth Appert only said he was happy with the ECAC since he tested the waters and found that HEA is not interested, and he wanted to save face.
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Maybe its me but current results have very little to do with the equation. If UConn has a suitable arena, decides they can afford the scholarships and can somehow show they have the fan base to support this then they are better suited for the opening in Hockey East. If not I think RPI has the necessary criteria to fill the slot.
As long as we're talking upside, it seem to me that RPI is better positioned to enter HEA now than UCONN. Looking recent results, RPI has turned a corner and will have a higher profile in the ECAC. This year's results reflected a number of things, not the least of which was replacing a strong senior class and three very promising underclassmen who turned to the professional ranks. (UCONN's had that experience... in basketball... and they know that can happen when you recruit strong candidates.) With a solid coach who recruits well, an ascendant RPI can make some noise in HEA and, in time, compete to break into the top four/five.
I get that UCONN has resources (although it hasn't really sought to use them... where UCONN and an investment in hockey would sit with the Trustees and the $Legislature, who knows?) and there are good prep schools in-state and they would be a nice geographic fit. Talking geography, It seems to me that they're destined for the southern half of the HEA standings for years to come.
Maybe its me but current results have very little to do with the equation. If UConn has a suitable arena, decides they can afford the scholarships and can somehow show they have the fan base to support this then they are better suited for the opening in Hockey East. If not I think RPI has the necessary criteria to fill the slot.
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
The odd thing is that I think that a lot of UConn's fanbase on USCHO (RSTuthill, kingdobbs, and that represents a large portion of the posts I have seen) appear to be Clarkson grads. Interesting, isn't it?
The odd thing is that I think that a lot of UConn's fanbase on USCHO (RSTuthill, kingdobbs, and that represents a large portion of the posts I have seen) appear to be Clarkson grads. Interesting, isn't it?
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Maybe they can relate to the banner count...
The odd thing is that I think that a lot of UConn's fanbase on USCHO (RSTuthill, kingdobbs, and that represents a large portion of the posts I have seen) appear to be Clarkson grads. Interesting, isn't it?
Maybe they can relate to the banner count...
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
I've only been to Connecticut twice, so count me out.
The odd thing is that I think that a lot of UConn's fanbase on USCHO (RSTuthill, kingdobbs, and that represents a large portion of the posts I have seen) appear to be Clarkson grads. Interesting, isn't it?
I've only been to Connecticut twice, so count me out.
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Son of a Clarkson grad, as it were. UConn's my actual alma mater.
The odd thing is that I think that a lot of UConn's fanbase on USCHO (RSTuthill, kingdobbs, and that represents a large portion of the posts I have seen) appear to be Clarkson grads. Interesting, isn't it?
Son of a Clarkson grad, as it were. UConn's my actual alma mater.
FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Better than being called South Henrietta Institute of Technology.
Can't blame them for that!
Better than being called South Henrietta Institute of Technology.
Patman
Rodent of Unusual Size
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Btw, I support both Clarkson and UConn Ski teams in the USCSA McConnell Division. Gotta support both your alma mater and the local school.
Well, it would come down to RPI and HC. RPI has the right sized building (which HC does not) and a much longer and storied tradition. In addition it spreads the HE footprint westward a bit. Gotta think RPI would have the inside track if it does not work out with UConn.
Btw, I support both Clarkson and UConn Ski teams in the USCSA McConnell Division. Gotta support both your alma mater and the local school.
Last edited: