UConn to apply to Hockey East

[burgie12]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

its not like Uconn hockey before this time has given anyone besides current students any reason to go watch them play. They're currently running on zero scholarships so its hard to bring in anyone and they play in a conference with alot of unfamiliar teams to the rest of their athletics. I don't think attendance will be great, this state is very much a front running town but I fail to see how them joining hockey east will be a bad thing for Hockey east or Uconn.

Alots make terrible hockey players.

By the way, RIT seems to be doing pretty well playing against alot of unfamiliar teams, too. Air Force packs their arena. Niagara's attendance certainly isn't poor.

There are certainly schools in the AHA who average in the ~500 range, but for some reason, AIC, Sacred Heart, and Bentley aren't included in the HEA expansion talks. There's a school who regularly has attendance in the 3-4k range, is within 20 miles of "fitting the geographic profile," and has some hockey history to bring with them. But, they're getting beat out by a school that has not shown any administrative or financial support for their hockey program, averages a whopping 700 fans for home games, and doesn't even have an arena that fits the minimum for new applicants to HEA (even if they do put in the upgrades that they're planning).

Now, if UConn does do everything that they say they're going to do, then, yes, they're a perfect fit for HEA. However, I'd be sure to get that in writing if I was Bertagna.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I've been reading this thread regularly and I still haven't seen anyone list a legitimate, relevant thing Uconn brings to the table for the league other than that they seem to want 12 and Uconn is a warm body that can fill that spot.

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Bad news is that Uconn is never going to be any good in hockey. Ever.

Hmmm ... how long did it take UConn to get to a BCS Bowl after upgrading to FBS status? Has anyone else in New England ever done that, in any amount of time?

Don't be so sure that UConn will never be any good. This is a very tough sport in which to make a mark, so it could take some time; but let's revisit this topic in ten years. Right now, lets all take a collective deep slow breath and calm down to see what develops.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Congrats. UConn won the worst conference in major college football. The MWC was better that year and maybe even the WAC.

UCONN winning the BE that year was kind of the equivalent to winning the AHA in hockey ... oh never mind.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Hmmm ... how long did it take UConn to get to a BCS Bowl after upgrading to FBS status? Has anyone else in New England ever done that, in any amount of time?

Yes, it's amazing that a team could win a BCS berth with an 8-4 record via tiebreaker in a 3-way tie in the worst major conference in the BCS after 3 of the 4 best teams left the conference. That, plus losing by 4 TDs to Oklahoma and losing $1.8 million on the trip to the Fiesta... definitely worth bragging about!!!!

Everyone's impressed (cue the "Uconn has a football team?" question from anyone west of New York).

Problem is, the big boys (BC, BU) aren't going anywhere and Uconn is never going to touch them on a consistent basis. Good luck having a great team in a year when both of those teams aren't up to snuff.

Definitely come back in 10 years and let me know how that is going. I'll show you the new banners BC wins between now and 2022.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I've been reading this thread regularly and I still haven't seen anyone list a legitimate, relevant thing Uconn brings to the table for the league other than that they seem to want 12 and Uconn is a warm body that can fill that spot.

With all due respect to UConn, I'm thinking that's all they need to bring to the table. Or that HE wants them to bring to the table.

 

[schiegs]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I've been reading this thread regularly and I still haven't seen anyone list a legitimate, relevant thing Uconn brings to the table for the league other than that they seem to want 12 and Uconn is a warm body that can fill that spot.

Second largest New England media market.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I've been a UConn fan all my life (not hockey) but I would not want them in if they're going to do the same BS they did with basketball and football, and outsource all of the games to Hartford. That would be an abomination for the sport and the league, especially with XL being a complete dump. I'd rather have RPI if that's going to be the plan.

 

[schiegs]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Yeah no.


Yukon is 1-23-0 all time against effing Merrimack

UMass had a losing record against every HE team when they joined the conference, including 0-9 against the much-vaunted Friars. Was UMass a bad addition to HE?

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

It's certainly a better choice than a school no one outside of Troy has ever heard of.

RPI has zero national recognition, in any sport; essentially another Holy Cross in the modern era.

Live with it.

1954 and 1985 never occurred. There's no current D-I team with winning record of over .650 against arguably the most successful program in college hockey history where more than 10 games have been played. Ken Dryden only had 3 losses in college. Got it.

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

1954 and 1985 never occurred.

Sad, but true. That was then, this is now. 27 years ago is ancient history. 58 years ago is prehistotic.

I have the greatest respect for RPI, btw. Actually I have a degree from there. And I am very happy that Clarkson will continue to have them as rivals.

 

[Lazyking]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Alots make terrible hockey players.

By the way, RIT seems to be doing pretty well playing against alot of unfamiliar teams, too. Air Force packs their arena. Niagara's attendance certainly isn't poor.

There are certainly schools in the AHA who average in the ~500 range, but for some reason, AIC, Sacred Heart, and Bentley aren't included in the HEA expansion talks. There's a school who regularly has attendance in the 3-4k range, is within 20 miles of "fitting the geographic profile," and has some hockey history to bring with them. But, they're getting beat out by a school that has not shown any administrative or financial support for their hockey program, averages a whopping 700 fans for home games, and doesn't even have an arena that fits the minimum for new applicants to HEA (even if they do put in the upgrades that they're planning).

Now, if UConn does do everything that they say they're going to do, then, yes, they're a perfect fit for HEA. However, I'd be sure to get that in writing if I was Bertagna.

One way to improve financial support is to add scholarships which Uconn will be doing. This move isn't about attendance it never has been. I think Hockey East wants to bring in big time schools for their TV contract... I don't really know but too many people seem bitter that Hockey East is changing. I don't believe Uconn will be a doormat in the league very long nor do I think their presence jeopardizes the league's credibility.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

UMass had a losing record against every HE team when they joined the conference, including 0-9 against the much-vaunted Friars. Was UMass a bad addition to HE?

The fact that Umass isn't doing much damage in Hockey East isn't helping to convince anyone that Uconn is going to do anything. Umass has fantastic facilities compared to what Uconn has and will have even with XL and a renovated Freitas.

Oh I know, that Hartford tv market is going to win them games once they get into Hockey East, you know, that sport that no one watches and gets bumped nationally for poker and dogshows. Diana Taurasi's adam's apple will also help them win hockey games. And Coach Calhoun's borderline dysfunctional liver will help them win hockey games too. And that Fiesta Bowl they went to will help them win hockey games too.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Inviatation could come as quick as June.
http://www.theuconnblog.com/2012/5/...targeting-uconn-invitation-could-come-in-june

 

[Jim]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

The fact that Umass isn't doing much damage in Hockey East isn't helping to convince anyone that Uconn is going to do anything. Umass has fantastic facilities compared to what Uconn has and will have even with XL and a renovated Freitas.

Oh I know, that Hartford tv market is going to win them games once they get into Hockey East, you know, that sport that no one watches and gets bumped nationally for poker and dogshows. Diana Taurasi's adam's apple will also help them win hockey games. And Coach Calhoun's borderline dysfunctional liver will help them win hockey games too. And that Fiesta Bowl they went to will help them win hockey games too.

Nick,
You seem bitter...UCONN has built nationally recognized programs in a bunch of sports, not just one. National Championships in basketball, womens basketball, soccer, field hockey, a number of NCAA champs in track and field, a BCS game in football (complain about how they did it all you want, BC the only other D1 program in the region hasn't done it, Syracuse hasn't done it). Womens soccer has been to several final fours. Baseball is looking at a possilble 3rd straight NCAA bid with a trip to the super-regional where they lost in 3 games to the team that one it all. That they haven't done anything in hockey might mean they won't but given their history, it could also mean that they simply haven made much effort to date. Once they decide to make it a big time sport, invest in it, I suspect that they will be at least reasonably successful. Maybe more than reasonably successful in the long run. that has been the way it has worked so far. And while I don't mean to knock my UMass friends, don't ever assume that UCONN will model itself after UMass. If anything, it is the other way around.

 

[REDMEN2002]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I'm sure that if all else fails, UConn will sue their way into the conference.

 

[AspyDad]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

Nick,You seem bitter

especially about the Venerable Jack Parker.

 

[claver2010]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

UMass had a losing record against every HE team when they joined the conference, including 0-9 against the much-vaunted Friars. Was UMass a bad addition to HE?

That's not helping your case

All ZooMass is good for is 2 wins for BC before heading to the Garden

Edit: I'll take the snark out for 1 second here's how UMass finished in conf
2011-12: 8th
2010-11: 8th
2009-10: 6th
2008-09: 7th
2007-08: 8th

Not to mention Mullins for all its faults is light years ahead of whatever Yukon is proposing.

 

[claver2010]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

I'm sure that if all else fails, UConn will sue their way into the conference.

Then their alcoholic coach will claim "WE R NEVA PLAYIN BC!" and they'll end up in an even lower conference just like what happened a decade ago.

 

[schiegs]

Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East

That's not helping your case

All ZooMass is good for is 2 wins for BC before heading to the Garden

Edit: I'll take the snark out for 1 second here's how UMass finished in conf
2011-12: 8th
2010-11: 8th
2009-10: 6th
2008-09: 7th
2007-08: 8th

Not to mention Mullins for all its faults is light years ahead of whatever Yukon is proposing.

So again I ask, are you saying that adding UMass was bad for HE?

Aside from the obvious advantage of the on-campus arena, did UMass have any better reasons to be admitted than UConn has now? It's not like UMass had a bunch of hockey acolades to bring with them. Heck, when UMass was announced to be added to HE, they didn't even have a varsity hockey program.