Re: When Will The BHHC start up?
The 'BHHC' would be a very viable BTHC rival, given that the schools it would contain all would all have the needed resources and desire to compete in college hockey at the highest level. A BHHC would would be freed from the non-profitability of diluted league schedules full of non-attractive opponents. Sure, the travel costs would be a little higher for the BHHC, but that would be more than offset by more attractive scheduling, more TV interest and revenue, bigger brand power and a better recruiting platform.
Of course, there would be collateral damage to the schools left behind in the wake of a BHHC, and there is no question that there would be some abdication of moral responsibility if the shunned WCHA and CCHA schools do not band together in a time of crisis. However, in this day of voracious revenue needs and long-term program viability, the Big 10 doesn't seem to worry about leaving us remaining WCHA and CCHA programs to scramble for the remaining lifeboats. And when that particular load of crap hits the fan, would be wise to have built the best possible lifeboat instead of trying to survive in a life-vest, bobbing for survival in the mid-major waters.
In other words, the BTHC formation will set off a classic Darwinian food-chain struggle. As a Pioneer fan with 60 years of tradition and hundreds of millions invested to stay as an elite program, I expect my school to look out for it's best interests after being screwed by the BTHC. And it's interests are better served by banding together with other like-minded, well-resourced programs. If DU doesn't try to better its situation, it will become a mid-major rather than stay as a power program.
That said, it this were really about banding together for the sport, the Big 10 schools wouldn't leave in the first place or at the very least, they would find a "Big 10 cup" alignment that works within the the existing WCHA and CCHA leagues, as they Ivy league does within the ECACHL.
Unfortunately, in the world of revenue college sports, business interests have to come first. We've seen it in football and basketball with the BCS and conference re-alignment. Now it is hockey's turn, as our fragile 58 team ecosystem is damaged by the BTHC pullout.
