Goon's World: Central Collegiate Hockey Association

Showing posts with label Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Show all posts

Monday, September 26, 2011

Blame the NCHC crowd...

Image via WikipediaWow, I am not sure what the point of this article is, Ferris State University has a new conference and honestly the new refabbed WCHA would probably be a more attractive option than the CCHA with the left overs. Also, I find it funny that the FSU beat writer assigns no blame what-so-ever to Notre Dame, why not? If anyone is acting in an arrogant and elite manner it would also be the Fighting Irish, have they not abandoned the CCHA for greener pastures? They also showed no interest in joining the WCHA..

Sandy Gholston; MLive.com --- No, I lay blame squarely at the feet of the six schools (Denver, Colorado College, North Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha, Miami and Minnesota Duluth) who formed the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (and, to a slightly lesser degree, the two schools (St. Cloud State University and Western Michigan University) who most recently pledged their hockey programs to this new conference after being extended invitations.

Those first six are to blame for, in all likelihood, jumping at the change to further define an unsavory class structure in college hockey that divides the perceived elites from those who are considered lesser programs. Once the Big Ten formed a league for hockey, one has to think these schools saw the situation as the floodgates opening to elitism in the sport. The Big Ten was destined to be viewed as an elite league in college hockey with strong television and general media exposure.

The schools that formed the NCHC felt they could not be considered elite if they were playing what they may have perceived as lesser schools (the institutions that they broke away from in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association). So, gripped by an unattractive blend of envy (for the future status of the Big Ten) and arrogance (believing they are somehow above schools like Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Minnesota State University and others), the schools that formed the NCHC broke off from those two packs.

Monday, September 05, 2011

Effort to Save UAH underway...

Here is a good link to take a look at and if you have a few bucks to spare a good cause to make a donation to, let's not kid ourselves UAH hockey at the Division I level is on life support. Another good source to check out is Save UAH Hockey.

Thunder AAA Hockey --- First of all, the response to the news article sent Friday has been overwhelming! Getting to how everyone can help I’m going to explain where we are in our current campaign. We were told last Wednesday that the annual financial number that needs to be raised over the next 3 years is $500k per year. We set up a three year pledge system to allow the new UAH Athletic Department personnel, under the leadership of Dr. EJ Brophy, time to put together a long term business and marketing plan.

The eminent danger of losing the program has been insulated to the UAH Hockey Alumni to date. Reasons for this was to make sure we had the correct information (i.e. $500k annually) to convey and to keep the current UAH Charger Hockey players separated from the issue until it was officially stated from University officials.

Last Tuesday, the UAH Hockey Coaching staff met with Chancellor Portera and he indicated there is a possibility of dropping the Division 1 Charger Hockey program to the Club level, and a decision could be made in early October. However, there have been some exciting things to happen since these meetings last week: 1 )With our Pledge drive only being exposed to UAH Hockey Alumni and Blueline Club Members, we have raised nearly $200K/year. 2) Local politicians have offered to help fund a marketing position (much needed) within the UAH athletic department. 3) The Huntsville City Council, along with Mayor Tommy Battle, passed a resolution to continually help support the Division 1 UAH Charger Program in any way they can. 4) Local and national media are willing to help in any way possible to get the word out.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Save UAH Hockey - a program on the "brink"

Image via WikipediaAs the WCHA has extended five CCHA teams invitations to join the WCHA and with the CCHA ceasing to exist after the 2013-2014 season it would appear that the UAH administration is entertaining ideas of dropping their Divsion I hockey program or dropping it down to the club level.

Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times --- UAH hockey has become, by all accounts, an endangered species as you try to erase all the red ink on your ledgers.

At first blush, it'd be an easy thing to do. Drop intercollegiate hockey. Go to club level. Take the heat and hand over the keys to your successor and head back to Tuscaloosa.

It's time to do the hard thing.

It's time to do the right thing.

It's time to commit to save UAH hockey.

We've been told for the last two years that a conference affiliation would save the program. The college hockey buzz says the opportunity is there again. But, rightfully so, a conference needs to see your own commitment. Show it, and show it strongly.

Somebody wants you in the club. Join it.

UAH hockey has been kept alive through private funding through the years, and there's a groundswell of boosters ready with big-time commitments with a lot of zeroes at the end.

Listen to them. Work with them. Give them a price tag.

A program on the "brink"

There are some major problems facing the UAH hockey program and their survivability, first off the UAH Chargers have been on the outside looking in since the CHA disbanded after the 2009-2010 season. The WCHA picked up (or poached depending on how you see this) BSU and UNO but UAH was left on the outside looking in after the CCHA failed to pick up the UAH Chargers.

With the major realignment taking place in college hockey this summer it appears that the CCHA would again be a logical solution to the UAH conference problem since the CCHA would be losing B1G members Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State University and NCHC member Miami and Notre Dame, that train of thought is no longer a viable option as the WCHA extended invitations to the five of the Six remaining CCHA schools. The CCHA will cease to exist after the 2012-2013 season.

As it currently stands there have been no invitations extended to the UAH Chargers to join an existing conference, nor does it look like the Chargers will be extended an invitation for membership into an existing conference. That’s not to say that the WCHA won’t extend them an invitation in the future, I suppose there is still a possibility of that happening if BGSU and WMU were to go to the NCHC. None of us are privy to those conversations so it’s hard to say. With UAF and UAA being in the same conference the WCHA cannot use travel expenses as a reason to not allow UAH a place in the WCHA. What happens from here on out is anyone guess.

Friday, August 26, 2011

LSSU, FSU and UAF join the WCHA for the 2013-2014 season.

Image via WikipediaYesterday we found out that the WCHA had extended invitations to the 5 CCHA schools (LSSU, FSU, WMU, BGSU and UAF) to join the WCHA. Today it was announced that LSSU, UAF and FSU have accepted bids to join the WCHA for the 2013-2014 season. WMU, BGSU have also been given invitations to join the WCHA but have yet to accept invitations.

It has been rumored that both schools are weighing their options and that BGSU, WMU might be trying to get into the newly formed NCHC. It's been kind of difficult to gauge what BGSU is going to do but this blog post on Falcon Fodder by John Wagner might shed some light on the situation or maybe not.

Western Michigan University had said in the past that the school was waiting to see what the conference the Notre Dame Fighting Irish was going to join before they made an a decision, now according to their athletic director Kathy Beauregard WMU is going do what is best for WMU.

Western Michigan’s Director of Athletics said Friday the school is no longer waiting for Notre Dame to decide first on a future conference affiliation.

“We did that at the time for all the right reasons because we certainly do care about them being a partner with us in the CCHA,” Beauregard said of her prior statements about being committed to trying to follow Notre Dame wherever the Irish end up. “Right now, it’s time for us to make the best decision for Western Michigan University. [David Drew, Mlive.com]

Two former CCHA schools must improve arenas

The WCHA has requested that LSSU and FSU make improvement to their hockey arenas according to Matt Wellens of the Mining Journal and apparently both teams have agreed to upgrade their facilities.

According to NMU President Less Wong, the WCHA did request that LSSU and Ferris upgrade their arenas - Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie and Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids - and both athletic departments agreed to make improvements.

Who's the "Boss"

When news of the formation of the new NCHC broke there was a lot of discussion about the commissioner of the WCHA Bruce McLeod and there were a few teams in the current WCHA that said they have a problem and or issues with the WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod. With those teams gone; going forward it would appear as if the much maligned WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod is going to survive at least for now as the commissioner of the WCHA. I found this statement by WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod in the St. Cloud Times article by Mick Hatten to be very interesting, it's almost in your face, reading this newspaper article, there is no question who is driving this expansion.

On Thursday, McLeod clarified why Tuesday’s meeting wasn’t about a merger.

“This is really an invitation to join the WCHA, and there’s a real difference there,” McLeod said. “There’s a lot of sensitives to it on both sides of the fence.

“We’re going to be called the WCHA, and this is not some kind of merger.”

Personally, I think in 2013-2014 the WCHA needs to start fresh with a new face at the helm of the WCHA, I would suggest that the WCHA look at former UND head coach and USHL Commissioner Gino Gaspini, whose currently serving as a special adviser for SCSU athletics for SCSU President Earl H. Potter II.

So going forward here is what the new WCHA will look like "so far" for the 2013-2014 season.

SCSU
BSU
UAA
UAF
LSSU
NMU
FSU
MTU
MSU-M

Thursday, August 25, 2011

WCHA to expand...

Image via Wikipedia

It was the crazy summer that just got crazier.

Today there was a major announcement by the WCHA, the league has extended invitations for membership in the WCHA to five CCHA teams, the teams are as follows - University Alaska Fairbanks, Bowling Green State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Western Michigan University. The teams that were extended invitations to join the WCHA have been given 30 days to respond.

Everyone waiting for Notre Dame

It would appear that we are all waiting for Notre Dame to see what they are going to do next. WMU was extended an invitation by the WCHA and the WMU Broncos have been waiting around to see what Notre Dame is going to do before they made a decision. According to Adam Wodon of College Hockey News Western Michigan University seems to be the least likely of the five to join the WCHA.

Western Michigan is the one CCHA school of the remaining five least likely to join the WCHA. It is waiting for Notre Dame's decision to see if it can join the Irish wherever they go. The wrinkle will be if the WCHA puts a time limit on Western Michigan's acceptance, and force them to commit for a certain number of years.

Bowling Green could balk as well, figuring it could go to the NCHC with Western Michigan if Notre Dame chooses Hockey East. However, it's difficult to wait for Notre Dame, not knowing when a decision is coming.

Here is the official press release from the WCHA...

MADISON, Wis. – On behalf of the presidents of the six member teams that will comprise Western Collegiate Hockey Association membership following the 2012-13 season, the WCHA today (August 25, 2011) extended invitations to five Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) member institutions to join the WCHA beginning with the 2013-14 season. Those CCHA institutions that were extended membership invitations are University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bowling Green State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University and Western Michigan University.

As it stands currently, the six teams that will constitute the WCHA following the 2012-13 season are University of Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State University, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, St. Cloud State University and Northern Michigan University, which accepted an offer to join the WCHA beginning in 2013-14 back on July 20.

"On behalf of those presidents who remain committed to the WCHA in 2013-14 and beyond, I am excited to announce that we have unanimously voted to invite these five CCHA members to join our conference," said Dr. Richard Davenport, President of Minnesota State University, Mankato. "These schools bring a proud history and tradition with them from the CCHA that will only serve to enhance the already strong reputation of the WCHA.

"We are committed to creating stability for the conference and believe by inviting these institutions we will create one of the strongest conferences in the nation," added Dr. Davenport. "This is one of the main reasons presidents voted today to invite CCHA member institutions to join our conference. Also, as presidents, we are committed to providing the best college hockey opportunities in the country for our student-athletes."

"This is truly a significant and quite remarkable twist in what has been a period of great consternation and transition in the college hockey world," said WCHA Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod. "On behalf of the WCHA, we couldn't be more excited and pleased to extend these invitations to Alaska Fairbanks, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State and Western Michigan."

The WCHA and CCHA held a joint meeting in Chicago earlier this week, working from an agenda that included the sharing of institutional and hockey program information (including financial, facilities, community support, staffing and travel), scheduling and championship scenarios, and membership and league affiliation (including league size, automatic qualifiers, etc).

"During what were very informative and productive meetings in Chicago, and as we worked our way through the agenda, it became clear that all of these great institutions share a commonality in that every one of them is 100% committed to the sport of collegiate ice hockey," said McLeod, "and that they also share a great deal philosophically both athletically and academically," said McLeod. "From there, the idea of coming together was a natural progression."

"This invitation represents a tremendous opportunity for the remaining members of both leagues," said CCHA Commissioner Fred Pletsch. "Their collective commitment to Division I hockey was evident in Chicago and the synergy created by last Tuesday's meeting will help all involved chart a course that is right for their respective program and provide further stability to college hockey's evolving landscape."

As a condition of this potential membership process moving forward, the WCHA-member presidents set a 30-day response timeline for acceptance. The WCHA and CCHA have also agreed to continue to hold regular talks to address such topics as by-laws, scheduling, tournament scenarios, finances and additional membership.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

WCHA and CCHA league meet in Chicago

Image via WikipediaHere is the official release from today's meeting. Absent from the meeting was Notre Dame.

CHICAGO, Ill. – Members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) met jointly today (Aug. 23) in Chicago, working from an agenda that included sharing information about each other, engaging in productive discussions about the challenges that each institution and each conference face, and seeking common ground to work together for the betterment of the parties involved and of college hockey in general.

In issuing a joint statement, WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod and CCHA Commissioner Fred Pletsch said, “This was an important and productive meeting, for all involved parties. We asked everyone in attendance to be open, honest and frank in discussing their concerns, hopes and visions for the future of their respective programs. We recognize that where there is change there is also opportunity. We plan to continue our discussions in the future and to continue to explore all options.

“One crucial thing that came out of the joint meeting today was the word ‘commitment’. All of these institutions are totally committed to fielding the most competitive and successful programs possible and to provide the best possible experience for their student-athletes.”

Topics discussed in the joint meeting agenda included sharing of institutional and hockey program information (including financial, facilities, community support, staffing and travel), scheduling and championship scenarios, and membership and league affiliation (including league size, automatic qualifiers, etc).

In attendance at the joint meeting were administrators from the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bemidji State University, Bowling Green State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Northern Michigan University, St. Cloud State University and Western Michigan University.
[UAA Sports Information]

Monday, August 15, 2011

Where is Notre Dame going?

Image via WikipediaThe million dollar question that many college hockey fans are waiting for is, ta-da, where are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish going to end up? Are the Fighting Irish going to Hockey East, NCHC or Independent?

I like many college hockey fans are sitting by the computer combing twitter, hoping that an announcement by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to make known their intended destination. Most of us are hoping that announcement will come soon. I also think they are holding up other college hockey teams decisions as well... But what's the hurry right, this move won't happen for another two years any ways.

Mike McMahon, Warrior Rink Rat --- The Irish were debating internally whether to join Hockey East, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, join the WCHA/CCHA or run its program as a Independant.

According to sources, Hockey East is now considered a long shot. Initially, Notre Dame officials were said to be split between joining Hockey East or the NCHC.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod visits Fairbanks.

Image via WikipediaHere is as story from the Fairbanks Daily News Miner but it doesn't really say a lot other than Bruce McLeod visited the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus, McLeod liked what he saw on his visit to the campus, yadda, yadda, yadda... It will be interesting to see where these talks lead.

FAIRBANKS — Western Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Bruce McLeod was impressed with the community support for the Alaska Nanooks. He also had high regards for the Carlson Center, the Olympic-size ice arena of the Nanooks of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

However, McLeod’s visit on Tuesday to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and around Fairbanks was to get a sense of the Nanooks as a possible WCHA menber in 2013-14, when NCAA Division I hockey experiences realignment.

Current CCHA programs Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State are joining WCHA schools Wisconsin and Minnesota and college hockey newcomer Penn State in the Big Ten Conference in 2013-14.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

University of Alaska Fairbanks to the WCHA?

Image via WikipediaIt would appear from the outside that this is the beginning of the process of seeing if the UA Fairbanks would be a good fit for the WCHA. Logically speaking, I believe that UAF would be a good fit for the WCHA because they could play their in state rivals the UAA Seawolves four times in one season.

FAIRBANKS — Bruce McLeod, the commissioner of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, is planning a visit to the University of Alaska Fairbanks next month.

McLeod’s visit to Interior Alaska is no guarantee that the Alaska Nanooks are going to join the same conference as their intrastate rivals, the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. It is, though, an indication that UAF’s program, which is among 11 teams in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, is at least being considered for WCHA membership as NCAA Division I hockey is experiencing league changes that will take effect in the 2013-14 season.

The idea of the planned visit began Thursday morning during a conference call with McLeod and athletic directors from the five remaining WCHA programs — UAA, Michigan Tech and Minnesota schools St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State-Mankato.

“The group asked me to talk to UAF about an in-person visit by myself to get some additional information, such as regarding the budget for the program,” McLeod said Thursday night in a telephone interview.

According to information Thursday night from UAF athletic director Forrest Karr, the University of Alaska Fairbanks spent about $2.4 million last year on hockey operations. The total includes salaries, team travel, guarantees for incoming team travel, scholarships, equipment, facility rental and all other costs associated with the program.

“It was the second highest in the CCHA,” Karr said during a telephone interview Thursday night.

As of Thursday, McLeod had not set a specific date but he said was considering coming north during the second week of August.

“I just want to get some insight,” he said. “I’m curious to meet the chancellor and many other people there, and get a sense of the commitment to the program and hope they get sense of me. I want them to see that how we (WCHA) run our operation is different (from the CCHA).”

McLeod said that the conference call did not include any motions for a vote for WCHA membership for the Nanooks.

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - WCHA leader set to visit Nanooks’ den

Some of the concerns that the other schools in the WCHA (starting 2013-2014) might have about adding the University of Alaska Fairbanks is increased travel expenses because they will have to add an extra flight yearly to Fairbanks, Alaska will inevitably raise those schools' travel budget.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

So it's UND's fault?

Image via WikipediaSo if you believe Chris from Western College Hockey the problems facing college hockey right now is all UND's fault. I would have to say, not hardly...I just hope there aren't any black helicopters landing in Chris' back yard.

A big part of the problem is that college hockey is too busy fighting and scheming against itself these days to even worry about fighting against the CHL. Why should JT Miller or Connor Murphy think playing in the WCHA or CCHA for the next two years is worth their time when their own schools made it pretty clear that those conferences aren't good enough? Even College Hockey Inc., which was designed to help present a unified message for college hockey, has been neutralized this summer, since they work directly under college hockey's conference commissioners, and thus have had to keep fairly quiet on the current reorganization. It's another instance of North Dakota thinking they could do things better on their own, and, at least initially, being wrong, and another consequence to the sport that was apparently overlooked in the 20 minutes of planning that went into the Secondary Six.

This summer has been a strange and sad juxtaposition of two competing leagues that both wanted to get more serious about their image and their brand. In college hockey, that meant a group of teams conspiring and holding a self-congratulatory press conference to say that they were better than the rest of college hockey, and ultimately, did more to sell the virtues of some old hotel in Colorado than it did to sell the game of college hockey, while in the OHL, particularly in their western division, it meant doubling their efforts to acquire the best players available. One of those strategies seems to have really worked well. The other, not so much.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Tuesday evening free for all

I have been reading a lot of comments from fans of the programs that weren’t invited to join the NCHC or the B1G. First off I understand the anger that some fans are experiencing. This is a scary time for college hockey and I believe all of the schools that are not in the B1G are nervous about their college hockey team’s future, I think that’s understandable.

I have to admit that I am nervous as well and like everyone else I am trying to make some sense out of all of this. First off, UND and DU fans seem to be getting a lot of undeserved flak from other college hockey fans, this anger is misdirected and the fans of these two fan bases are not culpable. I mean let’s be serious; the NCHC was formed by the athletic directors of the six charter member schools (UND, DU, UMD, MU, UNO, C.C.). To suggest that only UND and DU is driving this bus is misguided and wrong, why is it that the other schools aren’t receiving some blow back as well? Also, if you have a concern contact one of the AD’s from the various schools in the NCHC, let them know how you feel.

The day the WCHA and the CCHA died?

In my opinion, I also don't think that those schools were wrong to look into the prospects of the new league; I think the WCHA and the CCHA basically died the day the BTHC decided to make their own league, “WE” will never have what we once had. This is why we have the drastic changes that are happening right now. Let’s not kid ourselves it’s easy for a fan of one of the schools in BTHC to lecture the NCHC fans by telling us that the WCHA would have been fine and there was no reason to start another conference even though our schools are not going to be there. Does that not stink of elitism? Maybe, maybe not, I do think that mind set is short sighted to suggest one group of teams is OK to move forward and improve their lot in college hockey while the others are not and accused of ruining the college hockey landscape. I even read on line today that LSSU can blame UND for their plight, WTF? No I don’t think so.

That being said, I also don’t think it’s wrong to be just a little bit excited about the prospects of having our teams play in a new league as well. I am going to be honest here and say that I am torn, I love the WCHA in it’s “current” 12 team configuration, last season’s Final Five in Saint Paul, Minnesota was a blast, I enjoyed sitting in the press box of the Xcel Energy Center and reporting on the game, however, minus the Gophers and Badges the WCHA is just not as attractive of a league without the two Big Ten Schools. The CCHA looks even worse minus Michigan and Michigan State; I can see why Northern Michigan, Western Michigan and Notre Dame are looking at other options. All I can say is can we blame them and no one seems to be angry with them; at least right now.

Holding on to the status quo

I just don’t know how college hockey fans are supposed to process all of this and I do believe that there are going to be some hurt feeling when it’s all said and done. When I said that this stuff makes my chest hurt, I am being serious, there are too many variables out there, no one knows how this is going to end now that the proverbial genie is out of the bottle.

To a certain degree I believe that human being are afraid of change and want to hang on to the status quo as long as they can, I get that, I am the same way, I don’t want to lose the current WCHA either, so I guess I will have to enjoy the last two seasons before the seismic shift in the college hockey landscape.

Who do we really blame?

Moving forward there are two more years till the final Crescendo in the WCHA as we know it, two years are an eternity in college hockey a lot can still happen between now and then. I am hoping we can all get along and contrary to public believe there is a lot of blame to go around for why all these changes are happening, it’s short sighted to just blame UND and DU, there are more factors driving these changes than UND and DU wanting to improve their lot. DU and UND are just a small part of the equation, there are many other factors out there driving these changes in college hockey, there are teams in the breakaway five that unhappy with the WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod, there are also teams that aren’t all on the same page when it comes to vision on where they believe they want college hockey to go. There are other teams that aren’t as committed financially to college hockey as some of the other schools. Finally you can add the Big Ten Hockey Conference to this equation, there are all kinds of things going on.

I also think it’s funny that very few actually blame Terry Pegula and his act of kindness to donate 88 million dollars to Penn State University so that they could get the ball moving on Division I hockey. Also, I do remember something happening back during the summer of 2009 when a certain AD in the WCHA from Wisconsin was looking to improve his schools lot and wanted to play Michigan and Michigan State more in college hockey... s/t to Gandalf The Red and 60 Minutes...

There were several conference calls between the Big 10 schools w/ varsity hockey along w/ Big 10 commissioner Jim Delany to discuss the creation of a BTHC. There was support for the idea including UW in the form of UW senior associate athletic director Sean Frazier and AD Barry Alvarez. Joel Maturi (gopher AD) spoke out strongly against it, and for probably the only time in world history I agree w/ a ground squirrel.

So I wonder if some of these fans want to amend their statement and still say that it’s all UND and DU’s fault and that UND and DU are killing College hockey. It's more complicated than that.

That’s why I find it funny that no one is blaming Wisconsin A.D. Barry Alvarez and Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany for any of this mess, didn’t Barry Alvarez inquire two seasons ago about having a BTHC? Or are fans just to blinded by their hate for everything UND? I think the later might be true. What do you think?

Monday, July 18, 2011

LSSU Lakers face crucial decisions...

Image via WikipediaPeter Pietrangelo; Sault Ste. Marie Evening News has this article in today's newspaper. This is definitely a doom and gloom scenario. There is time for a solution, there are two years before the Big Ten and NCHC start play.

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. — If Lake Superior finds its place in the rapidly shifting world of college hockey, in five years it will be competitive for a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years.

But if LSSU gets it wrong, it will be the end of Laker hockey. There is no middle ground.

The WCHA has no interest in taking the CCHA's leftovers — LSSU, Ferris St. and Bowling Green — and without a conference with an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the Lakers will find it almost impossible to schedule enough home games to fund the program.

LSSU is never going to be competitive on a yearly basis with the Michigans, Notre Dames and North Dakotas of the world; it has neither the money nor the cachet to keep up with the sport's big spenders like the Big Ten or the newly-formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference. While LSSU has enjoyed a relatively problem-free ride with the CCHA for nearly 40 years, those days are numbered. Going forward, here are LSSU's choices:

• Attempt to join the WCHA. This solution would be good for LSSU athletically, but neither competitively nor financially. And the WCHA doesn't seem to be open to a school that isn't a good geographic fit. This will not happen.

• Attempt to join an already-established conference. Atlantic Hockey already has 12 teams — and the Lakers would have to drop six scholarships to join. The NCHC, ECAC and Hockey East are also out of the question. Again, not going to happen.
• Go on as an independent. The only current independent team is Alabama-Huntsville. The Chargers played just 10 home games last year and have 12 home games this year (two are against the U.S. U-18 program). LSSU couldn't make enough money in this arrangement and would have even more difficulty drawing recruits.

• Attempt to salvage the CCHA. If Alaska stays, the CCHA could get Alabama-Huntsville on board to make a five-team conference. Then just one more team would have to be recruited. Mercyhurst, Niagara, Canisius, Robert Morris and Rochester Institute of Technology could be viable candidates, both geographically and competitively. If Alaska bolts for the WCHA, then two teams would have to be recruited to join.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sunday tornadoes bring college hockey links...

This is a map of the United States showing whi...

Image via WikipediaThere is a lot of news going on right now in the world of college hockey… I will try to keep up to date as much as I can.

If you haven’t listened to this interview; [Click this link] to listen to athletic director Forrest Karr talk about the changes in college hockey...

In case you haven't seen it, Dave DeLand; the sports editor of the Saint Cloud Times wrote this column that was in yesterdays newspaper -> Huskies are left with only questions. Talk about doom and gloom article that has a theme of poor me. If you don’t believe me take a look for yourself, below is the crux of the article. The schools involved in the new conference have said that they are going to need to play the teams left in the WCHA. So I wouldn't cancel any renovations yet.

»SCSU is getting ready to start a $28.8 million renovation project at the National Hockey Center. Is that even needed now that the building’s primary tenant is headed for a significant league downgrade — and, in all likelihood, an attendance downsizing?

» How does the WCHA implosion affect fundraising for the NHC renovation? Funds for the initial $14 million stage are in hand, but part of the funds for the $14.8 million second stage are supposed to come from future revenue — and that will almost certainly be diminished by the conference’s breakup.

» How do you sell naming rights for the arena of a team in a third-tier conference? In 2013-14, that’s exactly what the WCHA will be.

» How do you sell tickets for conference games against Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech and MSU-Mankato instead of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Minnesota-Duluth?

» How much will recruiting suffer? St. Cloud State has always been able to sell its elite WCHA schedule to recruits, but that advantage disappears when you’re playing conference games against Michigan Tech instead of Minnesota and North Dakota.

» The remaining WCHA schools keep pointing out that they’ll still play nonconference games against the Gophers and Sioux and Bulldogs, but will they play them at home? Or, will St. Cloud State just play road games at NCHC schools — sort of like the lower-rung cupcakes that the Gophers import during the nonleague portion of their football schedule?

Another aritcle from the same newspaper -> College hockey: 'It's a tough day for the WCHA'

There was sentiment from multiple schools that WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod needed to step down.

When the discussion turned to schools possibly pulling out of the WCHA, one of the small-school athletic directors made a motion that called for a six-figure fine to be imposed on all defectors, a point confirmed Wednesday by Faison. The sanction idea was supported by another small-school AD but subsequently withdrawn.

I keep seeing this same topic pop up over and over again in the various blogs and newspapers, and after thinking about it for a while I must ask; are the five schools leaving the WCHA the "only" schools that were in favor of getting rid of WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod?

The next question that I must ask is, are the other schools not in the mix of joining the new conferene; are you happy with the status quo in the WCHA under the leadership of Commissioner Bruce McLeod? I think these are legitimate questions that need to be asked, it would be interesting to see how they would answer that question if they could. Obviously they are still in the league and don't want to bite the hand that feeds them.

I have also read where some SCSU fans think that the reason the Huskies weren’t asked to join the NCHC because of their former president Roy H. Saigo and his stance on the Fighting Sioux logo… I highly doubt that was a reason for SCSU not being invited to join the NCHC... If that was a reason that SCSU was not asked to be in the NCHC, that would be very petty reason in my opinion... Also, the schools involved in this new league are very professional organizations and I can’t see this being a factor because UND AD Brian Faison UND President Robert O. Kelley are both on record as wanting to move forward away from the Fighting Sioux logo and the controversy that surrounds the historic nickname.

Moving forward does the WCHA (those schools that are left) really want Bruce McLeod as the face of their league if he is such a polarizing figure? If in fact one of the reasons these five power schools left the WCHA was because of Brue McLeod (it does appear to be one of the reasons) then maybe the league might want to consider getting rid of him even if it means spending some money to buy his contract out.

Another topic that keeps coming out is some of the AD’s in the WCHA said that they didn’t see this move coming. Yet the head hockey coach for BSU knew this conference was in the works for some time.

Eric Stromgren; Bemidji Pioneer --- When the National Collegiate Hockey Conference became a reality Wednesday, it was an announcement Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore saw coming.

“We knew this was probably going to happen,” Serratore said. “It has been in the fold for a few months and we’ve had time to digest this. Basically what we just need to do now is move on. We’re still in the WCHA.”

So I have to ask, if BSU knew about the new conference forming, how did the UAA AD Steve Cobb not know that this new college hockey conference was coming down the pike? Does he not have the Internet, email and a telephone/cell phone. Cobb said earlier this past week; "I blame everybody for being less than honest with their own league members. It's a really sneaky back-door deal." Again, I must ask where is the communication between member schools in college hockey. Do they not talk to each other? It would appear that they do not. I am going to call shenanigans on this one because I am just not buying it.

If this is the case, it’s time for the WCHA teams/schools that are not in the NCHC to start having more frequent communications with their fellow conference members. I mean; come on!!! Everyone and his brother knew that there was a very "big possibility" that the new “NCHC” was going to form. When I say "big ossibility” I mean there was a lot of unofficial talk that was out there and someone at UAA must have actually seen some of it, it’s not like it was a really big secret.

Where are the Irish going?

With the CCHA disintegrating before our very eyes and with NMU announcing that they are going to the WCHA pending final approval because of a legal issue, which should be resolved this up coming week.

WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod told ESPN 970-AM's Casey Ford Friday morning that 75 percent of the league would have to accept NMU, but the bylaws are unclear whether that applies only to the current 12-team WCHA or the 2013-14 five-team WCHA, as well.

League lawyers are expected to resolve the issue soon and "formal approval of Northern Michigan's application for membership in the WCHA will occur next week," according to Friday's WCHA statement.

Holding all of the cards at a poker game, the $64,000.00 question remains where are the ND Fighting Irish going. Mike McMahon from the Eagle Tribune seems to think that ND is going to Hockey East...

Word around the league is that Notre Dame, one of the leftovers in the wake of the Big 10 formation, is currently deciding whether to join the new NCHC or Hockey East, which it has connections to with other Catholic colleges (Merrimack, Providence and Boston College) as well as the fact that all of the Irish sports besides football compete in the Big East.

According to what I've been told by multiple sources within the league, if Notre Dame wants to join Hockey East, they would be welcomed with open arms.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

College Hockey Tonight - Summer Special the BSU response to the NCHC

Yesterday on the day of the Galen Nagle golf tourney in Bemidji, Minnesota, my friends Scott Williams and Moose Richards had their summer addition of the College Hockey tonight...

Click here to listen to the College Hockey Tonight Summer Special with Scott Williams & Moose Richards... The podcast will feature BSU Athletic Director Rick Goeb, BSU Hockey Coach Tom Serratorre & Matt Read

Friday, July 15, 2011

DU promo video - National Collegiate Hockey Conference

If you haven't seen this, this was well done by DU athletics. S/T to Let's Go DU ~~Hockey~~ Sports Blog

UW men's hockey: Big Ten schedule link to new league unlikely

Image via WikipediaThis caught my eye the second time that read this article. Of course they don't want to enter into a formal arrangement, the BTHC and the NCHC are going to need to schedule teams from the CCHA and the WCHA.

Andy Baggot; Madison.com --- he debut of the NCHC in three years coincides with that of the Big Ten Conference, which includes Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State and the University of Wisconsin.

The new alliances would offer great scheduling possibilities, but don't look for the leagues to enter into a formal arrangement, at least at the outset.

The general feeling from people in both leagues is that the degree of difficulty would be too high if Big Ten and NCHC teams loaded up their non-conference schedules with one another. Both conferences are expected to seek more balance between the other Division I leagues.

That's not to say UW wouldn't look to continue rivalries forged in the WCHA and transferred to the NCHC, thus augmenting its 20-game schedule of Big Ten opponents, but it's unlikely that there will be a defined scheduling link.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The time for MSUM to move on hockey is now?

Image via WikipediaEric Peterson from the Fargo Forum has this article on his blog Peterson's Perceptions today. I honestly don't see MSU Moorhead having a suscessful Division I hockey program, this is a schools that can't even field a successful football program in the NSIC. I would be very surprised if this happened.

MSUM may never have a chance like this again.

The 2013-14 school year looks to be the time when the music stops on this conference musical chairs.

That’s the year when the University of North Dakota, Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota-Duluth and Nebraska-Omaha leave the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for a newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference. That same year, Minnesota and Wisconsin are also leaving the WCHA for a newly formed Big Ten hockey conference.

That means the WCHA and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association will both be looking to fortify their leagues with teams, maybe even start-up teams, if both conferences survive the shakeup.

MSUM already has some solid ties with WCHA schools like St. Cloud State, Minnesota State Mankato and Bemidji State, because those three schools are affiliated with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (like MSUM) in their sports other than hockey.

The real million dollar question for the Dragons is do they have the millions (educated guess: $30-40 million) to launch a self-sufficient hockey program.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Hakstol on the new league...

Here is what Fighting Sioux head hockey coach Dave Hakstol had to say about the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Hakstol said, 'there is not a final number, it's a matter of being able to add the right programs, programs that fit the mentality and the mind set of the current six institutions.'

The truth will set you free...

Image via WikipediaI have said all along there is a common denominator starting to surface... I have said for a long time that Bruce McLeod has to go and should be removed as commissioner of the WCHA. Andy Baggot's latest revelation kind of reveals what is driving this new conference.

Andy Baggot; Madison.com --- Five Western Collegiate Hockey Association schools -- Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota -- joined forces with Miami (Ohio) out of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association to form a new allegience starting in 2013-14 that was revealed last week.

One of the biggest questions has to do with how the proud and powerful WCHA allowed this to happen. Why would these premier members abruptly abandon a recognized 12-team brand to begin anew?

A college hockey source may have provided it Wednesday morning a couple hours before the presidents, athletic directors and coaches from the six schools took questions.

The source said that officials at Denver and North Dakota strongly questioned the direction of the WCHA during the annual American Hockey Coaches Association convention in Florida in May. There was sentiment to force long-time commissioner Bruce McLeod to step down, but the source said that while people from multiple schools inched up to that line, "no one crossed it.''

When the notion came up of schools possibly seceding from the WCHA instead, it was met with the threat of six-figure fines per institution.

Obviously, that didn't go over very well.

Goon's World Extras

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