Goalie Kevin Aldridge Leaves Lake State

Another year, another player leaving their junior program at the semester break. Lake Superior State Freshman goalie Kevin Aldridge has left the Lakers and will return to his former junior team.

Hockey News North --- Lake Superior State University Lakers head coach Damon Whitten has confirmed that freshman goalie Kevin Aldridge has opted to leave the program and return to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League.

A 1994 birth-year, Aldridge backstopped Fairbanks to the NAHL’s Robertson Cup championship last spring.

But Aldridge — a recruit of former Laker head coach Jim Roque — struggled in four appearances with LSSU this season. He had an 0-2 record, .833 save percentage and 4.80 goals-against-average.

“We wish Kevin the best on his return to Fairbanks and in his next steps in his career,” Whitten said.

Very sad to see freshman goaltender @kaldridge30 leave Lake State. However, not seeing much play, I can't blame him. He's a good goalie! ⚓️
— Laker Hockey (@LakeStateHockey) December 18, 2014

Apparently, Whitten had driven @kaldridge30 away by not playing him. It would appear he's playing favs by not giving him much ice time.
— Laker Hockey (@LakeStateHockey) December 18, 2014

“@chelszalewski: @LakeStateHockey he is an amazing goalie who was not given the chance he DESERVED.” Agreed!
— Laker Hockey (@LakeStateHockey) December 18, 2014

UAH not in WCHA plans?

If you read the press release from the WCHA that I received today, It would appear that WCHA is going ahead with a nine team league and it would appear that aren't interested in adding another team such as UAH, or at least during the first season.  

2013-14 WCHA Men’s Membership Concludes Productive Meetings in Detroit
MADISON, Wis. – The nine member teams that will make up the men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association beginning in 2013-14 concluded a series of positive and productive meetings in Detroit this week and continue to move forward on a number of key issues.

“This is certainly an exciting time for the newly-integrated WCHA,” said Minnesota State University, Mankato President Richard Davenport, who is the chair of the league’s President’s Council. “Our meetings this week were spirited and full of camaraderie, and we are all looking forward to the 2013-14 season. Across the board we are 100% committed to putting a highly competitive product on the ice in the WCHA, to compete for championships, to give our student-athletes the best possible experience and to provide our fans with a great game-day experience. The WCHA brand is strong, historic and full of rich tradition and we will carry on that tremendous tradition and also build upon it.”

Among the many topics covered in the meetings,
    •    the membership discussed and approved a 28-game league schedule for 2013-14
    •    the membership discussed and approved a nine-team post-season tournament format
    •    the membership discussed and updated the league’s by-laws
    •    the membership discussed and continues to explore several potential venues for the annual WCHA Final Five playoff championship.

“We have accomplished a great deal and feel tremendously upbeat about where we are at as we look ahead to the 2013-14 season,” said WCHA Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod. “We have had very productive meetings with the coaches, athletic directors and presidents all present and we are united in moving forward to ensure the continued success of the WCHA and its member teams. We are also engaged in on-going discussions with various venues for our flagship event – the WCHA Final Five – and hope to finalize those championship plans as soon as possible.”

The league agreed on a change in governance that will have the Presidents Council act as the Board of Directors and the Athletic Directors serve as the Management Council. The President’s Council also created a Steering Committee to coordinate and handle major issues going forward. The Steering Committee consists of Minnesota State President Richard Davenport, Ferris State President Dave Eisler, Michigan Tech Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret and Bowling Green State Athletic Director Greg Christopher.

Other topics of discussion at the meetings included expansion and identifying potential future member teams and future public relations and marketing initiatives to coincide with the 2013-14 campaign.

Founded in 1951 and home to a collegiate record 37 national championship teams, the men’s WCHA beginning in 2013-14 will consist of the University of Alaska Anchorage, the 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, and Northern Michigan University.

INCH Power Rankings

1. Minnesota
2. Minnesota Duluth
3. Boston University
4. Union
5. UMass Lowell
6. Merrimack
7. Michigan
8. Ferris State
9. Boston College
10. Colorado College
11. Notre Dame
12. Maine
13. Denver
14. Cornell
15. North Dakota 
16. Colgate
17. Miami
18. Harvard
19. Michigan State
20. Western Michigan


Dropped out: Ohio State, Nebraska-Omaha
Bubble-licious: Air Force, Lake Superior State, Ohio State

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings because I find them amusing, especially ranking UNION in fourth place, if you look at the PairWise Rankings you will see that they are ranked 10^th, I think fourth is a big stretch.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - Super Bowl Sunday (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings (2/2/12) (insidehockey.com)
• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 1/29/2012 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings because they are ussually good for a chuckle or two. I find this week's just as amusing as some of the other additions of the INCH Power Rankings. Really 4 ECAC teams in the top 20? 

1. Merrimack
2. Notre Dame
3. Boston College
4. Minnesota
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. Colorado College
7. Ferris State
8. Ohio State
9. Union
10. Colgate
11. Denver
12. Yale
13. Western Michigan
14. Lake Superior State
15. Boston University
16. Miami
17. Cornell
18. Michigan State
19. Michigan Tech
20. Nebraska-Omaha

Dropped out: Michigan
Bubble-licious: Clarkson, UMass Lowell, Michigan

Related articles

• College Hockey Power Rankings: Merrimack Remains on Top (bleacherreport.com)
• You: College Hockey Power Rankings: Minnesota Claims Top Spot (bleacherreport.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)
• Series Preview: Sioux vs. Tigers (insidehockey.com)

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Ranking because I find them thought provoking and well interesting. My first question is, why is BU ranked only 20th after schooling B.C. yesterday? There are five teams from the ECAC in the power rankings. Alright!

1. Merrimack
2. Minnesota
3. Boston College
4. Colorado College
5. Yale
6. Ferris State
7. Notre Dame
8. Michigan
9. Western Michigan
10. Minnesota Duluth
11. Denver
12. Union
13. Ohio State
14. Lake Superior State
15. Colgate
16. Michigan Tech
17. Providence
18. Cornell
19. Dartmouth
20. Boston University
Dropped out: Quinnipiac, Clarkson, Northern Michigan
Bubbelicious: Clarkson, UMass-Lowell, Nebraska-Omaha, New Hampshire, Quinnipiac

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)
• You: College Hockey Power Rankings: Minnesota Claims Top Spot (bleacherreport.com)
• Minnesota Duluth-Bemidji State Preview (insidehockey.com)
• Union cracks top 10 in national poll (timesunion.com)

Badgers in overtime Since 2002-03

Image via WikipediaOne thing that has become very apparent is that the Badgers under head coach Mike Eaves has had a dismal record in overtime, the Badgers have lost three games this season already in overtime. This is the Badgers record in overime since the 2002-03 season. s/t Madison.com If my math is right the Badgers own a record of 12-21-45

2011-12 -- 0-3-0 overall, 0-2-0 WCHA
2010-11 -- 1-3-4 overall, 0-3-3 WCHA
2009-10 -- 0-0-4 overall, 0-0-3 WCHA
2008-09 -- 0-3-4 overall, 0-2-3 WCHA
2007-08 -- 0-3-7 overall, 0-2-5 WCHA
2006-07 -- 2-3-4 overall, 2-3-3 WCHA
2005-06 -- 2-1-3 overall, 0-0-3 WCHA
2004-05 -- 0-1-4 overall, 0-1-3 WCHA
2003-04 -- 5-1-8 overall, 1-0-7 WCHA
2002-03 -- 2-3-4 overall, 2-2-4 WCHA

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings because I find them interesting. I don't think you can rank a team like Yale in the top three when they haven't played a game yet. Also, I think Union is ranked a bit high.

1. Boston College
2. Colorado College
3. Yale
4. Michigan
5. Denver
6. Minnesota
7. Union
8. North Dakota
9. Miami
10. Merrimack
11. Notre Dame
12. Western Michigan
13. Boston University
14. Colgate
15. Dartmouth
16. Alaska Anchorage
17. RIT
18. Providence
19. Michigan Tech
20. Ferris State

Dropped out: Minnesota Duluth, New Hampshire, Maine, Alaska, Air Force
Bubble-licious: Alaska, Bowling Green, Lake Superior State, Quinnipiac

BGSU Hockey To Join WCHA Beginning In 2013-14

Image via WikipediaHere is the official press release from Bowling Green State University. It's a good pick up for the WCHA because they now get a school that is Division I in all sports.

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio— The Bowling Green State University Department of Athletics has accepted an invitation to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) for the 2013-2014 season.

“I’d like to thank the presidents of the institutions in the WCHA for extending this invitation,” BGSU President Dr. Mary Ellen Mazey said. “Our University and our hockey program has many similarities to the current WCHA members and we are excited to join with these schools in two years.”

The offer came on behalf of the presidents representing the WCHA teams that will comprise the Western Collegiate Hockey Association membership following the 2012-13 season. Offers were also extended to fellow Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) institutions Alaska Fairbanks, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University and Western Michigan University. Alaska Fairbanks, Ferris State and Lake Superior State announced their intentions to accept the invitation.

Along with its CCHA brethren, Bowling Green will join Alaska-Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State, and Northern Michigan in the WCHA.

“The WCHA is a great fit for BGSU,” Director of Athletics Greg Christopher said. “WCHA teams are committed to the highest level of college hockey and competing for championships, just as we are at Bowling Green."

Bowling Green has played in the CCHA since its creation in 1971, and is the only founding institution to never leave the
conference.

The CCHA has yielded national collegiate champions, Hobey Baker award winners, and Stanley Cup champions in roughly 40 years of existence. CCHA players have combined for 174 All-American honors, including 88 First-Team selections. Bowling Green defenseman Ken Morrow was the CCHA's first First-Team All-American in 1978.

As a member of the CCHA, Bowling Green has produced seven conference regular season championships, five conference tournament championships, nine NCAA tournament appearances, two frozen four appearances, and one national championship (1984).

The Falcons have also yielded two Hobey Baker Award winners (George McPhee and Brian Holzinger) as members of the CCHA.

“We’re building our program to compete for championships,” Head Coach Chris Bergeron said. “I’m excited about the
direction our program is headed and the league we are moving towards because of the opportunities it provides for us to continue to develop BGSU hockey.”

The shift in the hockey landscape started in March when the Big Ten announced that it would form a new conference for the 2013-14 season. Along with Minnesota, Wisconsin, and newly formed Penn State, the new conference will include current CCHA members Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State.

The creation of a second conference in July marked even more change for the CCHA, as reigning tournament champion Miami announced it would depart for the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference in 2013. The rest of the conference will be made up of former WCHA schools including North Dakota, Minnesota-Duluth, Denver, Colorado College, St. Cloud State, and Nebraska-Omaha.

“We are committed to two more years in the CCHA,” Christopher said. “As one of the founding institutions of the league, Bowling Green hockey and the CCHA have been synonymous with each other. We will continue to build this program over the next two years to reach our goals when we begin play in the WCHA.”

Like the CCHA, the WCHA has been synonymous with college hockey success for decades. Since its inception in 1951, teams representing the WCHA have earned a record 37 NCAA championships, finished as the national runner-up 27 times, and qualified for at least one berth in the NCAA Men's Frozen Four in 55 of 59 seasons overall.

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.

Related articles

• WCHA to expand... (mvn.com)
• LSSU Lakers face crucial decisions... (mvn.com)
• What's up SCSU? (mvn.com)
• Tuesday evening free for all (mvn.com)
• Waiting to Exhale, the WCHA is Back (mvn.com)

More Movement in the college hockey world

Image via WikipediaThis is the article I submitted to Inside Hockey.

Today the National Collegiate Hockey Conference added two more teams bringing the number of league teams to eight, Western Michigan University and Saint Cloud State University officially accepted invitations to join the NCHC. Here are some of the comments and themes that emerged from today’s press conference that was held at Saint Cloud. With the subtraction of SCSU the WCHA now has eight teams; Bemidji State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Northern Michigan University, Michigan Tech University, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks. The WCHA is waiting to see if Bowling Green State University will accept an open invitation to join the WCHA.

Not originally in the Mix:

When the NCHC was first announced this past summer the SCSU Huskies were originally left out of the mix and were not one of the founding charter members of the NCHC. After being originally snubbed by the NCHC, there were a lot of things that were said by the SCSU President Dr. Earl Potter; frankly some of his comments were puzzling and bordered on stupidity. Ironically today, SCSU accepted an invitation to join the NCHC. I have always been told that you don’t want to burn bridges that you might have to cross again as you retreat. Today the SCSU athletic department was in full retrograde mode as they gladly accepted a bid to join the NCHC without reservation. I think that’s what rubs some fans from other teams in the NCHC the wrong way. Their administration said a lot of things when the National was first announced and today it was like they had never made those comments.

Here is what Saint Cloud State University President Dr. Earl Potter had to say today about the selection process. During this past summer we had heard from Potter how SCSU was not interested in joining the NCHC and how the teams in the NCHC were only concerned about themselves. This is what he had to say today.

“They [National] needed room to come together to think to create a process, which they did, in the middle of the summer, a rational fact based process that would be based on the core principles of the new conference and then gather information from potential members that they could use; hold up against their core principles and determine whether or not there was a good fit. “

UND athletic director Brian Faison was asked the following question; “now that the conference is at eight members do you see that as being an optimum number or do you see it growing beyond that.” I think in reading these comments, I think most of us know which team Faison is talking about when he talks about the prospects of future teams being added to the mix.

Yes and no. I don’t think there is a set number in our mind, eight works very well in the sense that it’s a a perfect round robin schedule right now because everyone is in everyone rink. From a conference post season perspective, eight works well, in terms in how you structure that, but at the same time that doesn’t preclude us from looking at nine and if it’s the right team is out there for number nine, we would definitely look at that.

Where do we go from here:

If I were a betting man I would say that there are a few more dominoes yet to fall yet this year. Bowling Green State University has one day left in their 30 day period where they need to tell the WCHA commissioner if the Falcons intend to join the league or not, some seem to think that they’re not on a hard dead line and might still be looking for an invitation to join the NCHC. The other team that has yet to pick a conference is Notre Dame and the Irish seem to be waiting to find out where the rest of their sports teams are going to up when Division I football and Basketball are done blowing their conferences up. This isn’t done yet folks.

Related articles

• RW77′s Take on Conference Realignment Part 2 (mvn.com)
• Waiting to Exhale, the WCHA is Back (mvn.com)
• NCHC Extends Membership Invitations to St. Cloud State and Western Michigan (mvn.com)
• What's up SCSU? (mvn.com)
• WCHA to expand... (mvn.com)

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

Related articles

• WCHA to expand... (mvn.com)
• LSSU Lakers face crucial decisions... (mvn.com)
• University of Alaska Fairbanks to the WCHA? (mvn.com)
• Hump Day Links... (mvn.com)
• Tuesday evening free for all (mvn.com)

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.

Related articles

• WCHA and CCHA league meet in Chicago (mvn.com)
• University of Alaska Fairbanks to the WCHA? (mvn.com)
• Tuesday evening free for all (mvn.com)
• LSSU Lakers face crucial decisions... (mvn.com)
• What's up SCSU? (mvn.com)
• WCHA commish has no guarantees for MSU Moorhead (mvn.com)
• Report: University of Denver, Colorado College hockey leaving WCHA in 2013 (denverpost.com)
• College Hockey's New 'Super Conferences': Are They Good Or Bad For The Game? (sbnation.com)

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.

Related articles

• Is The New National Collegiate Hockey Conference Good For College Hockey? (stupidhockey.typepad.com)
• New hockey conference for DU, CC named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (denverpost.com)
• College Hockey: Reshuffling Blurs Picture, Jeopardizing Conferences (nytimes.com)
• National Collegiate Hockey Conference is new home for DU, Colorado College (denverpost.com)
• WCHA: Shake up in college hockey (robertforto.wordpress.com)