NBC Sports Net releases 24 game college hockey schedule

English: A picture of a RedHawks college hockey fans before a game against Nebraska-Omaha. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Originally post at the Hockey Writers.

With the NHL owners set to lock out the NHL players I they don’t have a new Collective 

Bargaining Agreement on September 15^th, 2012 hockey fans are going to be looking for options when it comes to watching hockey.

Like I mentioned in an earlier post – NHL fans have options. One option that you will have – NBC Sports Network is going to show 24 college hockey games during the  2012-13 season, if the NHL owners and the players don't solve their labor dispute - this will be one of the few options hockey fans are going to be looking for  to file the NHL hockey void.

Not all is lost NHL Hockey fans.

On Friday nights - if there is a lockout - NBC Sports Network will college hockey on the television dial - you can check you local listing to see what channel it's on. For DirecTV subscribers NBSN is on channel 603.

There are a few dates  on the schedule where there are going to be double headers, for instance on November 30th, 2012 you will be able to watch Boston College play Boston University at 7:30 PM  Easter followed by Wisconsin at Denver University at 10 PM Eastern.

Also, you can expect CBS Sports Network to release their college hockey schedule very soon.  Here is the link to the NBC Sports Net Announcement.

Ice Breaker Tournament

Fri., Oct. 12 Notre Dame vs. #12 Maine 7 p.m.
Army vs. Nebraska TBD
Sat., Oct. 13 Final (Teams TBD) 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 16 Harvard at #13 Cornell 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 #1 Boston College at #11 Boston University 7:30 p.m.
Wisconsin at #8 Denver 10 p.m.
Dec. 1 #11 Boston University at #1 Boston College 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 Michigan State at Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 4 Colorado College at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 #3 Union at Princeton 7:30 p.m.
Nebraska-Omaha at Denver 10 p.m.
Jan. 18 Harvard at Yale 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 Yale at #13 Cornell 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 Dartmouth at #3 Union 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 #6 North Dakota at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 #11 Boston University at #12 Maine 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 Yale at Quinnipiac 7:30 p.m.
#6 North Dakota at #8 Denver 10 p.m.
March 1 Wisconsin at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
March 8 #12 Maine at New Hampshire 7:30 p.m.

Hockey East Tournament

March 15 Quarterfinals 7 p.m.
March 22 Semifinals 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
March 23 Final 7 p.m.
All rankings based off USA Today/USA Hockey Men’s College Hockey Poll (April 9, 2012).

Tuesday Links - Discipline and TV Schedule addition

Senkbeil, Parks punished for minors bit.ly/RQhQ4X
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) September 11, 2012

There might be four people that hasn't heard about this yet. As we know word travels fast in Grand Forks, ND. UND hockey beat writer Brad Schlossman, is reporting that two UND hockey players were cited for Minor in Possession. Unlike the "other school" to the south coach Hakstol deals swiftly with these types of matters swiftly before they get out of hand.

Two UND players have been punished for receiving minors in possession/consumption of alcohol.

Dan Senkbeil, who was cited for a minor and for failure to halt on Aug. 31, was suspended from all team activities for two weeks. He has not yet been cleared by coach Dave Hakstol to play in games. Senkbeil received his minor one week before turning 21.

Michael Parks was cited for a minor and his punishment is being handled internally. Parks is 20.

Apparently, the NDSU head football coach Craig Bohl is finally, going to start giving their players some sort of punishment - no matter how minor it might seem - Sophomore outside lineback Travis Beck will now be given a minor slap on the wrist after he recieved his second Minor in Possession of alcohol.

#NDSU HC Craig Bohl tells me Travis Beck will be disciplined internally by team for charge of MIP
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) September 11, 2012

NBCSN released it's 2012-13 college hockey schedule today and UND hockey fans will get to see at least two road games on the NBCSN.

Ice Breaker Tournament

Fri., Oct. 12 Notre Dame vs. #12 Maine 7 p.m.
Army vs. Nebraska TBD
Sat., Oct. 13 Final (Teams TBD) 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 16 Harvard at #13 Cornell 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 #1 Boston College at #11 Boston University 7:30 p.m.
Wisconsin at #8 Denver 10 p.m.
Dec. 1 #11 Boston University at #1 Boston College 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 Michigan State at Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 4 Colorado College at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 #3 Union at Princeton 7:30 p.m.
Nebraska-Omaha at Denver 10 p.m.
Jan. 18 Harvard at Yale 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 Yale at #13 Cornell 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 Dartmouth at #3 Union 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 #6 North Dakota at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 #11 Boston University at #12 Maine 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 Yale at Quinnipiac 7:30 p.m.
#6 North Dakota at #8 Denver 10 p.m.
March 1 Wisconsin at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
March 8 #12 Maine at New Hampshire 7:30 p.m.

Hockey East Tournament

March 15 Quarterfinals 7 p.m.
March 22 Semifinals 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
March 23 Final 7 p.m.

Zombo Disallowed Goal UNO vs. CC

This is from last night's game [Friday Night] between UNO and C.C., the Tigers won the game 4-3. I don't know, it looks like the on ice officials blew the call on this one. There is no distinct kicking motion on the play. Of course the on ice officials for this series were Don Adam, Timm Walsh, two of the worst officials in the WCHA.

I was surprised that Dean Blais didn't protest this goal more but he seemed to be fine with the call after the explanation from the refs.

Related articles

• UND, UNO to play outdoors in February 2013 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Blais not ready to retire just yet... (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

INCH Power Rankings

1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Minnesota
3. Merrimack
4. Boston College
5. Notre Dame
6. Union
7. Ohio State
8. Boston University
9. Cornell
10. Colorado College
11. Western Michigan
12. Denver
13. Michigan
14. UMass Lowell
15. Nebraska-Omaha
16. North Dakota 1 Despite losing three of four to Minnesota in the regular season, the North Dakotans beat the Gophers Friday to keep their rivals to the east from earning a four-game season series sweep for the first time since 1991-92. 12-9-2 (8-8-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Minnesota, 2-1; L vs. Minnesota, 6-2. THIS WEEK: at St. Cloud State, at St. Cloud State
17. Ferris State
18. Colgate
19. Miami
20. Quinnipiac

Dropped out: Northeastern
Bubble-licious: Lake Superior State, Maine

The weekly Inside College Hockey Power Rankings are out and UND is ranked 16th week.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - January 15 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - January 8 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 1/15/2012

This is my weekly WCHA Power Rankings for INSIDE HOCKEY, Zack Friedli from Hockey State of Mind and I do a weekly WCHA Power Rankings.

1.  Minnesota Duluth – (11-3-2 WCHA, 15-4-3) The Bulldogs split with the UNO Mavericks (6-2 W, 3-1 L) in Omaha, Nebraska. The Bulldogs return home to play the University of Alabama Huntsville Chargers.

2. Minnesota – (12-4-0 WCHA, 16-8-1) Minnesota split with North Dakota (1-2 L, W 6-2 W). This weekend the Gophers entertain the Colorado College Tigers at Mariucci Arena. Minnesota is 7-7-1 in their last 15 games.

3.  Denver – (8-5-3 WCHA, 13-8-3). This past weekend the Pioneers swept the Bemidji State Beavers (6-3 W, 3-2 W) in Denver Colorado. This weekend the Pioneers are off.

4. Colorado College – (13-8-1 WCHA, 10-6-0) The Tigers split their weekend series with the Saint Cloud State Huskies (3-1 W, 3-4 O.T. L). This weekend the Tigers travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota to play the Gophers.

5.  Nebraska-Omaha – (8-5-3 WCHA, 11-9-4) The Mavericks split with top ranked Minnesota Duluth this past weekend in Omaha, Nebraska (2-6 L, 3-1 W). The Mavericks will travel to play the Purple Mavericks of Minnesota State University Minnesota.  

6.  North Dakota – (8-8-0, 12-9-2) The University of North Dakota split with Minnesota this past weekend (2-1 W, 6-2 L). This weekend, North Dakota travels to Saint Cloud to play their rival the SCSU Huskies. The University of North Dakota has been hit by the Injury Ninja and the following players are “currently out” of the line up for UND, Rocco Grimaldi (knee), Derek Forbort (unknown), Brendan O'Donnell(shoulder)and Derek Rodwell (shoulder, season ending).

7.  Michigan Tech – (8-7-1 WCHA, 11-11-1) The Michigan Tech Huskies swept the hapless University of Anchorage Alaska Seawolves (6-2, 6-4) in Houghton, Michigan.  This weekend the Michigan Tec Huskies entertain their cross state rivals from Northern Michigan.   

8. St. Cloud State – (6-7-3 WCHA, 9-11-4) The Huskies split their weekend series with the Colorado College Tigers (1-3 L, 4-3 O.T. W). The Huskies entertain the North Dakota this weekend at the National Hockey Center.

9. Wisconsin – (5-9-2 WCHA, 10-10-2) The Wisconsin Badgers have an impressive 9-4-1 record at home and after splitting with Minnesota State Mankato on the road this past weekend, the Badgers now have an unimpressive 1-6-1 record away from the Kohl Center. With the weekend split in Mankato, the Badgers have never swept the Minnesota State Mavericks in Mankato. This weekend the Badgers entertain the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.

10. Bemidji State – (5-9-2 WCHA, 11-11-2) The Beavers were swept by Denver University in Denver (3-6 L, 2-3 L).  The Beavers are off this weekend.

11. Alaska-Anchorage – (3-12-1 WCHA, 6-12-2) The Seawolves were swept by the Michigan Tech Huskies (2-6 L, 4-6 L) in Houghton Michigan this past weekend. This weekend the Seawolves travel to Madison, Wisconsin to play the Badgers.

12.  Minnesota State – (3-12-1 WCHA, 7-16-1) The Minnesota State Mavericks split their series with the Wisconsin Badgers (0-4 L, 3-0 W). With the win the Mavericks broke a 10 game winless streak in WCHA play, dating back to November 11^th, 2011. Extending a streak; after this weekend’s split against the Badgers, the Mavericks have never been swept by Wisconsin Badgers in Mankato, Minnesota. This weekend the Mavericks entertain the Red Mavericks from Nebraska Omaha at the Verizon Wireless Center. 

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - January 15 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - January 8 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

INCH Power Rankings.

1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Ohio State
3. Notre Dame
4. Minnesota
5. Boston College
6. Merrimack
7. Colorado College
8. Union
9. Colgate
10. UMass Lowell
11. Boston University
12. Cornell
13. Western Michigan
14. Denver
15. Michigan
16. Nebraska-Omaha
17. North Dakota 2 Is it another second-half surge for North Dakota? They've gone 7-1-1 in their last nine, since splitting a series with Bemidji State in November. 11-8-2 (7-7-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Clarkson, 3-1 (Winnipeg, MB). THIS WEEK: vs. Minnesota, vs. Minnesota.
18. Northeastern
19. Ferris State
20. Miami

Dropped out: Michigan State, Lake Superior State

Bubble-licious: Maine, Mercyhurst, Lake Superior State, Quinnipiac

Here is this week's INCH Power rankings. Every week I like to include the INCH Power Rankings because I find them interesting.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - January 8 (insidehockey.com)
• INCH Power Rankings (mvn.com)

INCH Power Rankings

1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Minnesota
3. Merrimack
4. Boston College
5. Ohio State
6. Colgate
7. Notre Dame
8. Colorado College
9. Western Michigan
10. Union
11. Boston University
12. Ferris State
13. Cornell
14. Denver
15. UMass Lowell
16.Michigan State
17. Lake Superior State
18. Nebraska-Omaha
19. North Dakota
20. Northeastern
Dropped out: Yale, Providence
Bubble-licious: Air Force, Michigan Tech, Michigan, Providence

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings because I find them interesting. I don't see anything that sticks out in this week's power rankings. 

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

WCHA STANDINGS
Team………………………W-L-T………Points1. Minnesota…………...……10-2-0…..……20
2. Minnesota-Duluth……… 9-2-1….……..19
3. Nebraska-Omaha………6-3-3……….. 15
4. Colorado College……… 6-4-0……….. 12
4. North Dakota……….…...6-6-0….……..12
6. Denver…………..………..4-3-3……….. 11
6. Michigan Tech…………. 5-6-1…….…..11
6. St. Cloud St……………. 4-5-3……….. 11
9. Bemidji State…………. 4-6-2……….. 10
10. Wisconsin……………..4-7-1…..……..9
11. Alaska-Anchorage……2-9-1…………5
12. Minnesota State……… 2-9-1…………5

WCHA Games

Nebraska-Omaha @ #19 North Dakota
Last weekend the Mavericks split with Alabama-Huntsville in Nashville and the Sioux swept the Seawolves in Anchorage.

These teams have only played four games all time, going 2-2-0. The Sioux seem to be warming up, going on a four game winning streak. The Mavericks are 2-1-1 over their last four games, and UNO is 3-4-2 away from Omaha this season. The Sioux or the UND formerly known as the Sioux, are 5-2-1 at The Ralph this year. This is the last official games for both teams (UND has an exhibition game next weekend) until December 30-31. Needless to say both teams would like to head into break on a good note. NORTH DAKOTA 3-PTS


#13 Denver @ # Bemidji State
Last weekend the Pioneers lost to the CC Tigers in Colorado Springs and the Beavers took three points from the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

The Beavers are hard to figure sometimes, one night they give up five goals the next they shut you out. The next series they give up six the first night and one the next, a bit of Jekyll and Hyde. Denver has been more consistent with their scoring and defense this year than Bemidji. The Pioneers have not fared to well on the road this season owning a 1-3-1 record away from Magness. SPLIT


Alaska-Anchorage @ #6 Colorado College
Last weekend the Seawolves were swept at home by North Dakota and the Tigers beat the Pioneers in their one game in overtime.

The Tigers remain purr-fect at home this season boosting a 5-0-0 record at world arena, thanks to a overtime game winning penalty shot last Friday night. The Seawolves are 1-4-1 away from Anchorage this year. The Seawolves need to find a way to score goals, they have scored only 20 goals in 12 league games. The Tigers need play their game, and use their speed to their advantage on the big sheet of ice. TIGERS SWEEP


Michigan Tech @ #2 Minnesota
Last weekend the Huskies got swept by the Bulldogs in Duluth and the Gophers swept the MSU Mavericks in Minneapolis.

The Huskies got off to a fast start and now have cooled down, going 2-5-0 in their last seven games, with the wins coming over UAA and St. Lawrence. The guys from Houghton have been scoring this year, so they just need to shore up their own end. The Gophers rebounded last weekend after stumbling at Michigan State. The Gophers are tough at home this year sporting a 8-1-0 record at Mariucci arena. Tech needs to right their ship before Christmas break, but this is a tough task this weekend. GOPHERS SWEEP


#1 Minnesota-Duluth @ Wisconsin Badgers
Last weekend the Bulldogs swept the MTU Huskies in Duluth and the Badgers enjoyed a weekend off.

The Bulldogs haven’t lost a game since October 15th against the Gophers, and are unbeaten on the road, going 4-0-2 this season. This is the start of a six game road trip for UMD, but they have the Christmas break in their too. After this weekend, they don’t play again until January 6-7 at Western Michigan. The Badgers are good at the Kohl center this year going 7-3-0, but away from home they are 0-5-1. I’m not sure who will be favored; okay I’m sure UMD will be with their ranking. SPLIT


NON-CONFERENCE

Alabama-Huntsville @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the Gophers in Minneapolis and the Chargers split with the UNO Mavericks in Huntsville.

The Chargers got their first win of the season on Friday night, which now mover their record to 1-15-1 this year. The Mavericks have most of their wounded back, so look for them to start coming together this weekend. MAVERICKS SWEEP


BYE WEEK
St. Cloud State Huskies

INCH Power Rankings

As always I include the INCH Power Rankings because I find them to be interesting and they make me scratch my head in disbelief. B.C. is pounded on Friday night and they come back to get the win on Saturday night but still are third in the power rankings.

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

Dropped out: Miami, Michigan Tech, Nebraska-Omaha

Bubble-licious: Air Force, Michigan Tech, Nebraska-Omaha

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

2CHA STANDINGS
Team........................W-L-T.......Points1. Minnesota……………… 8-2-0………..16
2. Minnesota-Duluth…..7-2-1………..15
2. Nebraska-Omaha……6-3-3……….. 15
4. Denver…………………..4-2-3……….. 11
4. Michigan Tech……….5-4-1………..11
6. Colorado College……5-4-0……….. 10
7. St. Cloud St…………...4-4-2……….. 10
8. Wisconsin……………..4-7-1……….. 9
9. North Dakota………..4-6-0………..8
10. Bemidji State………3-6-1……….. 7
11. Alaska-Anchorage…2-7-1………..5
12. Minnesota State……2-7-1……….. 5



WCHA Games
North Dakota @ Alaska-AnchorageLast weekend the Sioux swept the CC Tigers in Grand Forks and the Seawolves took 3-points from the MSU Mavericks in Mankato.

Looking at the numbers the Sioux are a dismal 1-5-0 away from Grand Forks this year, and the Seawolves are 2-3-1 at the Sully this season. I’m giving UND the edge in scoring, now averaging 2.8 goals per game and UAA is at 1.7. Like everyone says, it’s a long trip to Anchorage, and it is, so it can be a factor. SPLIT

#10 Denver @ #8 Colorado College (Friday only)Last weekend the Tigers where swept by the Sioux in Grand Forks and the Pioneers beat Princeton and lost to Miami in Denver.

Game 2 of the Gold Pan. I’m sure the Tiger will be looking for some revenge after losing to DU 5-4 on Nov. 12 and just getting swept on the road. With all big rivalry games, you can throw records, stats, and your opponent out the window. These games are emotional, so however plays the hardest will win. TIGERS WIN.


Bemidji State @ St. Cloud StateLast weekend the Beavers had a free weekend to eat turkey and the Huskies took home 1-point from the UNO Mavericks in Omaha.

The Huskies are still undefeated at the NHC, 3-0-2, and the Beavers are 2-6-0 away from the Beaver pond. HUSKIES 3-PTS


Minnesota State @ #5 MinnesotaLast weekend the Gophers took 1-point from the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing and the MSU Mavericks got 1-point from the Seawolves in Mankato.

Ah, just looking at this match-up it brought the memory of these teams playing that epic playoff series in Mankato about four years ago. That was a good series, and I would like to see some more games like that in this series. Unfortunately, I don’t think we will see that this weekend, the Gophers are good this season, and the Mavericks have been banged up pretty good this year. However, the UM stumbled some last weekend, so maybe the Mavericks can hit them while they are down… GOPHERS SWEEP


#4 Minnesota-Duluth @ #20 Michigan Tech
Last weekend the Bulldogs enjoyed the holiday weekend off and the Huskies split with St. Lawrence Saints in St. Lawrence.

This should be a good series Tech is needed to get a win or two show everyone that the hot start was not just a flash in the pan and that they have staying power. The defending national champs are looking good now, real good. SPLIT.


NON-CONFERENCE
Nebraska-Omaha (7-6-3 overall) @ Alabama-Huntsville (0-14-1 overall)
Last weekend the Mavericks took 3-points from the SCSU Huskies in Omaha and the Chargers lost at U-Mass Lowell 3-0 and lost to New Hampshire 9-1.

The Chargers are not a good teams this year, and I’ll leave it at that. MAVERICKS SWEEP.


BYE WEEK
Wisconsin Badgers

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• North Dakota-Alaska Anchorage Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: November 1st (insidehockey.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)

More on the NCHC...

Image via WikipediaThe NCHC had their first press conference in Colorado Springs today and I found a couple of interesting things in a newspaper article written by Fighting Sioux Hockey beat writer Brad Schlossman that caught my attention. There has been a lot of stuff thrown out there this past week and Brad's article put things in perspective. 

Brad Schlossman; Grand Forks Herald --- The new league, which has taken considerable flak from the national media since its formation was reported last week, de-bunked several myths.

The most notable: These schools did not vote to stay together at April’s WCHA meetings in Florida, which had been previously reported.

Wow!!! We were told that all of the WCHA members voted to stay with the WCHA during the annual American Hockey Coaches Association convention that was held last May in Florida. As you can see now that claim has been refuted with these comments from UND athletic director Brad Faison. So there seems to be a schism among the members of the WCHA.

Brad Schlossman; Grand Forks Herald ---In fact, the idea of the new conference was brought up and was met by a proposal by one athletic director to mandate a six-figure fine for those leaving the league. That proposal was never voted on.

Clearly, though, there were concerns from a few schools. And the more they talked, the closer they moved to starting a new conference.

“The more we talked, the more we recognized what we had in common,” Omaha athletic director Trev Alberts said. “I can’t tell you that there was any specific athletic director or head coach leading the charge. It just happened naturally out of the course of informal conversations.”

Both Faison and Ralph said the talks between the athletic directors have been very productive.

“The level of professionalism in these meetings has been astronomical, it has been through the roof,” Ralph said. “It’s so exciting, so invigorating to be in these meetings. The quality of administrators is second to none. I’m really proud to be part of it.”

The athletic directors confirmed that multiple national outlets have contacted them about broadcasting games. Sources say that Versus, which will soon be re-branded NBC Sports, is one of them.

Faison said the goal is for all games — home and road — to be televised.

“We’ve already had preliminary interest from some national media,” Faison said. “For Fighting Sioux fans, I expect that we’ll find ourselves in position where every game we play will be on TV, which is huge. Television certainly brings some revenue, but the reality is that the exposure, whether it be for recruiting or projecting back to our alumni, is important. We have a good TV platform. This will just enhance that in a dramatic fashion.”

From reading the comments of the article above you can see that the league was not just slapped together  haphazardly,  it looks like a lot of thought has been put into the formation of this college hockey conference. It will be interesting to see what kind of a TV deal the new league can get. I like most Fighting Sioux Hockey fans would love to be able to watch every single game home and away on television, that would be a major accomplishment. Not many Division I college hockey teams can make that claim.

Lastly, I also want to know how a league that is set up by the member schools, who hire the commissioner would allow that league commissioner to fine their member schools six figures for leaving a league? That seems odd to me. 

Related articles

• National Collegiate Hockey Conference is new home for DU, Colorado College (denverpost.com)
• Powerhouse programs form new college hockey league (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Another perspective to consider...

Ryan S. Clark of Slightly Chilled and beat writer for the Fargo Forum has an interesting perspective to consider, I have seen a lot of gloom and doom scenarios out there and Ryan's perspective goes more to the silver lining...If you haven't seen this blog post it's worth a look.

Ryan S. Clark; Slightly Chilled --- That’s something these schools, the ones not in the “Super League”, have to start doing. A buddy of mine on Sunday made a valid point. He pointed out that Nebraska-Omaha has never been one of the traditional hockey powers but that program made the steps to compete and now they’re at the cool kids table while everyone else is wondering what they have to do to get invited.

This next point might hit a nerve but it needs to be said. Hockey fans are arguably the greatest guardians of its game. They have to be. They’re constantly sticking up for a sport that’s often ridiculed. These are the same fans that tout pride, honor, tradition, et. al. They are fans that want more people to love the game regardless of race, socioeconomics, you name it.

But just mention the idea of a new team in a “non-traditional’ market or any kind of change and World War III has just started. It is that attitude and that mentality is what will keep hockey a niche sport. Frederick Douglass once said, “Without struggle there is no progress.” It feels like at times hockey’s struggle has been progress.

Let go of the idea that things need to stay the same. Let go of it so that way the bigger schools can all beat the crap out of one another and that way those smaller programs, which might not have had a tournament chance, play in a separate conference, make the tournament and come into the tournament with a chance at making a run.

Related articles

• NCAA hockey shake-up: Six top schools set to form 'super conference' in 2013-14 (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• New league for DU, Colorado College hockey (denverpost.com)
• College Hockey's New 'Super Conferences': Are They Good Or Bad For The Game? (sbnation.com)