Goon's World

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

Mikael Granlund shootout goal...

This is Minnesota Wild prospect Mikael Granlund's goal during the shootout of Saturday's scrimmage during Development Camp. Remind me why he isn't going to be playing for the Minnesota Wild this season, this kid is the real deal. I can't wait till he is playing for the Minnesota Wild.

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

MSU Moorhead says "The Time is Now"

I credit the Fargo Forum's Eric Peterson for guessing correctly but...

According to MSUM AD Peters, MSU Moorhead is pushing towards starting up a DI Men's and Women's Hockey program and has just under half of the money raised to start it up (They say they have $15 million of the required $37 million). They have been exploring starting up DI hockey since 2009.

It's interesting to me that they are exploring this given the state of affairs in Minnesota education financially. The hockey program already has no plans to be funded institutionally, which means it has to be funded privately. How do they plan to raise and maintain such a commitment? Will the WCHA be willing to take on this type of a risky partnership? What if MSU Moorhead decides to go for the program and ends up not being able to get the $37 million? Or worse, what if they manage to successfully start up the program and then run out of funds within the first 5 years of their existence?

To make matters more complicated, there's NCAA Legislation (2010-100) that may not even allow MSU Moorhead to even compete in the manner in which they do. Here is the Proposal 2010-100 (which, by the way, passed legislation and is now set to become NCAA Policy):

In August 2007, the Board placed a four-year moratorium on consideration of new members that expires in August 2011 when the legislation would take effect, if it is adopted. The moratorium was prompted by the presidents’ view that the division should assess the impact of membership migration and develop updated expectations and requirements for membership.

The Leadership Council constructed the new standards were constructed over a period of 18 months. The recommendations include:

A requirement that all new Division I members first spend at least five years as active members in Division II.
New Division I members must have a bona fide offer of membership from a Division I multisport voting conference.
A four-year reclassification process would be created for new members.
An application fee would be established commensurate with the estimated annual average value of direct benefits of Division I membership through distributions and championships (approximately $1.3 million currently).
No school subject to a historically based penalty under the Academic Performance Program would be elected to active membership.
Preliminary certification would be required in the first year of reclassification, and a full compliance review would be required before election to active membership.
New members would be eligible for revenue distributions related to sport sponsorship and grants-in-aid after three years as an active member. Institutions would qualify immediately for Student-Athlete Opportunity, Special Assistance and Academic Enhancement Funds, as well as basketball grant funds as determined by its conference.
The practice of allowing schools to sponsor a single sport in a different division would be eliminated, except in sports where no championship is conducted in its division. Divisions II and III schools currently taking advantage of this opportunity would not affected unless they fail to conduct the sport in Division I for any ensuing year.
The Administration Cabinet would be responsible for review of the reclassification process and appropriate benchmarks.
The Board would vote to elect institutions to active membership (not the Leadership Council).

Leadership Council members believe – and Board members agree – that the recommendations consider a variety of factors, including allowing student-athletes access to championships (by requiring five years of Division II membership before reclassifying) and protecting the Division I “brand” (by requiring compliance with some Division I standards earlier in the reclassification process and tying the application fee to benefits derived from membership).

I bolded the important part of the proposal. What this means is that, though SCSU, MTU, and MSUM fall under the same situation (Hockey is their only DI sport), they've been a part of a DI conference since 2009-2010 (before that, but that's the line stated in the proposal). MSU Moorhead will not have had such a history. So the question is, if they do decide to go DI in hockey, how do they do it? They will have to act faster, unless I misinterpret the moratorium placed in 2007, than the 3 months their AD has defined.

In the end, it might've been better for a school like Concordia College of Moorhead to jump to DI because they've already established a DIII hockey team. But they're not interested, or haven't shown that they were anyhow.

Who knows what they'll do and if they'd be even allowed to do it. Throw in the finances and I feel that this is very much a long shot.

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

MSU-M making a announcement tomorrow…

Dom Izzo the Sports Director for WDAY-TV Channel 6 in Fargo, ND tweeted this tonight on Twitter.

BREAKING: #MSUM has called a press conference for tomorrow at 1 to update it's status on creating a D-1 Hockey Team, more info to come #MSUM

I imagine they are either going announce that they are joining the WCHA or they are going to not be starting a Division I college hockey program.

Message from SCSU President Earl H. Potter III

I am wondering if this refutes this statement; -> “We expected to be in conversations about being in a new league,” Potter said today “But as we looked at it ... we intended to say ‘no.’ ” [Previous statement from SCSU President Earl H. Potter III]

Center Ice Club:

We know that there are numerous rumors circulating about St. Cloud State’s hockey program, most of which are false. St. Cloud State is engaged in sensitive conversations about the future of college hockey and we are unable to engage in public conversations. The one rumor that we can clarify is that St. Cloud State was never invited to join the new conference and thus we did not turn down an invitation.

Also know that we are working diligently to assure that Husky Hockey remains a leader on the national level – a position we have maintained since the outset more than two decades ago. We anticipate significant changes in college hockey across the country including in the WCHA, the new NCHC and the CCHA in the coming months. In the meantime, the WCHA is in place for the next two years in its 12-team format. Just as soon as we are able to go public with information, we will communicate with you and all of our Husky Hockey fans.

We appreciate your loyalty to Husky Hockey and to St. Cloud State University.

Earl H. Potter III
President
St. Cloud State University

JT Miller Bolts for OHL

Image via WikipediaUND Incoming Recruit, or former incoming recruit, apparently will not play for UND in the fall and instead bolt for the OHL Plymouth Whalers. The report was confirmed by Guy Flaming of the Pipeline Show. Here's his article:

The Pipeline Show has now confirmed with the player himself that New York Rangers prospect J. T. Miller is indeed detouring away from his NCAA commitment to North Dakota and will instead play for the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL.

Miller will be a guest on TPS this Saturday to discuss in more detail.

The Ohio product was chosen 15th overall by the New York Rangers last month at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota. His first appearance on The Pipeline Show was back in April and he confirmed to us back then that he would officially decide after the draft where he would play next year.

This is obviously a blow to the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota who have lost 6 of their top 7 scorers from last year to graduation or to pro hockey (Jason Gregoire).

I can say that this isn't much of a surprise. I had a feeling he'd end up in Plymouth. What was disappointing was that it comes before his freshman year rather than after it. I felt that he'd bolt before his sophomore season, but would play one season in Grand Forks first.

I'm wondering if this isn't another Trevor Lewis type deal. IIRC, Trevor Lewis committed to the University of Michigan and then signed a pro contract with the LA Kings who assigned him to the Owen Sound Attack (OHL). It gets Miller past his rookie contract quicker, sure, but it will pressure him to develop faster as well. Though this isn't impossible and Miller could very well be up to it (Lewis just completed his first full season with LA this year and did ok), it does put a bit higher pressure on Miller.

Oh well, I guess. Tough blow for UND. Wish Miller the best. I wonder if this news makes the Cichy transfer more painful? Probably not with the fans. I got the feeling that many commentors didn't much care for Cichy.

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

More on the NCHC...

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...

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.

The NCHC press conference

Here was the press conference in question. Some have been less than impressed with the introduction of the new league... Oh well, not much was said, they kept it simple.

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 WCHA response...

Image via WikipediaBetter late than never eh? I have been very disappointed in the WCHA's response to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. This is the WCHA's official response.

MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) today issued the following statement from Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod in response to the announcement that five current men's league member teams will depart following the 2012-13 season to form a new hockey conference that will begin play in 2013-14. Those teams are Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha and North Dakota.

"Obviously it's a tough day for the WCHA and a sad one for me personally," said McLeod, "and it's one that is not easy to put into perspective. We wish everyone well, but make no mistake, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is not going away. The league will proudly mark it's 60th season this fall and we will continue to operate as a full-fledged Association and continue to do business the way we always have – in a first-class and forward-thinking manner.

"The history of the WCHA includes numerous eras of expansion and contraction but what has remained constant has been our success – both on and off the ice. Our remaining member institutions – Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State – are absolutely committed to both Division 1 hockey and the WCHA and as an Association we will continue – as we always have – to provide a first-class product. We remain firm in our belief both that the game of college hockey is the best there is and that the WCHA will always be at the forefront of doing what is in the best interests of our sport. We look forward to promoting and enhancing the student-athlete experience, building on positive relationships with our local communities and fans, exciting rivalries and battling for championships.

"As regards to our future," said McLeod, "the WCHA has a short-term plan that we will implement immediately. In the long-term, we will continue to formulate a strategic approach that will ensure the well-being of this Association and it's member teams for the long run. As a group, we remain committed and we are 100% confident our future remains bright."

The WCHA, home to a record 37 national championships teams since it's founding in 1951, will continue to operate as a 12-team conference for the upcoming 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. Current members consist of University of Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State University, Colorado College, University of Denver, Michigan Technological University, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University and University of Wisconsin.

Earlier this year (March 21) the Big Ten announced the formation of a new Div. 1 men's hockey conference that will begin play in 2013-14 and include current WCHA-members Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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.

Guentzel returns to Minnesota...

Colorado College versus the University of Minn...

Image via WikipediaOn the day that the NCHA was making their big announcement the University of Minnesota was usurping the less than impressive National Collegiate Hockey Conference press conference to announce they have re-hired Mike Guentzel as Associate Head coach.

University of Minnesota Press Release --- University of Minnesota men's hockey coach Don Lucia announced today the hiring of Mike Guentzel as Associate Head Coach.

Guentzel, who played defense for Minnesota from 1981-85 and served as an assistant coach for the Gophers from 1994-08, rejoins the Maroon and Gold staff after one year as an assistant coach at Nebraska Omaha during the 2010-11 season. From 2009-10 he was the head coach and general manager of the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers and he was an assistant coach at Colorado College from 2008-09.

"I wanted to hire a Minnesota alumnus, someone who could work with the defensemen, and someone familiar with the WCHA," said Lucia. "Mike has all the qualities I was looking for and it was an easy decision. Mike knows the league, Gopher Hockey, and also has a tremendous relationship with Grant Potulny and Justin Johnson. He is also energized and excited to be a part of the transition to the Big Ten."

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

BGSU AD Christopher not surprised by the formation of new league

According to John Wagner of the Falcon Fodder, BGSU AD Greg Christopher was not surprised about the new Division I hockey conference formation.

John Wagner; Falcon Fodder --- BGSU athletic director Greg Christopher said he wasn’t surprised by the formation of the new league, which also is expected to include Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota.

“I had heard rumblings about a new conference almost immediately after the Big Ten announcement,” he said. “I’m disappointed some schools have left college hockey in such a fragile state that other schools may be forced to drop hockey or won’t have a place to play in the future.”

While it’s unclear what league Bowling Green eventually will call home, Christopher said the school’s commitment to the program won’t change.

Here is the question I wish someone would ask; why is it that some athletic directors and commissioners of the various schools/leagues that "were not" in the mix to be in the new College Hockey Super League knew the league was a possibility, whiles others did not? Do these people not spend any time on their computers at work or at home? Seriously!!! I think we have a communication problem in Division I hockey or at least a disconnect.

Notre Dame to the new conference?

So is Notre Dame going to the new hockey conference. Apparently that is what Mario Lucia told the Star and Tribune beat writer Roman Augustoviz.

Kevin Pates; Rink and Run --- Will the conference have a name by Wednesday? Is Notre Dame and/or Western Michigan, also of the CCHA, any closer to joining the conference? Has a commissioner been selected? (Colorado College AD Ken Ralph has been in the forefront, along with North Dakota AD Brian Faison). Has a public relations director been selected? (Bill Robertson recently left the employ of the Minnesota Wild). Is there a cable TV deal in place? (Rink and Run speculated about Versus, but it was speculation).

Here’s one hint on Notre Dame from high schooler Mario Lucia of Wayzata, Minn., at the Minnesota Wild prospects camp this week. When asked by Minneapolis Star Tribune writer Roman Augustoviz about Lucia’s possible college selection Lucia said:

“I’ve talked to Notre Dame and they’ve told me they are probably going to move into that super conference.”

OK, that’s one question answered. The complete Augustoviz blog post is here.

New York Times; North Dakota and N.C.A.A. Are at Odds Again Over University’s Sioux Mascot

Here is the left leaning New York Times had to say on the dispute between the NCAA and the University of North Dakota. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth a read.

Emma G. Fitzsimmons; New York Times --- For many North Dakotans, the future of the logo — a profile of an Indian with feathers in his hair — is personal. Grant Shaft, the president of the state’s Board of Higher Education, went to law school there and said five generations of his family attended the university. But Mr. Shaft says it is time for the university to move past the matter and comply with N.C.A.A. guidelines.

“My roots with the Fighting Sioux nickname go as deep as anybody,” he said. “The reality of the situation is that the Aug. 15 date is looming, and we’re starting to realize the consequences are really untenable for the athletics department.”

The University of North Dakota is the last college still wrangling over how to get rid of its nickname and logo since the N.C.A.A. issued a policy in 2005 that banned American Indian mascots because they were seen as hostile and abusive. More than a dozen universities have already dropped such names.

The university tried over the last three years to receive an exemption by getting approval from both Sioux tribes in the state, Spirit Lake and Standing Rock. Although some members of the Spirit Lake tribe said they considered the nickname an honor and sued to preserve it, ultimately both tribes could not agree on the issue.

The N.C.A.A. agreed to attend the meeting with state officials this month, but reiterated that it would not change its policy. Bob Williams, the association’s vice president of communications, said: “We need to have a discussion about how they are going to comply with the policy or how they are going to be subject to the provisions of the policy. That’s it.”

Still, Al Carlson, the Republican leader in the State House, and other legislative leaders plan to make their case for keeping the name. Mr. Carlson, who did not return calls, told reporters earlier this year: “The alumni, the people that attend there, overwhelmingly want to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname.”

A spokesman for Mr. Dalrymple, a Republican, said: “The governor is going to Indianapolis because he wants to listen firsthand to the discussion between Al Carlson and the N.C.A.A. He’s trying to understand all points of view.”

Listen to the press conference on the new league

Tomorrow is the big day; we will finally hear the details about the new hockey league that will begin playing in the 2013-14 season. I am sure we will hear some of the reasons why this league is being formed. The University of North Dakota’s Sports Information Department will be having an on-line chat during the press conference that will make the announcement of the new division one hockey league.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A press conference will be held on Wednesday announcing that the University of North Dakota and five other schools are forming a new college hockey conference, and FightingSioux.com is here to provide comprehensive coverage for the best fans in college hockey.

Fans can watch the live, free webcast starting at 12 p.m. CT.

Fans can also participate in a live chat beginning at 11:45 a.m. CT, hosted by assistant athletics director for media relations Jayson Hajdu and new media editor Matt Schill:

Update on the REA...

Image by lirena via FlickrHere is the latest on the Ralph Engelstad Arena...Nice to see that none of the hockey schools that are scheduled will have to be rescheduled, moved, postponed or cancelled. Of course I have heard all kinds of jokes and suggestions that this fire is surround by suspicious circumstances. I do not believe that is the case.

Grand Forks Herald --- Cleaning up after its July 3 fire will take more time, Ralph Engelstad Arena officials said Monday.

According to a news release, the fire began in a cluster of speakers located above center ice. No structural damage occurred, but smoke damage was prevalent throughout the building.

The smoke damage left behind a film of soot that will take several weeks to remove.

“It is an extensive process,” said Chris Semrau, director of media relations for the REA.

As part of the cleaning process, the Sioux Shop will remain closed this week. An official reopening date will be determined later this week.

Merchandise in the store during the fire has been removed, and new merchandise will take its place, officials said.

Semrau said the fate of the damaged merchandise is still being determined.

“It’s one of the many things we’re discussing with the insurance company,” he said. “We’ll know more in the coming weeks.”

Illegal Curve on former Sioux Jason Gregoire...

Kyle from the Illegal Curve has a nice write up on former Fighting Sioux leftwing/forward Jason Gregoire. Recently Jason Gregoire decided to forgo is last year of eligibility to sign an entry level deal with the Winnipeg Jets.

More on Gregoire after the jump.

The versatile left-winger left school after his junior year to take advantage of a cap loophole and make himself a free-agent. Fielding offers from several teams, Gregoire decided on the home-town Jets.

Going forward, Gregoire figures to be in the mix for a job on the left wing with the big club. A 1989 birthdate, Gregoire will bring a mature game to camp and Illegal Curve would not be surprised if he made the club in a 3rd-line checking role or a 4th line energy role. A left-handed shot (quick release and accurate), Gregoire is said to be very coachable and well-liked in the room.

Standing not quite 6’ tall and tipping the scales at nearly 200 pounds, Gregoire can play a variety of styles and could make himself a valuable addition to Coach Noel’s depth chart. The aforementioned hockey sense, coupled with his preference to play up-and-down the wing and his knack for scoring timely goals would seem to indicate that he would slot in somewhere between 3rd and 6th on the Jets current left-wing depth chart.

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.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Did I just read that? Again?

Image via WikipediaI like most of you have been reading lots of articles, blogs and message boards and at times it all seems like a blur… While perusing the Lets Go DU ~~Hockey~~ Sports blog I came across a link to an article that I had read earlier in the day written by Matt Wellens of the Daily News. I had totally read over this paragraph and didn't see it originally.

Notre Dame remains uncommitted to any conference at this time and is pressing for a smaller league that features a larger non-conference slate, according to multiple Mining Journal sources. The Irish are looking for a seven-team league with a 24-game conference schedule in order to fill the rest of their dates with meetings against fellow Bowl Championship Subdivision member Boston College and the Big Ten schools.

So after reading that paragraph again I had to ask myself; is there is another “Super League” out there ready to form or is Notre Dame talking about joining the College Hockey Super League… I was wondering if anyone else gleaned that from the paragraph… We will soon find out where Notre Dame is going.

Also developing today -> NMU wants to come back to the WCHA. Now what does the CCHA do? One does have to ask if the CCHA is falling apart or reforming into something else?

College Hockey News --- Not waiting to see how things will play out any further, Northern Michigan is closing in on an agreement with the WCHA to move back to its former home, sources confirm. The move of Alaska to the WCHA may be imminent as well. It was reported earlier today by the Duluth News-Tribune that NMU's move was a done deal, but CHN has not been able to confirm that yet.

Disregarding cries for patience going forward, in the aftermath of the exodus of 11 major programs leaving the WCHA and CCHA, Northern Michigan and the WCHA are each moving quickly to ensure their survival.

Northern Michigan has a regularly-scheduled board meeting set for Thursday, where this topic expects to be on the agenda.

With all of the pending moves, the WCHA would be left with five teams in 2013-14, not enough for an NCAA Tournament automatic bid. Bringing in two more teams ensures the WCHA will go on, and also renews the intra-conference rivalry between NMU and fellow Upper Peninsula school Michigan Tech.

Mike Chambers from the Denver Post has another interesting article today and I think Chambers is right; the Super League teams are going to need to schedule the WCHA and CCHA teams left out of the mix or some other team from around college hockey to fill out their schedules. I have been told by an unnamed great hockey mind that I don’t have to worry about teams scheduling the Super League teams… Also, does this mean that we could see a lot of cup cakes at the top of the PWR rankings if they don't make adjustments formula for selecting the NCAA hockey tourney... That probably won't happen.

Mike Chambers; Denver Post --- If the super league does indeed primarily create a nonconference schedule against Big Ten teams, any of those 12 or 13 combined teams will have to be awful good to approach the NCAA Tournament with 20-25 wins in a 36-game regular season. DU has produced a school-record 10 consecutive 20-win seasons, a current streak only matched by Michigan (24 straight). But for the Pios, qualifying for the national tournament after playing four combined regular-season league games against UND, CC, UMD, MU, UNO and hopefully ND (24 total), plus eight to 12 nonconference games against Big Ten foes, would be extraordinarily difficult.

Going 20-10-6 in the regular season would be considered outstanding, but it probably wouldn’t put you in position for a No. 1 or No. 2 NCAA Tournament seed (eight total). Instead, 25-win teams from the ECAC, Hockey East or even the AHA would dominate the first eight seeds. You see, while the Big Ten and super leaguers are beating up on each other, the best in Hockey East, ECAC and AHA are reeling off 15 wins apiece by January.

It worked for Yale last season. The Bulldogs played one regular-season game against proposed Big Ten or super-league teams — beating CC 5-1 in November — and were 26-7-1 entering the NCAA Tournament, as the No. 1 overall seed.

If the formula doesn’t change, many of the super-leaguers and Big Ten boys will go from perennial NCAA Tournament participants to spectators, having exchanged easier schedules and Frozen Four memorabilia for league television revenue and ticket sales in the regular season. To combat that (if the formula doesn’t change), these very teams must schedule six to eight nonconference games against the non-Big Ten teams and those that didn’t make the super-league cut. In the end, DU’s schedule last season might not look that much different beyond 2014.

Super League rumblings

There is a lot of stuff coming out about the new "Super League" and we will try to keep up with all of the news that comes out. I am sure that more stuff will come out as we get closer to the Wednesday press conference. Some of this stuff makes your head spin and your chest hurt.

Some interesting things to come out in the last 24-48 hours... While the president of SCSU Dr. Earl Potter has been saying, “We expected to be in conversations about being in a new league,” Potter said today “But as we looked at it ... we intended to say ‘no.’ ” That statement seemed kind of odd to me when I first read it. I am not sure why the president of SCSU to make this comment because it appears more like sour grapes from the SCSU end and it would also burn bridges in case the "Super League" did come back and ask SCSU to join.

Well now! Further investigation revealed that SCSU is talking out of both sides of it's mouth, it has become public that SCSU was in fact trying to get in to the proposed "Super League" and they were turned down. So after SCSU is rejected they decided to bad mouth the new Super League. Compare and contrast, WMU is also trying to get in the the new "Super League" while not yet a member, is going about it in a lot different manner and holding comments for now, which appears to be a good idea. I also imagine that maybe WMU and Notre Dame might be part of a proposed package deal and we're waiting for Notre Dame to make a decision.

Matt Wellens; The Daily News ---- Multiple sources who would only speak on the condition of anonymity at Northern Michigan University, a CCHA member, have confirmed the formation of the new six-school league and next week's pending announcement, though those sources say Western Michigan is on the outside looking in despite a recent trip by WMU officials to North Dakota.

St. Cloud State of the WCHA is also pressing to get into the league, but it is unlikely the Huskies will be included, one source said.

This revelation proves that the new Super League is not messing around and wants to be a serious counter weight to the BTHC. Hat tip to Matt Wellens of the Daily News.

Invitations were also extended to Boston College and Boston University to join what has been dubbed the "Super League," but both schools turned down the offer to leave Hockey East.

One thing that has been a head scratcher is the fact some people in the WCHA have said that they didn't see this Super League coming. How did they not see this coming down the pike? The reason that I am surprised is that there were all kinds of rumors about the formation of the Super League floating out there since the Frozen Four. My next question is do these schools not communicate with each other? If I was an AD at one of the schools not rumored to be in the Super League mix I would have picked up the phone and started asking questions. You have to be proactive and not reactive.

Beth Bragg; ADN.COM --- The teams are North Dakota, Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota-Duluth and Nebraska-Omaha. A sixth team, Miami of Ohio, would come from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Cobb said.

"I don't think anybody saw this coming," he said.

A call to WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod was not immediately returned Thursday. Cobb said that at the annual WCHA meeting in April, there wasn't a hint that any school was thinking about leaving the league.

"At our meeting in April we voted to extend an invitation to Miami and Notre Dame," Cobb said, referring to a pair of CCHA teams. "That passed with 100 percent of the vote. Nobody said they were unhappy. We left the April meeting and basically some of them contacted Notre Dame and Miami and said, 'Don't take the WCHA invitation, we're going to invite you to join our super league.'

"I blame everybody for being less than honest with their own league members. It's a really sneaky back-door deal."

I believe there are going to be some hard feelings when this is all said and done. I just hope that the schools leaving the WCHA will try and schedule the teams in the WCHA and CCHA. I also hope that there will some how be a way to smooth over some of these hard feelings or it could be a contentious times for the next two seasons remaining in the WCHA.

We don't have a choice

We keep hearing from the Big Ten Hockey Conference fans that we don't have a choice on conference affiliation, well to be honest with you, either do the fans of the five WCHA teams; UND, DU, UMD, UNO, C.C. fans... can we can not play that game as well? You, me and other fans of the five WCHA teams in question have no say in the matter. In the whole grand scheme of things it's really the decision of our programs athletic departments and the fans, bloggers and media members don't have a say one bit, we are a long for the ride.

Large budget commitment driving new league?

Image via Wikipedia

It's almost the middle of July and we are still talking about college hockey; we probably wouldn't be if there wasn't major realignment taking place in college hockey. Usually we would be talking about early departures and players signing professionals contracts but now we are talking about a college hockey super league that won't play for two more seasons.

Here is an interesting blog post from the Colorado Springs Gazette that I found interesting and Mr Paisley hits on the points that is driving this new league. It's no mystery that some college hockey teams are committed to spending more money than others. That's not being elitist that's just stating the facts, I think with the twelve teams currently in the WCHA, Wisconsin, Minnesota, UND, UMD, C.C., UNO and DU are spending more money on their college hockey programs than BSU, MSU-M, MTU, UAA, SCSU.

Joe Paisley; Eye of the Tigers ----The changing voting dynamics in the WCHA membership had the smaller schools — by this I mean the ones with smaller athletic budgets that do not appear to be as financially committed to hockey as its No. 1 sport — numbering five in a 10-team league.

The five leaving the WCHA all have that large budget commitment and/or reputation in common.

That logjam and dissatisfaction with WCHA leaders’ efforts to get a league-wide TV deal were two big reasons.

A “WCHA network” was always brought up at league meetings, but you try to get CBS College Sports to go to Houghton or Anchorage. The Big Ten Network did not have such a concern with its six schools.

And falling behind in the TV world would have hindered a status quo WCHA’s recruiting efforts.

The new league is reportedly courting NBC’s Versus which has a 10-year deal with the NHL and may be looking to expand its hockey programming into the college ranks. North Dakota already has a good regional deal while Denver has Root Sports and CC has a relationship with CBS College Sports.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

UND's Ryan Hill transfers to UW- Superior

UND junior-to-be Ryan Hill is transferring to DIII school University of Wisconsin-Superior (called the Yellowjackets). The defenseman hasn't played much in his time with UND so it is not all that surprising that he'd want to get some playing time. Kevin Pates of the Duluth News Tribute broke the story.

Apparently, Ryan transferred to be closer to family and to get increased playing time. He reminds me a lot of former Sioux Todd Alexander. USHL defenseman, overager, recruited walk on (if not outright walk on). Ryan has good size. But he's 23 years old. I'm sure he's itching to prove he has what it takes to compete at a high level at the collegiate level. The article states he investigated transferring to a DI school, but the year he'd have to sit out would be hard to take.

I wish Ryan the best of luck with the Yellowjackets, beat some heads together and get yourself a great degree.

New Conference and Redwing77's Musings Part Two

Conference Teams Musings

When this was announced with Miami in the mix, I thought "Well, all eyes are now on Notre Dame." And then Coach Blashill left WMU. So, we're back to six looking at eight. I'm no longer certain that WMU is in the mix. Blashill would have made it a shoe in, and yeah, it's saying a lot that a coach can make a break a team's chances at conference alignment. So, where do we go?

I was thinking go get Notre Dame for #7 and perhaps SCSU or BSU for #8. Now, scratch SCSU out. I'm not sure why SCSU attracts so many weirdos in high administrative positions but Potter channeled Saigo and voila, welcome to Weirdoville. What's mystifying is that Gino Gasparini is advising SCSU. I would have thought that a positive towards inclusion. Guess Not. Giving the benefit of the doubt, perhaps SCSU wanted to be the big fish in the small pond instead of being maligned at times of being Minnesota's Jan Brady. SCSU fans will not be heard saying "Marsha Marsha Marsha!" in 2013-2014, that's for sure.

As for BSU, look at the intangibles: They've been very competitive as of late. They have a HIGH quality head coach in Serratore. They have brand new state of the art facilities. They have a positive rapport with the current Super League members (except Miami, of which BSU has a neutral stance). Also, without BSU, they only have one Minnesota school: tUMD.

I'd love to see Notre Dame and BSU round out the eight. I don't see going up to ten, which I'd think the next two teams would be WMU and... who? I'd say SCSU but... well...

League Name

Please please please please please please (how many more pleases can I say?) dump the name "College Hockey Super League." I hate it. It's too pretentious and arrogant. It's too bad the MCHA is taken (it's a DIII league) because the Midwest College Hockey Association would be a great name. Perhaps go back in time and call us the Western Collegiate Hockey League (WCHL)?

I keep up coming up with already existing hockey leagues. What do you all suggest?

League Leadership

I know Goon seems to think Gino Gasparini would be a shoe in for the new commissioner but I'm not so sure he'd take the job even if he was offered. He walked away from the USHL when the USHL was willing to give him whatever he wanted. He'd be a good candidate for sure, but I just don't see him taking it. I'm not connected enough with Hockey Administration to know who would be a good candidate to run this league.

I just hope they don't hire a politician to run the league like they did with McLeod. I guess if I wanted to be completely unrealistic, the person I'd love to have is Lou Lamoriello. He has been a DI head coach and he was the HEA Commissioner for a while before bolting for the NHL. However, Lou is as likely to leave New Jersey for this job as I am likely to leave Omaha to buy the LA Dodgers. I'll give McCourt $1000 for the team but otherwise I'm broke.

But on the side of Director of League Officiating.... I'd love the CHSL to adopt a pro style of officiating. Using NCAA and USA Hockey guidelines, the CHSL should be officiated as close to the NHL style as is realistically feasible. It is true that this would cause certain problems, namely compatibility with how other leagues call the game, but it still would be nice to be known as a league that competes with MJ, Europe, and the USHL when it comes to developing NHL caliber officiating talent. To do that, I think we should make a big splash... and go after arguably the most respected name in officiating: Bill McCreary. He may be Canadian, but that's hardly a drawback. He's available (he just retired). He knows hockey and how games SHOULD be called. The whole thing with USA Hockey is something that can be developed, especially since USA hockey is on the upswing and there are resources such as College Hockey, Inc. available to help. The bottom line, no one knows what an NHL style called game looks like and what good officiating talent looks like better than a guy who has been around the top tier of hockey for 20+ years.

Goon's World Extras

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