Article on affects of realignment to date

[Schadenfreude]

right, we don't need no stinkin' NCHC. but if it ain't us, chances are good that Mankato goes. that's more disruption, having to replace them with an Atlantic team. not only would the WCHA lose a top team to the nachos, the WCHA footprint gets even bigger and travel gets even worse--from Alaska all the way to NY state. ridiculous.

Maybe the WCHA could poach Robert Morris, which would be slightly closer, but I hear you.

Also, to be clear: I'd love to see BGSU in a hockey conference with Miami and Western Michigan again, but this would work better if they joined our league, not the other way around.

If Arizona State and Minnesota State joined the NCHC and Miami and Western Michigan joined the WCHA, that would be stable. Not saying that would happen, but that would be a good outcome in my mind. (Maybe we could rename it the CCHA and call it a day.)

[BGFan]

right, we don't need no stinkin' NCHC. but if it ain't us, chances are good that Mankato goes. that's more disruption, having to replace them with an Atlantic team. not only would the WCHA lose a top team to the nachos, the WCHA footprint gets even bigger and travel gets even worse--from Alaska all the way to NY state. ridiculous.

Maybe the WCHA could poach Robert Morris, which would be slightly closer, but I hear you.

Also, to be clear: I'd love to see BGSU in a hockey conference with Miami and Western Michigan again, but this would work better if they joined our league, not the other way around.

If Arizona State and Minnesota State joined the NCHC and Miami and Western Michigan joined the WCHA, that would be stable. Not saying that would happen, but that would be a good outcome in my mind. (Maybe we could rename it the CCHA and call it a day.)

You would have to get past Rico's ego first, unless, of course, his superiors get tired of the exorbitant cost of travel and they don't give him a choice.

FWIW, I can almost guarantee that different options are being looked into. Whether reforming the CCHA (BG retained the rights to the name), or something else. While not as bad as the NCHC, the cost of travel in the WCHA is still quite high and there are enough schools in the area to form a new league. BG, Miami, WMU, Ferris, NMU, LSSU, Robert Morris, Canisius, Niagara, and maybe even RIT. They're all within buss distance with a few within home and home distance.

[jpfalcon09]

I don't see BG being a viable option for the NCHC one bit, a move like that would threaten to put the program back in the shape it was by over-extending resources and having to recruit against some of the biggest powers in college hockey. I like the CCHA idea and it might be a plausible option if AZ State does decide to join the NCHC and Mankato goes with them.

However, I don't see AZ State joining the NCHC right away as they might stay independent for a year or two while their program gets their footing, but it's an eventuality they do join.

[poltergeist]

I don't see BG being a viable option for the NCHC one bit, a move like that would threaten to put the program back in the shape it was by over-extending resources and having to recruit against some of the biggest powers in college hockey. I like the CCHA idea and it might be a plausible option if AZ State does decide to join the NCHC and Mankato goes with them.

However, I don't see AZ State joining the NCHC right away as they might stay independent for a year or two while their program gets their footing, but it's an eventuality they do join.

I believe ASU's stated plan is to play independent this season and next, and join a conference for 2017-18.

[jbakerifm]

Has there been a mention of Mankato indicating they would be willing to change conferences that I've missed? I don't see much positive for them in leaving the WCHA other than playing in a perceived stronger conference.