2020 Offseason

[BillyLP]

St. Thomas is officially the 8th CCHA team. They will begin play with the rest of us in 2021-2022.

In general, St. Thomas is a great athletic program with tons of fan support. I'm not sure how much support their hockey program has. Quick searches don't show encouraging attendance numbers, but perhaps that has more to do with facing other D-III opponents and playing in a tiny arena. Geographically, I think it makes sense and is a nice addition for the conference.

[MarkL]

Without looking over the threads, I'm betting nobody guessed a DIII hockey program from Minnesota would be joining the CCHA.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Without looking over the threads, I'm betting nobody guessed a DIII hockey program from Minnesota would be joining the CCHA.

Actually, this scenario was first discussed when St. Thomas was kicked out of the MIAC which was over a year ago.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

After hearing so much about their deep pocket alumni network and the number of students/grads they have and that they're smack dab in the middle of the Twin Cities, I'd expect this is a revenue positive prospect for the league, FloSports, etc.

[pdt1081]

After hearing so much about their deep pocket alumni network and the number of students/grads they have and that they're smack dab in the middle of the Twin Cities, I'd expect this is a revenue positive prospect for the league, FloSports, etc.

And an anchor to keep Mankato from jumping ship to the nacho first chance they get.

[mbenecke]

Anchorage will be discontinuing their hockey program following this season.

[pdt1081]

Anchorage will be discontinuing their hockey program following this season.

https://goseawolves.com/news/2020/8/19/ ... grams.aspx" target="_blank

The state has cut funding for UAA by $34 million since 2014.

[rc_ziggy84]

As much as they say they can’t or don’t want to, I don’t practically see how Miami and WMU don’t swap places with Mankato and Bemidji soon to save costs for both the CCHA and NCHC. The current state of thing has budget cuts everywhere.

I get there is pride and contractual issues, but at some point even those things will budge in my opinion.

[pdt1081]

As much as they say they can’t or don’t want to, I don’t practically see how Miami and WMU don’t swap places with Mankato and Bemidji soon to save costs for both the CCHA and NCHC. The current state of thing has budget cuts everywhere.

I get there is pride and contractual issues, but at some point even those things will budge in my opinion.

The addition of St Thomas should end most of the talk about Mankato and Bemidji leaving the CCHA.

[bgbill]

Mankato has too good a thing going in the WCHA/CCHA. Easiest route to NCAA's for them.

[rc_ziggy84]

Fair point, but it doesn’t solve anything for Miami, Western and the other CCHA schools who have to now go 3x to Minnesota.

Maybe Miami and Western have deep enough pockets to pull it off long term. I’m skeptical, but I could be wrong.

[pdt1081]

Fair point, but it doesn’t solve anything for Miami, Western and the other CCHA schools who have to now go 3x to Minnesota.

Maybe Miami and Western have deep enough pockets to pull it off long term. I’m skeptical, but I could be wrong.

You can't just look at it from BG's standpoint. Yes, 3 trips to Minnesota seems like a lot. You're looking at 10 hours from BG to Mankato or Minneapolis. 8 hours to Tech and Northern. Northern to Mankato is 8 hrs, which is about 2 or 3 hours closer than the trip to Oxford. Tech and Northern were in the WCHA before for a reason. The Minnesota teams were closer to them than the CCHA teams were. People seem to forget there's only one place to drive from lower Michigan to the UP.

The teams in the CCHA aren't going to get a better travel-competition balance than they have moving forward. Western and Miami would be a good add for BG, Ferris, and LSSU, but not necessarily for Tech, Northern, and definitely not for St Thomas. BG and Ferris could look east, but you'd trade slightly better travel for lessor competition.

[bgbill]

Meanwhile, in Potsdam (from northcountrynow.com):

Clarkson University will not offer hockey tickets for upcoming season
Friday, August 21, 2020 - 6:15 am
POTSDAM -- Clarkson University will not offer season hockey tickets for the upcoming season.

No fans will attend sporting events through Dec. 31. A decision to allow fans to be in attendance after that date will be made at a later date and in accordance with university, local, state and federal regulations, Clarkson said.

Any current season tickets holder will have their seats held for the 2021-2022 season. Anyone who has signed up to be on the waiting list will keep their current spot on the waiting list for the 2021-2022. Additionally, anyone who has won a certificate for season tickets for the 2020-2021 regular season will be able to use that certificate for the 2021-2022 season, Clarkson said.

[unfalconbelievable]

I'd be surprised if any of us attend a game this season. I just hope they can play and we can watch through Flohockey, but each day that goes by it gets a little darker in the glimmer of hope.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

During the Zoom webinar last night with Moose and his staff they used hockey as an indoor attendance example. With the Slate at reduced capacity, only 900 seats would be available for:

Students
1200 season ticket holders
Player and coach family tickets
Visiting player tickets

Additionally, staff (league officials, concessions, Zamboni driver, etc.) and broadcast crew count against the 900.