Offseason Thread

[pdt1081]

What's your source for BGSU turning down the NCHC and when did that supposedly happen? I haven't read that anywhere.

Straight from the Athletic Director's mouth.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

For the 10th time, when Mankato and ASU applied for membership, the Nacho brass reached out to BG and asked if we were interested in submitting an application for membership. Word was if we applied we'd be accepted (probably along with Mankato but I'm speculating about that). Bergeron, our AD, and our President reviewed pros and cons and concluded that the Nachos were not a fit for us so we declined their request to submit an application. At a subsequent season ticket holders event our AD shared the story. I went up to him afterwards and in a 1-on-1 conversation confirmed the details, though about 100 people also heard the same thing. So anytime you see/hear scuttlebutt about how BG would be a great fit for the Nachos, think to yourself "yeah, no, not gonna happen." And the reason Schlossman hasn't written about it is because it's not a very good look for the league. Just imagine the hit to their ego!

I've also posted this on SiouxSports. And USCHO. Multiple times, in fact. And each time I post it it's in response to some Sioux fan who is incredulous that anyone could possibly turn down the opportunity to join their league.

As for Miami State travel, in Nacho year 1, per a conversation I had with Bergeron, their travel nut went up nearly $200k. Per an article Wodon published earlier this year, Miami wants out of the Nachos because it's too expensive and would leave if Western wanted to as well (they don't). Lastly, the Miami State message board has talked numerous times about the costs of being in "the SEC of college hockey!" and whether they're sustainable. I'll leave it to you to conclude whether the $250k number is a) accurate or b) accurate and still too high for them. I think the fact that their OOC schedule no longer includes trips to ECAC/HE barns is indicative of their financial situation.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Drew, just saw your tweet. If you’re out there, any insights into the NCAA and Swankler’s eligibility?

He's eligible. Someone at the NCAA made a mistake when he applied. My guess is a person not familiar with junior hockey and thought the OHL and USHL were along the same lines. They're not going to go back on the decision so it's definitely BG's gain. I'm definitely curious who at BG heard about him and thought it was worth the gamble to have him apply.

Apparently the kid also isn't very well liked in circles around Michigan.

Thanks

[Falconwriter]

Why would Miami tie their league affiliation to what Western is doing? I don't understand that rationale. Is this an ego thing?

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Per the Wodon article, if they'd move they'd want to make sure they were going to a league that was as strong as possible. Having Western along would make that happen based on the assumption that Mankato would be leaving for the Nachos. Edit: and that all but eliminates a straight up Mankato-for-Miami State swap.

For the record, I don't believe W or Miami State would ever leave.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I dug up the Wodon article.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/ ... w-CCHA.php

Relevant paragraphs:

I've heard it from enough people over the last year or so — Miami wants to move. It can deny it publicly all it wants, but it's practically common knowledge at this point within college hockey's inner circles. Being in the NCHC is an expensive proposition for Miami, and even though its monumental on-ice success in the 2000s enabled the school to do a lot of big things, it still doesn't have the resources of the nearby Big Ten schools, for example. Miami wants to go, and is willing to pay the heft NCHC exit fee to do it.

Western Michigan, on the other hand, has no interest in moving. Maybe that would change with a different athletic director or head coach. But as it stands, WMU's powers-that-be love being in the NCHC. They think it's helped them attract players that it wouldn't otherwise get.

I happen to disagree — I think WMU would be fine in the new-CCHA, and could dominate that league and make consistent NCAA runs, just like Minnesota State has done in the WCHA. But, they apparently disagree.

So, does that mean a Miami/Minnesota State 1-for-1 swap is feasible? Maybe it is. But you have to wonder if Miami wants to do it if WMU doesn't come along too. After all, even if Miami is itching to move, it still wants to assure itself that it will be in a good conference with as many strong programs as possible. Bringing WMU along too means one more strong program for the new-CCHA.

[jpfalcon09]

I dug up the Wodon article.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/ ... w-CCHA.php

Relevant paragraphs:

I've heard it from enough people over the last year or so — Miami wants to move. It can deny it publicly all it wants, but it's practically common knowledge at this point within college hockey's inner circles. Being in the NCHC is an expensive proposition for Miami, and even though its monumental on-ice success in the 2000s enabled the school to do a lot of big things, it still doesn't have the resources of the nearby Big Ten schools, for example. Miami wants to go, and is willing to pay the heft NCHC exit fee to do it.

Western Michigan, on the other hand, has no interest in moving. Maybe that would change with a different athletic director or head coach. But as it stands, WMU's powers-that-be love being in the NCHC. They think it's helped them attract players that it wouldn't otherwise get.

I happen to disagree — I think WMU would be fine in the new-CCHA, and could dominate that league and make consistent NCAA runs, just like Minnesota State has done in the WCHA. But, they apparently disagree.

So, does that mean a Miami/Minnesota State 1-for-1 swap is feasible? Maybe it is. But you have to wonder if Miami wants to do it if WMU doesn't come along too. After all, even if Miami is itching to move, it still wants to assure itself that it will be in a good conference with as many strong programs as possible. Bringing WMU along too means one more strong program for the new-CCHA.

Even less incentive now for WMU to leave with the massive donation to athletics they received. I think Miami doesn't want to go solo and look stupid in the process. WMU joining them gives each school cover in their decision. Wodon is correct though that their path to the national tournament would have so much less resistance within the CCHA.

[pdt1081]

Drew, just saw your tweet. If you’re out there, any insights into the NCAA and Swankler’s eligibility?

He's eligible. Someone at the NCAA made a mistake when he applied. My guess is a person not familiar with junior hockey and thought the OHL and USHL were along the same lines. They're not going to go back on the decision so it's definitely BG's gain. I'm definitely curious who at BG heard about him and thought it was worth the gamble to have him apply.

Apparently the kid also isn't very well liked in circles around Michigan.

Thanks

https://mobile.twitter.com/BGSUHockeySi ... 1665300488

This whole situation seems odd. The kid's stats speak for themselves. He's a good player on the ice. Committed to RPI, committed to scUM, went the OHL route, applied for clearance from the NCAA himself, then reached out to see if he could play for BG. It's even possible they didn't have to burn a scholarship to get him.

Maybe he's drawn here based on the headlines last season's seniors made in the transfer portal? Just seems like an odd fit for a commitment.

[jpfalcon09]

Drew, just saw your tweet. If you’re out there, any insights into the NCAA and Swankler’s eligibility?

He's eligible. Someone at the NCAA made a mistake when he applied. My guess is a person not familiar with junior hockey and thought the OHL and USHL were along the same lines. They're not going to go back on the decision so it's definitely BG's gain. I'm definitely curious who at BG heard about him and thought it was worth the gamble to have him apply.

Apparently the kid also isn't very well liked in circles around Michigan.

Thanks

https://mobile.twitter.com/BGSUHockeySi ... 1665300488

This whole situation seems odd. The kid's stats speak for themselves. He's a good player on the ice. Committed to RPI, committed to scUM, went the OHL route, applied for clearance from the NCAA himself, then reached out to see if he could play for BG. It's even possible they didn't have to burn a scholarship to get him.

Maybe he's drawn here based on the headlines last season's seniors made in the transfer portal? Just seems like an odd fit for a commitment.

I had a conversation with Mike McMahon from CHN about this, he thinks BG got tipped off by someone associated with Swankler (coach, agent, whatever). BG is the only program that recruited him once he became eligible, and I don't think anyone else was even aware he got the green light from the NCAA. Swankler applied on his own without the assistance of anyone from BGSU, but the details seem to indicate someone knew something in advance.

[BillyLP]

Drew, just saw your tweet. If you’re out there, any insights into the NCAA and Swankler’s eligibility?

He's eligible. Someone at the NCAA made a mistake when he applied. My guess is a person not familiar with junior hockey and thought the OHL and USHL were along the same lines. They're not going to go back on the decision so it's definitely BG's gain. I'm definitely curious who at BG heard about him and thought it was worth the gamble to have him apply.

Apparently the kid also isn't very well liked in circles around Michigan.

Thanks

https://mobile.twitter.com/BGSUHockeySi ... 1665300488

This whole situation seems odd. The kid's stats speak for themselves. He's a good player on the ice. Committed to RPI, committed to scUM, went the OHL route, applied for clearance from the NCAA himself, then reached out to see if he could play for BG. It's even possible they didn't have to burn a scholarship to get him.

Maybe he's drawn here based on the headlines last season's seniors made in the transfer portal? Just seems like an odd fit for a commitment.

I had a conversation with Mike McMahon from CHN about this, he thinks BG got tipped off by someone associated with Swankler (coach, agent, whatever). BG is the only program that recruited him once he became eligible, and I don't think anyone else was even aware he got the green light from the NCAA. Swankler applied on his own without the assistance of anyone from BGSU, but the details seem to indicate someone knew something in advance.

Seems like a win regardless. He's also a Barstool Athlete, and although I hate that company, it means he's got a solid following and could bring some good PR and recruiting power to the program if he has some success.

[pdt1081]

I had a conversation with Mike McMahon from CHN about this, he thinks BG got tipped off by someone associated with Swankler (coach, agent, whatever). BG is the only program that recruited him once he became eligible, and I don't think anyone else was even aware he got the green light from the NCAA. Swankler applied on his own without the assistance of anyone from BGSU, but the details seem to indicate someone knew something in advance.

He is from the same area as Connor Ford. A player of his caliber would have likely "made it known" to other programs he had been declared eligible. It's possible other programs didn't want to put in the work to verify.

[pdt1081]

Seems like a win regardless. He's also a Barstool Athlete, and although I hate that company, it means he's got a solid following and could bring some good PR and recruiting power to the program if he has some success.

Barstool will change. In Ohio, Barstool is not an approved NIL company. I believe it is due to them being owned by Penn National Gaming.

[BillyLP]

Seems like a win regardless. He's also a Barstool Athlete, and although I hate that company, it means he's got a solid following and could bring some good PR and recruiting power to the program if he has some success.

Barstool will change. In Ohio, Barstool is not an approved NIL company. I believe it is due to them being owned by Penn National Gaming.

Interesting. I've seen several Ohio State football players get announced as Barstool athletes.

[pdt1081]

Showing 28 total. 6 freshman skaters, 3 transfers, and 2 freshman goaltenders. May not be 100% finalized, but there should be no problem putting a competitive team on the ice every single game.

https://bgsufalcons.com/sports/mens-ice ... er/2021-22

[jpfalcon09]

Showing 28 total. 6 freshman skaters, 3 transfers, and 2 freshman goaltenders. May not be 100% finalized, but there should be no problem putting a competitive team on the ice every single game.

https://bgsufalcons.com/sports/mens-ice ... er/2021-22

They've got Chicoine listed as a forward, whoops. I guess this means Blake and the Emersons will be 2022-23 enrollees.

My takeaway is there's enough talent up front to score. Forward depth will not be an issue, which is good considering the talent that moved on. Should be a strength for the team.

The defense is thin on experience. Wozney and Parker are true freshmen, although Parker is supposed to be legit. Babiak I don't think has ever seen game action. Malmstrom only has one year of college hockey under his belt. The rest have been regulars, and Chicoine obviously has seen plenty of games. Moving the puck up the ice might be a concern.

Better not hope Rose gets hurt.