It's official: Big 10 to form a league

[Flipper]

Detroit Free Press just texted me...Big 10 hockey in 2013-2014. Will strive to work non conference scheduling with CCHA

[1987alum]

No positive spin on this, IMO.

[jpfalcon09]

Nope. CCHA has two years to find some other schools to fill the void. IMO, the league without the Big 10 schools just isn't going to survive. Perhaps they can look to recruit some smaller programs or some ECAC teams who wouldn't mind the move.

BG
Miami
WMU
Ferris
LSSU
NMU
ND(?)
Alaska

That doesn't necessarily strike fear into many people...but perhaps it'll help BG compete more.

[Flipper]

The WCHA has taken a hit with Minnesota and Wisconsin leaving. Are we going to have "major" and "mid major" hockey leagues now?

[Redwingtom]

I think this will be an advantage to us in the long run.

Time will tell...

Although I would really like to see the CCHA kick out the teams now...LOL...like MSU-Crony Anastos would have the nads

[Tech83]

In related news, the Big 10 announced their new hockey league will be divided into two divisions - Angry Rodents and Cellar Dwellers.

The "Big Ten" put one team in the NCAA tourney this year.... and that was the at-large to the weasels. Hopefully the college hockey powers to be - who do the tourney seeding - will only take one Big Ten team from this point forward. THAT would be hilarious and justice served.

[gmartin]

ND will leave in two years. Forming a Big 10 hockey league will make Notre Dame join the Big 10. They didn't want to join in football until something was done in hockey. Now that there is a Big 10 hockey league look for Notre Dame to join and leave the Big East in basketball and be a Big 10 member in every sport. Also look for Boston College to now leave the ACC and join the Big 10 as well to give the league 14 teams in football and basketball and 8 teams for hockey. I posted this last year and you all laughed at me but I know several members of the marketing department at PSU and this is what I was told and the first thing was the creation of the Big 10 hockey conference.

You also see some more teams switch conferences again in about two years. The Big XII will once again be shredded.

[musicman2343]

Hopefully the CCHA will accept Alabama-Huntsville into the conference. They are a good program. Didn't they try to join once before and the CCHA didn't accept?

[unfalconbelievable]

Hopefully the CCHA will accept Alabama-Huntsville into the conference. They are a good program. Didn't they try to join once before and the CCHA didn't accept?
Hopefully the CCHA will accept Alabama-Huntsville into the conference. They are a good program. Didn't they try to join once before and the CCHA didn't accept?

2010-11 Alabama Huntsville 4 - 26-2, is not a good program.

Yes, they have wanted in the CCHA and have been voted down twice. CCHA may come begging for them now........league may not be so attractive and they may turn the CCHA down, which would be a sad state of affairs.

Another school to consider Michigan Tech..........?

[sbkbghockey]

I think Huntsville has potential, esp if they get into a conference that will help their recruiting. the CCHA and WCHA will survive, with the American Development Model, continuing growth of the USHL, NAHL, and Jr. hockey, the talent pool for hockey is larger than the schools playing hockey. It's one of the many things that make hockey different from football and basketball. I think the CCHA will look to creating regional rivalries, maybe add Big East or SEC school and there's a few other schools that could add hockey. In the current landscape the conferences basically have “no vacancy.” I think the CCHA was waiting to see if Penn State would join or the Big 10 develop before adding UAH. Now that the Big 10 will sponsor hockey I think it is inevitable that the Chargers will be a member. The Big 10 sponsoring hockey and realignment could open the doors for other new programs and hopefully more expansion in the long run.

[rally]

I think we all saw this coming. I remember formation of the CCHA with four teams back in '71. This too will shake out. If we can build the BG program back, Miami stays on it's game and Western continues to improve the CCHA will be fine. There will be lots of scheduling with nearby UM, MSU and OSU, so we're not exactly saying good-bye. Actually, I see a lot of incentive to beat a "Big Ten" team (of which only one made this years field of 16).

[BGDrew]

Thinking aloud we should see UAH join along with possibly a few other schools that we either take from other conferences or that start up programs (Pitt is rumored to be starting a hockey program).

[BGFalconfromCincy]

Thinking aloud we should see UAH join along with possibly a few other schools that we either take from other conferences or that start up programs (Pitt is rumored to be starting a hockey program).

What other programs do you think the CCHA should target from other conferences?

[bgpuckster]

I say combine the WHCA and the CCHA into two divisions and then shut out the Big Ten when it comes to scheduling. Let them play Holy Cross or other East Coast teams. Who here really thinks the Big Ten network is going to treat hockey better than football or basketball. They didn't even show the Michigan/BG playoffs on tape delay, at least I couldn't find it if they did. A 6 team league made up of four teams that didn't make it it to the NCAA playoffs and one that will be a brand new program. In fact, the MAC has more teams than the Big Ten in the NCAA hockey playoffs. Not very enticing if I'm a recruit.

[bgpuckster]

Here were the schedules for CCHA games carried on TV, including the Big Ten Network (BTN) for this past season. Far more carried by other networks than the Big Ten Channel.

CCHA TV schedule for hockey: http://www.ccha.com/schedules/tv_schedule.aspx