Penn State D1 Hockey

[NWLB]

I traditionally have thought the Big Ten schools wouldn't want their own, when they could separately dominate two conferences. I still don't think Penn State leads automatically to a Big Ten hockey league. Surely at the least, it can not be strictly Big Ten schools. It does seem certain PSU will go to D1 though, based on those news articles. And if they do, I would think CCHA would do well to have them. If a Big Ten conference did emerge for hockey, I would hope BGSU, Miami, and WMU become part of it.

[rood]

If a Big Ten conference did emerge for hockey, I would hope BGSU, Miami, and WMU become part of it.

I think Miami, Denver, and North Dakota would be more likely candidates but I wouldn't want to see it happen either way.

[sbkbghockey]

If a Big Ten conference did emerge for hockey, I would hope BGSU, Miami, and WMU become part of it.

I think Miami, Denver, and North Dakota would be more likely candidates but I wouldn't want to see it happen either way.

there could be a more simple switch, Wisconsin and Minnesota join the CCHA. That would put all of the Big 10 schools in the same conference while not totally destroying the current structure. I dont think the CCHA and Penn State schools will enjoy traveling all the way out to Denver (good hockey school but not a big name).

Wis and Mn to the CCHA and the WCHA would pick up Northern Mich and Lake St.

[BGDrew]

These rumors seem to make last year's UAH vote a little more clear...

[pdt1081]

These rumors seem to make last year's UAH vote a little more clear...

These rumors have been around for years...

[BGFalconfromCincy]

I traditionally have thought the Big Ten schools wouldn't want their own, when they could separately dominate two conferences

Through reading all these posts and articles about Penn State/a Big Ten hockey conference, thats the one constant I kept thinking about

[sbkbghockey]

I traditionally have thought the Big Ten schools wouldn't want their own, when they could separately dominate two conferences

Through reading all these posts and articles about Penn State/a Big Ten hockey conference, thats the one constant I kept thinking about

I agree, I don't think we'll see a Big Ten Hockey Conference. Although I've heard it is almost certain the Big 10 will award a championship trophy if one more Big 101112 school adds hockey (i.e Penn State)

[MACMAN]

a side note on this is that the USHL has expanded and is looking to expand more and in so doing as part of that structure "regionalizing" game play reducing travel cost, the NAHL is following the same model.
This means that while some in hockey circles say this watering down JR hockey, more say that as hockey has grown, there has been a shortage of slots for quality players. I for one feel that adding some 24 more D1 slots will be a good thing and provide yet another level for those who have earned it and may not other wise have a had direction to go, and it will create a some what more competitive recruiting arena as well. Which should stoke the fires for teams to improve facilities etc...

[rally]

I can't see Minnesota or Wisconsin coming to the CCHA. Too much WCHA macho and the rivalry with the Fighting Sioux (or whatever they are soon to be) and maybe Denver. I think one of the driving forces for a Big Ten Conference would be the Big Ten Network. They air an occasional hockey game between Big Ten teams, but a conference schedule would have much greater marketing appeal.

[Falconfreak90]

MACMAN, keep on dreaming...unrealistic expections all the way around. I'm a huge BG hockey fan, have been since the mid eighties, but we are in a league with too many good programs. You can't just keep firing coaches and expect the new guy to be the savior. I'll still go to games and support the team, but I'm not expecting CCHA titles. Miami is the exception, not the rule with mid major programs. They have an elite coach and a brand new rink, not a rink with new lights.

Your comment about "not expecting CCHA titles" would never cut it if you were a player on Bergeron's team. I expect CCHA titles and sooner rather than later!!

GO FALCON HOCKEY!!!

Well said, FF! EXPECT titles...

[rally]

And if they do, I would think CCHA would do well to have them. If a Big Ten conference did emerge for hockey, I would hope BGSU, Miami, and WMU become part of it.

Interesting thought Drew. BG in a "Big Ten" conference would raise the perception of the program for the casual followers. I don't expect such a creature however.

And as far as winning titles, I have no reason not to expect titles. They were there in the past, and will be again in the future. Hockey is perhaps the one sport where size really doesn't matter. Lake State has a cabinet full of national trophies. Hockey's a sport where a passionate program and it's followers can produce results. North Dakota and Miami aren't members of the ESU (Enormous State University) system, but have built a tradition and find ways to make things happen season after season.

[MACMAN]

Yea College hockey is not at all like college football, and the likely hood of it getting that exclusionary is unlikley at best. Just not enough teams to pigeon hole any school as "mid major" let alone as bottom feeder.
The likely hood of BGSU returning to its place as the Dominate CCHA team is very strong.
I will agree that coaching changes with great frequency dont help establish the stability needed to do so, but I see those seas as being calm for several years to come as we will have the funds to retain coaches. Remember it was just 2003 when landed in 3rd.

[Drago]

What I'm saying is you have to at least respect the process. What team in the CCHA are we most alike in terms of institutional makeup? Western Michigan, when is the last time Bowling Green or Western Michigan were relevant in title chases? Mid to late 90s. Ferris State, Lake Superior, Alaska, and Northern Michigan have hockey as their number one sport. Their resources go into hockey. When is the last time any of them won a title? Ferris 2004, six years ago. The national landscape is similar to this. There are not many mid majors in the country that succeed at hockey, while playing other Division I sports, specifically football. Miami is probably the only one. Just fact. The problem around here is that everyone gets mad when a team loses and they want the coach fired (in all sports). We hire a new coach, and everyone starts talking about winning titles and dominating this and that. If we do turn things around, it is going to take 10yrs minimum before we compete for a CCHA title. I know everyone wants to be positive and excited, so I don't expect you to agree with me. Just understand that the CCHA has a lot of very good programs and it takes more than just saying we are going to be "the dominant team in the CCHA"

[pdt1081]

What I'm saying is you have to at least respect the process. What team in the CCHA are we most alike in terms of institutional makeup? Western Michigan, when is the last time Bowling Green or Western Michigan were relevant in title chases? Mid to late 90s

Mid 90's. And even then, the administrators had long forgotten about the team. The past is the past. We will fight for championships again. Yes, it may take a few years to get there, but we will. If the players respond to Bergeron the way they responded to Williams, it definitely will be sooner rather than later.

[Falcon Fanatic]

If we do turn things around, it is going to take 10yrs minimum before we compete for a CCHA title. I know everyone wants to be positive and excited, so I don't expect you to agree with me. Just understand that the CCHA has a lot of very good programs and it takes more than just saying we are going to be "the dominant team in the CCHA"

It will NOT take 10 years before we compete for a CCHA title. If Bergeron (or ANY coach) thought it would take 10 years to compete for a league title (in ANY sport), he wouldn't have come here, nor would ANY coach go anywhere with that kind of future to look forward to. If you haven't meet Bergeron, then I might understand your line of thinking (ok, I really don't!), but once you meet him, sit and talk with him, you will know that he is unbelievably passionate and very driven about getting this program to the top. His passion and drive also comes through in his recruiting. I repeat: IT WILL NOT TAKE 10 YEARS BEFORE WE COMPETE FOR THE CCHA TITLE!!!