Arizona State?

[pdt1081]

We're comparing a trip to AZ with a trip to AK? Wow...do you guys own maps?

We're comparing adding another plane trip to a schedule that already involves making two plane trips. Do you own a schedule?

[Flipper]

They use jets now...not prop driven planes. You can get to AZ via Southwest airlines quicker than you can get to LSSU by bus...and you might be able to convince some $$$ alums to pony up the Benjamins to tag along. I've been to Tempe/Scottsdale/Phoenix. It's a much nicer place to be than Sault St Marie in January.

Why not look in a different direction? The program has some forward momentum in the WCHA..,why some of you want to chuck that to reanimate the corpse of the CCHA is a mystery to me.

[Lord_Byron]

They use jets now...not prop driven planes. You can get to AZ via Southwest airlines quicker than you can get to LSSU by bus...and you might be able to convince some $$$ alums to pony up the Benjamins to tag along. I've been to Tempe/Scottsdale/Phoenix. It's a much nicer place to be than Sault St Marie in January.

Why not look in a different direction? The program has some forward momentum in the WCHA..,why some of you want to chuck that to reanimate the corpse of the CCHA is a mystery to me.

Non-stop flights from Detroit to Phoenix take 4 1/2 hours. Travel for this game would not be a hardship, and I agree on your take -- Being able to spend a couple of days in the winter without layering up is the nuts.

NHL teams used to love the trip to LA when it was the only non-Northern/Canadian city.

[BGFan]

It isn't the trip in and of itself that is the problem. It's the cost. Take into consideration that the trips to Alaska cost the school over $30,000.00 per trip even with the Alaska school's compensation and you will quickly figure out why this is an issue. Adding another, similar length and priced trip won't go over well.

A new CCHA is more of a possibility than many of you may think. We may end up taking Alabama-Huntsville in the process (if it happens) but I can live with that since it's still a bus trip.

[sbkbghockey]

Arizona State moving to NCAA DI Hockey may lead to more drastic changes than Penn State. The addition of Penn State to NCAA DI hockey hasn't proved to be as drastic as many originally thought. Other than the break-up of the CCHA and some other minor shifts. It might spark future growth in Big10 Hockey but hasn't drastically upset the balance.

1) Westward expansion of NCAA DI Hockey. Other schools in the western US that might have had an interest have been put off because there's been no competition west of the Rockies. Now ASU provides one. Look for possible expansion into California and the Northwest over the next 5-10 years.

2) In more traditional hockey areas, ADs, such as UB's, that previously had hockey on the backburner might look harder at the option - "IF Arizona State can, why can't we..." Some schools that are logical fits are UB, Central Mich, Ohio, Kent State, Rhode Island, Columbia, Penn, Stony Brook. If some or even just a few decided to proceed, the further shakeup in college hockey could be big.

2A) ASU's decision could also revive the CCHA. Some NCHC programs like Miami and Western Michigan have already had gripes about increased travel, the new league hasn't given them much added national exposure either after Notre Dame switched to Hockey East. A CCHA 2.0 league centered in the great lakes region would provide for any further expansion with its own spots to fill plus spots in Atlantic Hockey from some members such as RMU and Hurst switching over.

The what-ifs are fun to think about and ASU adding NCAA Hockey may provide to be a big turning point in college hockey.

[edjwolfe]

if the nchc decides to take ASU they will be definetly be motivated to add a 10th team, that team would be BGSU. Tradition and rivals to Miami and Western. That also would squash the CCHA revival, and why would we not go!!!! BG has nicely positioned themselves to a nice exit to the WCHA. We are the only true D1 school in the conference and own the rights to the former CCHA.

[pdt1081]

if the nchc decides to take ASU they will be definetly be motivated to add a 10th team, that team would be BGSU. Tradition and rivals to Miami and Western. That also would squash the CCHA revival, and why would we not go!!!! BG has nicely positioned themselves to a nice exit to the WCHA. We are the only true D1 school in the conference and own the rights to the former CCHA.

Yeah, those two unsubsidized plane trips to Colorado look real inviting. Bus trips to friggin Omaha and Sioux Falls sound like a hell of a time also. With Western and Miami on the future non-conference schedule, there is nothing to gain by jumping ship to join the NCHC. Actually, all it would gain BG is a quickly depleting travel budget.

[falconfan1999]

The WCHA seems to fit BG nicely, except for the travel. What if there were a few teams added to the wcha to form divisions? Cut down on trips plus schedule games against geographically closer conference foes? How much would hosting a tournament bring in for BG? By that I mean a 4-8 team tournament possibly during December.

[pdt1081]

The WCHA seems to fit BG nicely, except for the travel. What if there were a few teams added to the wcha to form divisions? Cut down on trips plus schedule games against geographically closer conference foes? How much would hosting a tournament bring in for BG? By that I mean a 4-8 team tournament possibly during December.

The problem with divisions within a league is each league only gets one autobid to the NCAA tournament. For example, if the WCHA were able to expand to 16 teams (two 8 team divisions), they'd run the risk of only getting one team into the national tournament. Now, split those divisions into two separate eight team leagues and you're guaranteed a minimum two teams in the tourney by virtue of autobids.

There are very few tournaments throughout the year that are well attended. Just look at attendance when the students aren't at school. We're actually better off going on the road during the holiday break than having home games.

[Schadenfreude]

if the nchc decides to take ASU they will be definetly be motivated to add a 10th team, that team would be BGSU. Tradition and rivals to Miami and Western. That also would squash the CCHA revival, and why would we not go!!!! BG has nicely positioned themselves to a nice exit to the WCHA. We are the only true D1 school in the conference and own the rights to the former CCHA.

Yeah, those two unsubsidized plane trips to Colorado look real inviting. Bus trips to friggin Omaha and Sioux Falls sound like a hell of a time also. With Western and Miami on the future non-conference schedule, there is nothing to gain by jumping ship to join the NCHC. Actually, all it would gain BG is a quickly depleting travel budget.

I can't help but wonder if Miami and Western Michigan are wondering if they made a mistake joining that league.

If we can reboot a version of the CCHA, that makes a lot of sense to me.

[apollo]

ASU will likely change some things, but I really don't think it is going to effect us much. I could see some form of the CCHA coming back, but I don't think we'd want to compete in the NCHC. More travel, tougher opponents, and spending more money.
ASU certainly isn't going to spark some DI hockey Revolution of adding teams. I would bet that ASU will regret this decision. The rest of the PAC 12 isn't jumping on board and it is an uphill battle trying to start a program. Whoever mentioned other MAC schools starting programs is way off as well. Too much money.

[BGFan]

if the nchc decides to take ASU they will be definetly be motivated to add a 10th team, that team would be BGSU. Tradition and rivals to Miami and Western. That also would squash the CCHA revival, and why would we not go!!!! BG has nicely positioned themselves to a nice exit to the WCHA. We are the only true D1 school in the conference and own the rights to the former CCHA.

Yeah, those two unsubsidized plane trips to Colorado look real inviting. Bus trips to friggin Omaha and Sioux Falls sound like a hell of a time also. With Western and Miami on the future non-conference schedule, there is nothing to gain by jumping ship to join the NCHC. Actually, all it would gain BG is a quickly depleting travel budget.

I can't help but wonder if Miami and Western Michigan are wondering if they made a mistake joining that league.

If we can reboot a version of the CCHA, that makes a lot of sense to me.

Yes they are wondering. Rumor has it that Miami's president already mentioned that mistake to our president (this is more that just a rumor, btw, it's fact).

A new CCHA with BG, Miami, WMU, and Ferris as a base would be ideal and strong enough, perhaps, to lure Notre Dame into joining. Filling in the rest of the group would be easy. Robert Morris, Niagara, possibly NMU and LSSU. The list goes on. Low travel budget and great competition. What more could you ask for?

[Flipper]

Pie...possibly doughnuts in lieu of pie.

[Lord_Byron]

Pie...possibly doughnuts in lieu of pie.

Or a doughnut pie:

[Flipper]

Doughnut pie? we are truly living in a golden age....