Offseason Thread

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

On Tech's USCHO board I mentioned Winterfest might be an interesting consideration.

[mbenecke]

According to BGSUHockey.com, Austen Swankler, a scoring center with a lefty shot, has committed to playing hockey at BG.

He had 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 59 games in the OHL in 2019-2020, the last season he played due to COVID-19.

Seems like a solid addition.

[pdt1081]

According to BGSUHockey.com, Austin Swankler, a scoring center with a lefty shot, has committed to playing hockey at BG.

He had 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 59 games in the OHL in 2019-2020, the last season he played due to COVID-19.

Seems like a solid addition.

Isn't the OHL considered Major Junior? As in not NCAA eligible.

[BGDrew]

According to BGSUHockey.com, Austin Swankler, a scoring center with a lefty shot, has committed to playing hockey at BG.

He had 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 59 games in the OHL in 2019-2020, the last season he played due to COVID-19.

Seems like a solid addition.

Isn't the OHL considered Major Junior? As in not NCAA eligible.

He played a full season with them and then sat out a season because the OHL shut down due to Covid. He’s been cleared to play immediately after not playing last year.

[pdt1081]

According to BGSUHockey.com, Austin Swankler, a scoring center with a lefty shot, has committed to playing hockey at BG.

He had 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 59 games in the OHL in 2019-2020, the last season he played due to COVID-19.

Seems like a solid addition.

Isn't the OHL considered Major Junior? As in not NCAA eligible.

He played a full season with them and then sat out a season because the OHL shut down due to Covid. He’s been cleared to play immediately after not playing last year.

Gotcha. I know in the past we've had guys that played a couple games, and had to sit out the same number of games as they had played. Wasn't sure how that would work since he had played an entire season.

[jpfalcon09]

That's a really nice addition and will obviously help replace some of the offense lost.

My other question is if a scholarship freed up somewhere to allow Austen to join the program.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

From the articles I've found he was just outside of NHL draft considerations and at one time was an RPI and Michigan commit.

https://triblive.com/sports/north-hunti ... nhl-draft/
https://archive.triblive.com/sports/pen ... ft-stream/
https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/1028896
https://triblive.com/sports/north-hunti ... ie-otters/

[jpfalcon09]

BTW, the athletic department held a bracket-style tournament for a bobblehead this year. Brian Holzinger wound up the eventual champion, so something to potentially looking forward to this year.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Panthers did not re-sign Bednard and Rauhauser who are now UFAs. I guess they're hanging on to Spencer Knight.

[BillyLP]

Panthers did not re-sign Bednard and Rauhauser who are now UFAs. I guess they're hanging on to Spencer Knight.

Surprised Rauhauser hasn't spent time in the NHL yet. I thought he had the tools and skills to be a contributor at that level pretty quickly.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Panthers did not re-sign Bednard and Rauhauser who are now UFAs. I guess they're hanging on to Spencer Knight.

Surprised Rauhauser hasn't spent time in the NHL yet. I thought he had the tools and skills to be a contributor at that level pretty quickly.

Scouting reports I've read say his first step is a little slow but he makes up for it with his long reach and active stick. But that kind of slowness becomes more of an issue the higher up you get. He and Bednard had a couple of games at the AHL level but with Charlotte (FLA's AHL team) shut down for the year there wasn't much of an opportunity for them to advance. FL has picked up a couple of goaltenders besides Knight so even though Bednard had a good run with the Swamp Rabbits (ECHL) there likely wasn't room for him. They'll catch on somewhere, the question is can they get another opportunity.

[jpfalcon09]

Panthers did not re-sign Bednard and Rauhauser who are now UFAs. I guess they're hanging on to Spencer Knight.

Surprised Rauhauser hasn't spent time in the NHL yet. I thought he had the tools and skills to be a contributor at that level pretty quickly.

Scouting reports I've read say his first step is a little slow but he makes up for it with his long reach and active stick. But that kind of slowness becomes more of an issue the higher up you get. He and Bednard had a couple of games at the AHL level but with Charlotte (FLA's AHL team) shut down for the year there wasn't much of an opportunity for them to advance. FL has picked up a couple of goaltenders besides Knight so even though Bednard had a good run with the Swamp Rabbits (ECHL) there likely wasn't room for him. They'll catch on somewhere, the question is can they get another opportunity.

ECHL bound most likely.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

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

[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.

[nodak651]

Given the recent 3-year history of the nWCHA, the nCCHA should consistently be a 2-bid league especially when factoring out the UA* teams. And since the nCCHA won't ever be a consistent 3-bid league, I don't see the value in adding a bunch of startup teams. Won't help in the tournament calculation and they don't bring anything to the table with respect to fanba$e.

I don't give a crap about nurturing new programs. If some school wants to start a new D1 program and they aren't in metro Detroit, Chicagoland, or the Twin Cities, let them create their own conference. I also don't give a crap about growth for the sake of growth or creating pods for some split sometime in the future. Right now it's "show me the money." NBCSN will not be outbidding FloSports for the broadcast rights to Augustana at Ferris St. Hell, they don't want the broadcast rights to BG at Mankato. What does Lindenwood bring to the table other than another 13 hour bus ride?

And I don't think it's right to say we hate our current conference situation. We hated the last one but that's been fixed. Remember that we turned the Nachos down once and nothing has happened that would change our minds on that. We're good right here. Though as Shad said, reuniting the MAC schools outside the Nachos would be the best case scenario for us. But BG makes plans assuming W and Miami State aren't ever leaving.

Lastly, nCCHA travel costs are way less than Nacho travel costs which is one of the main reasons why we all formed the league. Just ask Miami State who, according to their message boards and Adam Wodon, is struggling with travel costs. Non merci.

The Nachos (sans Miami State) have all the money, let them go the pod route and incubate new programs.

Conclusion: I understand the points you're making and appreciate the outside the box thinking, but from my perspective it's all a non-starter.

Miami only spent 250k on hockey travel in fiscal 2019 https://miamioh.edu/_files/documents/at ... a-2019.pdf

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