CCHA Name Returns in 2021

[mbenecke]

Wasn't sure where to put this, but with the CCHA being the future, here's some more future news:

In 2025, BGSU will host an NCAA tournament regional up in Toledo at the Huntington Center. It'll be the first time we've hosted since 2013.

If we make the tournament that year, we'll be right up the road in Toledo - that place would be PACKED with orange and brown!

[Schadenfreude]

That's good news about hosting NCAA games in Toledo. Between Bowling Green and some of the other hockey programs in this region, I would think there is a good chance of putting some butts in seats.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

This is exciting news. We did not fare too well hosting in 2013; hopefully we figure out how to do better though the driver is having the right mix of teams. Loading up the midwest regional with a bunch of HE/ECAC teams doesn't bode well. Ideal would be from a pool of BG, OSU/UM/MSU, Western Michigan. I'm leaving Miami State out of the mix.

If my time gazintas are accurate, there are currently no skaters on the team who will have eligibility for the 2024-25 season (I'm not taking Covid into account) so we're looking at completely turning the roster by then. Hopefully next year's recruiting class is a good one!

[Critical Thinker]

Interestingly, it'll be the first regional in the Midwest since 2017 when it was in Cincinnati. Arenas struggle to make money off of these weekends to the point where no one around here has even bothered to apply. I wonder what made this desirable again.

Fascinatingly, a 2024 regional is scheduled to be in a St. Louis suburb hosted by Lindenwood. Not sure what they're thinking.

[TommyG]

Hockey needs to drop the regional format and play best 2 of 3 at home rinks for 2 rounds. Makes way more sense than playing in front of nobody at a neutral site. Keep frozen four as is and run a profitable tournament.

[threestooges]

Hockey needs to drop the regional format and play best 2 of 3 at home rinks for 2 rounds. Makes way more sense than playing in front of nobody at a neutral site. Keep frozen four as is and run a profitable tournament.

I agree. You could also have the top 4 seeds each host a 4-team regional. Either way, having the first two rounds at a home site definitely increases the chances for a well-attended event.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Hockey needs to drop the regional format and play best 2 of 3 at home rinks for 2 rounds. Makes way more sense than playing in front of nobody at a neutral site. Keep frozen four as is and run a profitable tournament.

I agree. You could also have the top 4 seeds each host a 4-team regional. Either way, having the first two rounds at a home site definitely increases the chances for a well-attended event.

Link to last year's discussion on USCHO over "The Absurdity of the Current Regional System."

https://fanforum.uscho.com/forum/colleg ... -discussed" target="_blank

[Schadenfreude]

I see Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D., is launching a Division I hockey program, and that it seems to have the attention of the CCHA.

https://twitter.com/CCHAHockey/status/1 ... 7110256640

It's not difficult to imagine the CCHA adding Augustana just based on the geography. It isn't that far from the Minnesota schools. But I would think the conference would also want another school in the East (to keep the number of schools at an even number), and I can't think of any candidates (aside from the MAC schools we all know about and have discussed for years).

[BG84]

It would be nice to not expand the geographic footprint, given that BG is an outlier.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Three schools face road trips greater than 12 hours to get to Augustana and two more are roughly 10 hours:
o BG: 12:30
o FSU: 12:30*
o LSSU: 12:15
o NMU: 10:15
o Tech: 9:45
o BSU: 5:45
o STU: 4:00
o MNSU: 2:30

Five out of 8 schools would be facing a 10 hour+ bus ride. I don't think we're the only outlier. And what do they bring to the table with regards to revenue? I honestly don't know if their fans are like NoDak fans, but Lucia better have his calculator out so we don't end up having another mouth to feed. The CCHA isn't like HE, B1G, or the Nachos when it comes to cashola.

*Lake Michigan kills Ferris' travel to the MN schools. It takes them about as long to get to Chicago as it does for us.

[pdt1081]

Three schools face road trips greater than 12 hours to get to Augustana and two more are roughly 10 hours:
o BG: 12:30
o FSU: 12:30*
o LSSU: 12:15
o NMU: 10:15
o Tech: 9:45
o BSU: 5:45
o STU: 4:00
o MNSU: 2:30

Five out of 8 schools would be facing a 10 hour+ bus ride. I don't think we're the only outlier. And what do they bring to the table with regards to revenue? I honestly don't know if their fans are like NoDak fans, but Lucia better have his calculator out so we don't end up having another mouth to feed. The CCHA isn't like HE, B1G, or the Nachos when it comes to cashola.

*Lake Michigan kills Ferris' travel to the MN schools. It takes them about as long to get to Chicago as it does for us.

Everybody outside the W/CCHA seems to think it's on the CCHA schools to step in and prop up these new/struggling schools. Those same people then turn around and comment "such a weak conference." If it's for the "good" of college hockey, the NCHC can step up and expand. I'm sure Colorado College and Miami would like some equal competition.

[jpfalcon09]

I'd be shocked if the CCHA has any interest in picking them up. Really don't fit the core geographical footprint of the conference. My guess is you'll see more realignment, or the formation of a new league with the number of independents that are looking for homes. CCHA should only be willing to entertain the idea of Miami or WMU joining.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I'd be shocked if the CCHA has any interest in picking them up. Really don't fit the core geographical footprint of the conference. My guess is you'll see more realignment, or the formation of a new league with the number of independents that are looking for homes. CCHA should only be willing to entertain the idea of Miami or WMU joining.

In addition to Western and/or Miami State I'd entertain schools in the Twin Cities, Chicagoland, or Metro Detroit areas, if there are any besides Oakland.

St. Louis (Lindenwood) is also a non-starter for me.