2022-2023 Season

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

CCHA Board of Directors voted unanimously on the add but that doesn't mean much when you have a bunch of university presidents doing the "united front!" thing.

https://ccha.com/sports/2021/5/16/mhock ... 11408.aspx?

[pdt1081]

CCHA Board of Directors voted unanimously on the add but that doesn't mean much when you have a bunch of university presidents doing the "united front!" thing.

https://ccha.com/sports/2021/5/16/mhock ... 11408.aspx?

Just because the official vote was unanimous, doesn't mean the discussion was. I'm certain it's not going to receive a warm welcome from fans.

Too bad Huntsville doesn't have their s**t together. Would be a better trip to offset that one. Also, with the CCHA at 9, you'd think they'd be on the ice officially tomorrow, and working on an independent schedule for next season. 9 won't be fine for long.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I created a poll to see how people are taking the announcement. The poll is anonymous. I'll also post on USCHO.

Augustana Poll

[Schadenfreude]

I'm okay with the addition. While this is a start up, the rumblings have been that this is well financed.

It would be nice if Augustana was closer to Bowling Green, but there do not seem to be many options close to us.

[jpfalcon09]

It's official, Augustana is in. I'm less than thrilled. Another tiny, unknown, DIII-like startup with no history whatsoever that won't move the needle one bit at the Slate. Why couldn't we give them a few years as an independent to let them prove themselves?

Edit: Wouldn't surprise me to learn membership was already a given when they announced their program/arena.

Money talks. CCHA feels comfortable adding a program who has the funds needed to support it. Big reason why Huntsville and the like won't get an invite, too much uncertainty. If Lindenwood proves they're able to compete I can see them rounding out to an even ten.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I posted the poll results on USCHO. I doubt this group will be surprised by the results.

https://fanforum.uscho.com/forum/colleg ... ost3738648

[jpfalcon09]

CCHA Board of Directors voted unanimously on the add but that doesn't mean much when you have a bunch of university presidents doing the "united front!" thing.

https://ccha.com/sports/2021/5/16/mhock ... 11408.aspx?

Just because the official vote was unanimous, doesn't mean the discussion was. I'm certain it's not going to receive a warm welcome from fans.

Too bad Huntsville doesn't have their s**t together. Would be a better trip to offset that one. Also, with the CCHA at 9, you'd think they'd be on the ice officially tomorrow, and working on an independent schedule for next season. 9 won't be fine for long.

I hope Lucia has a long-term plan for the conference. This group jettisoned three programs that were more established but experiencing difficult financial issues at the same time. To turn around and add two essentially unknown entities at the D1 level and effectively water down the league again for at least a few years doesn't really make much sense. Perhaps Lucia foresees there being another round of conference realignment and the CCHA being able to poach the likes of Miami, maybe there's a threat of Mankato leaving for the likes of the NCHC, or it's simply a calculated risk at hoping St. Thomas and Augustana turn out to be home run investments.

[Schadenfreude]

Perhaps Lucia foresees there being another round of conference realignment and the CCHA being able to poach the likes of Miami, maybe there's a threat of Mankato leaving for the likes of the NCHC, or it's simply a calculated risk at hoping St. Thomas and Augustana turn out to be home run investments.

I'm unsure Minnesota State would get that opportunity. The sense I get from a few fans is that some of the NCHC schools see them as inferior. (I could be way off here.) But perhaps that chance is out there, especially if the NCHC is also interested in Arizona State (which I do not assume).

The other ideas make some sense. This 10th spot is there for Miami's taking, and Miami has to know that. Perhaps that's why we wait for a year or two, giving them a chance. If not, then perhaps we go with Lindenwood to get to ten. (Unless Arizona State wants in, but I could imagine the Big Ten inviting them to affiliate.)

[pdt1081]

I'm unsure Minnesota State would get that opportunity. The sense I get from a few fans is that some of the NCHC schools see them as inferior. (I could be way off here.) But perhaps that chance is out there, especially if the NCHC is also interested in Arizona State (which I do not assume).

The other ideas make some sense. This 10th spot is there for Miami's taking, and Miami has to know that. Perhaps that's why we wait for a year or two, giving them a chance. If not, then perhaps we go with Lindenwood to get to ten. (Unless Arizona State wants in, but I could imagine the Big Ten inviting them to affiliate.)

Mankato was basically accepted for membership into the NCHC, pending their persuasion of getting BGSU to join them. They haven't officially tried since.

[Schadenfreude]

Mankato was basically accepted for membership into the NCHC, pending their persuasion of getting BGSU to join them. They haven't officially tried since.

And the view here is that Bowling Green said no, right?

I do understand why we wouldn't want to be in that league. It's a lot of travel, and as strong as that league is, most of the brands in that league aren't necessarily going to move the needle for our fans the way the old CCHA lineup used to.

(Miami seems to be finding this out.)

[mbenecke]

Mankato was basically accepted for membership into the NCHC, pending their persuasion of getting BGSU to join them. They haven't officially tried since.

And the view here is that Bowling Green said no, right?

I do understand why we wouldn't want to be in that league. It's a lot of travel, and as strong as that league is, most of the brands in that league aren't necessarily going to move the needle for our fans the way the old CCHA lineup used to.

(Miami seems to be finding this out.)

Thinking about teams like Duluth and North Dakota coming to the Slate is wild. Like, I can't even really imagine that.

We also would definitely be one of the two worst programs in that conference. Especially considering where we were when realignment started happening.

[pdt1081]

Mankato was basically accepted for membership into the NCHC, pending their persuasion of getting BGSU to join them. They haven't officially tried since.

And the view here is that Bowling Green said no, right?

I do understand why we wouldn't want to be in that league. It's a lot of travel, and as strong as that league is, most of the brands in that league aren't necessarily going to move the needle for our fans the way the old CCHA lineup used to.

(Miami seems to be finding this out.)

Yes, BG said no. Miami is also facing over $2 million in exit fees. And they are finding out quickly they don't have many friends.

NCHC would take Mankato in a heartbeat right now, if they could bring the right team with them. Mankato has been to the Frozen Four the last two seasons. There's no reason for them to make the move.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Mankato was basically accepted for membership into the NCHC, pending their persuasion of getting BGSU to join them. They haven't officially tried since.

And the view here is that Bowling Green said no, right?

I do understand why we wouldn't want to be in that league. It's a lot of travel, and as strong as that league is, most of the brands in that league aren't necessarily going to move the needle for our fans the way the old CCHA lineup used to.

(Miami seems to be finding this out.)

Moose announced at a Falcon Club event I attended that a) they approached us and b) we said no. And it hindsight I think it was the right decision. Look how F'd Miami State is. There but for the grace of God...

[Tricky_Falcon]

Huh, I always thought it was we weren't invited and that Berge and crew were upset Miami left us behind.

[jpfalcon09]

Mankato was basically accepted for membership into the NCHC, pending their persuasion of getting BGSU to join them. They haven't officially tried since.

And the view here is that Bowling Green said no, right?

I do understand why we wouldn't want to be in that league. It's a lot of travel, and as strong as that league is, most of the brands in that league aren't necessarily going to move the needle for our fans the way the old CCHA lineup used to.

(Miami seems to be finding this out.)

Yes, BG said no. Miami is also facing over $2 million in exit fees. And they are finding out quickly they don't have many friends.

NCHC would take Mankato in a heartbeat right now, if they could bring the right team with them. Mankato has been to the Frozen Four the last two seasons. There's no reason for them to make the move.

Minnesota State has turned into a perennial top-10 program, any conference would take them. They have the track record, the coach, and fertile recruiting grounds. Seems they enjoy being the biggest fish in the little pond, and they have the ability to schedule non-conference games against top level competition. It's an easy win-win for them. The CCHA is fortunate to have them to increase national visibility to the league.