More hockey realignment?

[TruDomGopher]

BTW after I heard the rumor Iowa was looking to add hockey, I did some digging around. Think this is related:

http://www.press-citizen.com/story/.../coralville-arena-training-facility/70178574/

 

[B1Gtymer]

my dream big ten hockey scenario:

Add North Dakota as an affiliate,
Add Connecticut as a full member,
Convince Illinois and Rutgers to go D1.

Each team plays a series against every other team, and an additional series against two rivals, ensuring a home and home against two main rivals.

North Dakota - Minnesota, Wisconsin
Minnesota - North Dakota, Wisconsin
Wisconsin - Minnesota, North Dakota
Illinois - Michigan State, Ohio State
Michigan State - Illinois, Michigan
Michigan - Michigan State, Ohio State
Ohio State - Illinois, Michigan
Penn State - Connecticut, Rutgers
Rutgers - Connecticut, Penn State
Connecticut - Penn State, Rutgers

 

[cIaver2010]

Travel is not a big issue for ND. Attendance at ND hockey games is not a problem.

http://www.uscho.com/stats/attendance/division-i-men/2014-2015/

Compton holds 5,000. Last season, ND averaged 4,479 or 89.2 % of capacity.

Hockey East is the best hockey conference out there and allows ND to have its own hockey TV deal plus participate in the league TV deal.

Why leave? It makes no sense to think that ND is going elsewhere.

as a hockey east fan, please leave

then HE can fold UMass and we get back to 10 teams

 

[DarthGrumpy]

my dream big ten hockey scenario:

Add North Dakota as an affiliate,
Add Connecticut as a full member,
Convince Illinois and Rutgers to go D1.

One correction, Northwestern is likely to add hockey before Illinois as the state of Illinois has a massive budget issue on its hands .

 

[B1Gtymer]

One correction, Northwestern is likely to add hockey before Illinois as the state of Illinois has a massive budget issue on its hands .

I disagree. Although Northwestern is in a huge hockey city with lots of wealth, they have trouble supporting their existing sports and facilities. Their current club hockey is ACHA DII vs. Illinois' DI club team which actually is quite successful and has decent fan support. (Rutgers and Indiana also have DI club teams). There have also been rumors of the Jimmy John's founder helping finance a move to DI, similar to how PSU and ASU made the jumps. Illinois had DI Varsity hockey previously but dropped at an unfortunate time prior to the sport's huge increase in popularity during the past decade. There is history, support, and rumored financial contributors there.

Here is an article about Northwestern's hockey potential:
http://www.insidenu.com/2011/3/22/2066747/northwestern-varsity-ice-hockey

Links regarding Illinois and Jimmy John's:
http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?p=501400

http://frankthetank.me/2015/03/18/m...-talk-with-arizona-state-and-new-tv-contract/

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I disagree. Although Northwestern is in a huge hockey city with lots of wealth, they have trouble supporting their existing sports and facilities. Their current club hockey is ACHA DII vs. Illinois' DI club team which actually is quite successful and has decent fan support. (Rutgers and Indiana also have DI club teams). There have also been rumors of the Jimmy John's founder helping finance a move to DI, similar to how PSU and ASU made the jumps. Illinois had DI Varsity hockey previously but dropped at an unfortunate time prior to the sport's huge increase in popularity during the past decade. There is history, support, and rumored financial contributors there.

Here is an article about Northwestern's hockey potential:
http://www.insidenu.com/2011/3/22/2066747/northwestern-varsity-ice-hockey

Links regarding Illinois and Jimmy John's:
http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?p=501400

http://frankthetank.me/2015/03/18/march-madness-big-ten-rundown-hockey-expansion-talk-with-arizona-state-and-new-tv-contract/

My feedback was based on finances only. If Illinois can find a PSU level benefactor for hockey, then by all means they can add it. Without such, I just do not see the state ponying up the money for a new sports program in light of everything going on in the state.

 

[Ldandy]

My feedback was based on finances only. If Illinois can find a PSU level benefactor for hockey, then by all means they can add it. Without such, I just do not see the state ponying up the money for a new sports program in light of everything going on in the state.

I agree that the next programs will come from schools who's athletic departments are financially strong. Iowa is a definite possibility IMO, and if not for Omaha, UNL would likely have already made the push for a team. RU's AD is a total quagmire. They don't seem to have any well heeled boosters willing to plunk down the capital necessary to get an enterprise like Hockey off the ground.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Whether or not the B1G adds other current members, adding North Dakota as an affiliate would be an absolute slam dunk. It's essentially adding Kentucky basketball to your conference.

 

[TruDomGopher]

Whether or not the B1G adds other current members, adding North Dakota as an affiliate would be an absolute slam dunk. It's essentially adding Kentucky basketball to your conference.

I'm curious how UND would respond to an invite--I think they'd pass but I don't know. It's relatively easy for the fan base to travel now, but the B1G is another level of travel for fans.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

I'm curious how UND would respond to an invite--I think they'd pass but I don't know. It's relatively easy for the fan base to travel now, but the B1G is another level of travel for fans.

They would accept before the call was made. Guaranteed. They hate the NCHC. A chance to play the Gophers again every year, are you kidding me? That alone would sell them. Not to mention existing rivalries with Wisconsin and Michigan? They're already traveling to Colorado twice, Ohio, Nebraska, and Michigan, it would end up being roughly the same amount of travel. Trade games against Western Michigan, Nebraska-Omaha, Minnesota-Duluth, and Miami of Ohio for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State? Sold.

Their fans are EVERYWHERE, so that would be a major plus for the B1G Network. I would put it at a higher than 50/50 shot that UND is an affiliate B1G Hockey member by 2020. Goes even higher if ASU decides to join the B1G.

 

[Gfunk]

As a fan of the former Big East it's easy to relate to your post yet it's hard to feel any sympathy, especially when you consider that the B1G was one of the primary catalysts of the demise outlined above.

Loud and clear, but the Big East does not have the WCHA's hardware . Yes I realize there's more competition in d1 basketball - but the WCHA will likely hold the record for most NCs, actual membership, for many more years - despite being a shell of its former self.

 

[Gfunk]

The six B1G hockey schools get $2 million each in BTN revenues each year from the TV rights to hockey games being broadcast on BTN. I don't think they are complaining about realignment.

http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2013/4/29/4283628/big-ten-hockey-payout-tv-contract

God, money doesn't buy championships as much as you think. BIG Hockey is awful right now because a school like OSU will take many years and massive culture change to do its part - the Bucks are most often the third best hockey program in Ohio. This aint football.

I prefer top notch competition and better, closer rivalries in hockey.

 

[B1GOSU]

With BTN, top hockey players will want to sign with a B1G team so their families can watch them play on TV. No other conference offers that much television exposure.

 

[bobbyinaz]

They would accept before the call was made. Guaranteed. They hate the NCHC. A chance to play the Gophers again every year, are you kidding me? That alone would sell them. Not to mention existing rivalries with Wisconsin and Michigan? They're already traveling to Colorado twice, Ohio, Nebraska, and Michigan, it would end up being roughly the same amount of travel. Trade games against Western Michigan, Nebraska-Omaha, Minnesota-Duluth, and Miami of Ohio for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State? Sold.

Their fans are EVERYWHERE, so that would be a major plus for the B1G Network. I would put it at a higher than 50/50 shot that UND is an affiliate B1G Hockey member by 2020. Goes even higher if ASU decides to join the B1G.

Plus $2MM+ per year from the BTN to a school like UND is a huge chunk of money to their Athletic Dept.

$2MM to OSU or Michigan is a drop in the bucket but UND would say yes before Delany got done asking the question

 

[dayooper]

God, money doesn't buy championships as much as you think. BIG Hockey is awful right now because a school like OSU will take many years and massive culture change to do its part - the Bucks are most often the third best hockey program in Ohio. This aint football.

I prefer top notch competition and better, closer rivalries in hockey.

Yup, but as a fan, it is very nice to be able to watch them on TV.

Big10 hockey needs a shot in the arm of talented programs. We saw what happens when teams have a down year, the product is poor. I'm afraid that Michigan will be down until Red Berenson retires. MSU has been down as of late and I have no clue what was Wisconsin's problem this year.

I would love to have an Eastern and Western division with several East coast powers. I know it's a pipe dream, but a conference that looked like this would be great:

East: UConn, BC, BU, Cornell, PSU, OSU
West: Michigan, MSU, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Miami Of Ohio/Denver

That would a fun conference to watch. I know it will never happen, but I can dream, can't I?

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Yup, but as a fan, it is very nice to be able to watch them on TV.

Big10 hockey needs a shot in the arm of talented programs. We saw what happens when teams have a down year, the product is poor. I'm afraid that Michigan will be down until Red Berenson retires. MSU has been down as of late and I have no clue what was Wisconsin's problem this year.

I would love to have an Eastern and Western division with several East coast powers. I know it's a pipe dream, but a conference that looked like this would be great:

East: UConn, BC, BU, Cornell, PSU, OSU
West: Michigan, MSU, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Miami Of Ohio/Denver

That would a fun conference to watch. I know it will never happen, but I can dream, can't I?

I mean, if that conference happened, it would be blatantly unfair to only give them only one autobid.

 

[Adios]

The state of North Dakota has quite a future. This country's future rides on domestic oil.

Denver over Miami and you would have such a spoiled conference.

 

[Kolumbo]

https://www.facebook.com/UConnMHOC?fref=nf

BROOKLYN (April 23, 2015) – Barclays Center will launch its BROOKLYN HOCKEY™ college hockey programming platform when the venue’s first-ever college hockey event faces off on Sunday, November 1.

This annual event, in partnership with Play By Play Sports, LLC , will feature an Atlantic Hockey league contest between The United States Military Academy (Army) and Bentley University. The second match-up features a Hockey East battle between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Connecticut. The doubleheader will showcase different teams each year.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

https://www.facebook.com/UConnMHOC?fref=nf

BROOKLYN (April 23, 2015) – Barclays Center will launch its BROOKLYN HOCKEY™ college hockey programming platform when the venue’s first-ever college hockey event faces off on Sunday, November 1.

This annual event, in partnership with Play By Play Sports, LLC , will feature an Atlantic Hockey league contest between The United States Military Academy (Army) and Bentley University. The second match-up features a Hockey East battle between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Connecticut. The doubleheader will showcase different teams each year.

I caught that, too. Interesting that to generate a crowd and buzz in NYC, that Barclay's invites ND, which is a no-brainier, and UConn. Not ND and BC/BU, etc. Shows who does draw in NYC and who does not.

 

[upstater]

I caught that, too. Interesting that to generate a crowd and buzz in NYC, that Barclay's invites ND, which is a no-brainier, and UConn. Not ND and BC/BU, etc. Shows who does draw in NYC and who does not.

Uh, BU already plays NYC. At Madison Square Garden. And they've played there for years. As anybody who knows anything about BU realizes, 50% of BU undergrads come from the tri-state area, and return there after graduation.

http://www.thegarden.com/events/2015/november/red-hot-hockey.html

 

[Kolumbo]

Uh, BU already plays NYC. At Madison Square Garden. And they've played there for years. As anybody who knows anything about BU realizes, 50% of BU undergrads come from the tri-state area, and return there after graduation.

http://www.thegarden.com/events/2015/november/red-hot-hockey.html

Good thing UCONN is in the Tri-State area, eh? Those kids' parents will only have to drive to Hartford instead of Boston to see their kids play!

 

[pj]

Good thing UCONN is in the Tri-State area, eh? Those kids' parents will only have to drive to Hartford instead of Boston to see their kids play!

Probably about 90% of UConn undergrads come from the tri-state area.

 

[upstater]

Good thing UCONN is in the Tri-State area, eh? Those kids' parents will only have to drive to Hartford instead of Boston to see their kids play!

Uh.... 99% of the hockey kids DO NOT come from the tri-state area.

 

[Kolumbo]

Uh.... 99% of the hockey kids DO NOT come from the tri-state area.

That's funny. Took me all of 30 seconds to see that 6 players from BU come from CT, NY, or NJ.

 

[pj]

Uh.... 99% of the hockey kids DO NOT come from the tri-state area.

Interesting statistic: 99% of the statistical claims using the number "99%" are made up.

 

[huskypantz]

Interesting statistic: 99% of the statistical claims using the number "99%" are made up.

I see what you did there.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

I caught that, too. Interesting that to generate a crowd and buzz in NYC, that Barclay's invites ND, which is a no-brainier, and UConn. Not ND and BC/BU, etc. Shows who does draw in NYC and who does not.

I'm sorry but you're so wrong on this one. BU and Cornell have sold out MSG four times, and have another game scheduled there for this November. Barclays is trying to jump in the bandwagon of college games in NYC, that's all it is.

 

[upstater]

Interesting statistic: 99% of the statistical claims using the number "99%" are made up.

Interesting statistic: 99% of the statistical claims using the number "99%" are made up.

Well, yer right. To be precise, they have 4 out of 27 from Tri-state, or 14%. 5 years ago it was 2 out of 27.

 

[upstater]

That's funny. Took me all of 30 seconds to see that 6 players from BU come from CT, NY, or NJ.

And the definition of Tri-State is not what you think it is.

In other words, Rochester and Enfield are not Tri-State towns. Tri-State refers to NY Metro.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_metropolitan_area

Combined Statistical Areas (CSA) group together adjacent core-based statistical areas with a high degree of economic interconnection.[15] The New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area had an estimated population of 23.6 million as of 2014.[1] About one out of every fifteen Americans resides in this region, which includes seven additional counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. This area, less the Pennsylvania portion, is often referred to as the Tri-State Area and less commonly the Tri-state Region. The New York City television designated market area (DMA) includes Pike County, Pennsylvania,[16] which is also included in the CSA.

 

[Kolumbo]

I know what Tri-State means but you know what? CT is small enough geographically that I'm not gonna worry about splitting it down even further. NYC, being the largest city in the country, can certainly handle a few hundred extra square miles in any direction. Thanks anyway.