UCONN hockey program won't be complete until on-campus barn/team facility opens

[TheDoggPound]

I beg to differ. I think the owners will work out a plan to balance out the conferences. Unless they want to keep the Western Conference smaller to make it easier and more desirable to play in the west because it'd be easier to make the playoffs.

Their plan A is clearly Vegas and Seattle but they're not going to wait around forever for SEA. The fact that think the league hasn't had any problems with the 14-16 alignment should ease any of their concerns over going to a potential 15-17 split so I think they eventually grow tired of waiting and just go with QC semi-reluctantly. That's just my guess.

You make a good point that I never really put to much thought about making the WC more desirable with less teams but this would also a. foster more rivalries for the league as a result and b. lessen travel for the entire EC.

QC will be rivals with practically the entire EC with a few exceptions and if the Whalers were to come back they would have rivalries with the Bruins, Rangers, now Hurricanes, etc.

Rivalries = Compelling TV & $. Less travel costs is a by-product.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

QC will be rivals with practically the entire EC with a few exceptions and if the Whalers were to come back they would have rivalries with the Bruins, Rangers, now Hurricanes, etc.

Rivalries = Compelling TV & $. Less travel costs is a by-product.

Excellent point about rivalries but this leads me to a question (intentionally pointed to illustrate the NHL's lack of business sense, common sense, etc....

In the very early 1970's the Bruins and Rangers had become top level teams (for the first time together in their respective histories save a brief period in the late 1920's) who faced each other in the playoffs three times in four seasons (once in the finals). What exactly would lead a sports league to restructure their alignments so that a team from New York and a team from Boston (who each made the playoffs regularly over the subsequent decades) would not face each other on the playoffs for forty years?

 

[FDNY99]

Excellent point about rivalries but this leads me to a question (intentionally pointed to illustrate the NHL's lack of business sense, common sense, etc....

In the very early 1970's the Bruins and Rangers had become top level teams (for the first time together in their respective histories save a brief period in the late 1920's) who faced each other in the playoffs three times in four seasons (once in the finals). What exactly would lead a sports league to restructure their alignments so that a team from New York and a team from Boston (who each made the playoffs regularly over the subsequent decades) would not face each other on the playoffs for forty years?

That's easy to answer Tom..a sports league run by Gary Bettman

 

[bleedgreen]

I'm one of the many new season ticket holders from the Hartford area who was drawn into the fold by UConn embracing Hartford and Whalers fans as they joined Hockey East...I'm kind of surprised at the antipathy towards Hartford, the XL and Whalers fans here. We've had great crowds even with the poor promotion and an under .500 record. There are more UConn alumni and hockey fans in the Hartford area than in Storrs by far. Why be so eager to doom the hockey program to play third or fourth fiddle on campus in a small arena that will cut crowds almost in half?

I'm also not sure why it's not possible, with Uconn opening a campus in downtown Hartford, for the new XL Center to serve as the home ice for UConn in Hockey East. Are the rules so stringent that a satellite campus doesn't count?

 

[FDNY99]

I'm one of the many new season ticket holders from the Hartford area who was drawn into the fold by UConn embracing Hartford and Whalers fans as they joined Hockey East...I'm kind of surprised at the antipathy towards Hartford, the XL and Whalers fans here. We've had great crowds even with the poor promotion and an under .500 record. There are more UConn alumni and hockey fans in the Hartford area than in Storrs by far. Why be so eager to doom the hockey program to play third or fourth fiddle on campus in a small arena that will cut crowds almost in half?

I'm also not sure why it's not possible, with Uconn opening a campus in downtown Hartford, for the new XL Center to serve as the home ice for UConn in Hockey East. Are the rules so stringent that a satellite campus doesn't count?

On-campus arena was part of the deal getting a spot in HE. Without that promise there would be no HE hockey games at the XL Center. I consider my self a loyal Whaler fan...I root for ANY team playing the Hurricanes and adopted the Rangers as my new NHL team. I couldn't even think of rooting for the Bruins as a Whaler fan. It isn't UCONN Ice Hockey's job to fill the XL Center...UCONN should play a few of their bigger games at the XL Center each year BUT they need a place on campus where the students...YES students can bring the noise and rock the place. Basketball has proven alumni will travel to Hartford or Storrs for games..hockey should be no different!

 

[huskymike]

Hearing serious consideration to scrap plans for an on campus arena and XL will be home.

 

[TheDoggPound]

Hearing serious consideration to scrap plans for an on campus arena and XL will be home.

World is ending posts incoming!

I for one am perfectly fine with this if it does happen. If they went to Storrs support for the program would only diminish imo. I understand the angle of the students should get to watch them on campus but let's not act like the student section at last year games was anything else than underwhelming; it was borderline embarassing. Granted it would be better if they played on-campus but I think Greater Hartford's appetite for hockey far out paces the UConn students appetite.

And it's totally possible that the soccer team could end up outdrawing the hockey team at certain times (chance they're more popular too). I wouldn't want to see that. Plus selfishly if they move to Storrs I won't make any of the games and I suspect that would be the case with quite a good % of current ST holders. I would wager that UConn is none to thrilled by the idea of replacing full-paying ST holders with Student ST holders.

 

[FDNY99]

Hearing serious consideration to scrap plans for an on campus arena and XL will be home.

Huskymike where did you hear this? I'm interested to see what HE has to say about this if it is even at all true. I for one would not be surprised if HE gives UCONN an ultimatium build an on-campus facility as per our agreement or you are out. It blows my mind how on this board people can go to the hoops sections and there isn't any complaining about going to games at Gampel...yet on here all you see is people posting about how they want hockey to stay in Hartford and off campus. For this program to succede there needs to be a top notch facility on campus....no if's and's or but's! A 5000 seat facility on campus would be loud and rocking. It isn't UCONN ice hockey's job to replace the Whalers as Hartford's hockey team. Hartford actually has a hockey team to call their own..it's called the Wolfpack!

 

[FDNY99]

And it's totally possible that the soccer team could end up outdrawing the hockey team at certain times (chance they're more popular too). I wouldn't want to see that. Plus selfishly if they move to Storrs I won't make any of the games and I suspect that would be the case with quite a good % of current ST holders. I would wager that UConn is none to thrilled by the idea of replacing full-paying ST holders with Student ST holders.

Doggpound that's a pretty bold statement to make regarding the % of season ticket holders bailing if games are moved on campus. I'd take that bet any day of the week! And I most likely wouldn't make many games either since I am traveling from Westchester County.

 

[FDNY99]

I'll add this to think about for those of you who want to see the games stay in Hartford and not see a on-campus facility built. If you think for one second Mike Cavanaugh stays at UCONN if this happens I don't know what to tell you. He will move on first chance he gets! He has been on the record several times stating that a on-campus facility/arena is a must.

 

[TheDoggPound]

Huskymike where did you hear this? I'm interested to see what HE has to say about this if it is even at all true. I for one would not be surprised if HE gives UCONN an ultimatium build an on-campus facility as per our agreement or you are out.

If it's being seriously considered that lends credence to the fact that HE could be on-board with staying in Hartford; not against.

It blows my mind how on this board people can go to the hoops sections and there isn't any complaining about going to games at Gampel...yet on here all you see is people posting about how they want hockey to stay in Hartford and off campus.

It's a better draw in Hartford, more $ for UConn and that means more exposure for the team, program and league.

For this program to succede there needs to be a top notch facility on campus....no if's and's or but's! A 5000 seat facility on campus would be loud and rocking. It isn't UCONN ice hockey's job to replace the Whalers as Hartford's hockey team. Hartford actually has a hockey team to call their own..it's called the Wolfpack!

Hartford drew 5,814; that # will only rise as the ST base expands. You're talking about a 5,000 (UConn has said even 4,000) seat arena where the majority will be students. Students = lower revenue. You're already losing the revenue of the extra 1-2,000 people the XLC will be squeezing in nightly but on top of that you're then replacing a significant amount of paying customers for students. UConn takes a double hit on that and this is at a time where UConn is scrambling to bring in additional revenue to the university. Moving on-campus would do just the opposite.

 

[FDNY99]

If it's being seriously considered that lends credence to the fact that HE could be on-board with staying in Hartford; not against.



It's a better draw in Hartford, more $ for UConn and that means more exposure for the team, program and league.



Hartford drew 5,814; that # will only rise as the ST base expands. You're talking about a 5,000 (UConn has said even 4,000) seat arena where the majority will be students. Students = lower revenue. You're already losing the revenue of the extra 1-2,000 people the XLC will be squeezing in nightly but on top of that you're then replacing a significant amount of paying customers for students. UConn takes a double hit on that and this is at a time where UConn is scrambling to bring in additional revenue to the university. Moving on-campus would do just the opposite.

Until the "it's seriously being considered" rumor comes from UCONN it's another unfounded rumor! As for $$ and the students..all well and good but don't expect Cavanaugh to be around long. I'm glad in a way I live near NYC and my firehouse is not far from MSG...because it allows me to look at hockey in Hartford rationally. I'll be a Whaler fan till the day I die...but the NHL isn't comng back to Hartford. Hell will have to freeze over before Gary Bettman says yes to that.

 

[bleedgreen]

I don't want to dive too far OT with the NHL thing, but the idea that Bettman is opposed to the NHL in Hartford "just because" is ridiculous. He's visited Hartford in the past five years, met with politicians and laid out guidelines. It always has been and always will be about our willingness to build a modern arena.

That said, I've heard directly from people in the CRDA that UConn will be the main partner/tenant in the new XL. For all intents and purposes, downtown Hartford will be a UConn campus and the XL will be a UConn facility. I don't see how this is a bad thing. Storrs is already congested with major league caliber basketball programs, taking the hockey program back to Storrs full time will do nothing but slash attendance in half and unload most of the season ticket base. Herbst has been in Hartford meeting with Malloy. I've rarely seen state officials be so unambiguous about their intentions and don't consider this unsubstantiated rumor. The fact that there has been little but silence on the on-campus facility is just supporting evidence.

Cavanaugh has had nothing but good things to say about Hartford and was the driving force in pulling more games there this year. The crowd in Hartford is an intimidating factor which has played a part in those upset victories. There's no compelling reason that an arena on the Hartford campus wouldn't count as an on campus facility except for provincial attitudes among Storrs fans who feel like their campus is the "real campus". I think it would be incredibly foolish to intentionally hobble the growth of this program in Hartford, NHL aspirations aside. It stands on its own merit.

Until the "it's seriously being considered" rumor comes from UCONN it's another unfounded rumor! As for $$ and the students..all well and good but don't expect Cavanaugh to be around long. I'm glad in a way I live near NYC and my firehouse is not far from MSG...because it allows me to look at hockey in Hartford rationally. I'll be a Whaler fan till the day I die...but the NHL isn't comng back to Hartford. Hell will have to freeze over before Gary Bettman says yes to that.

 

[bleedgreen]

Also, let's not kid ourselves about the relationship of UConn to the state as a whole. UConn athletics are most certainly filling the major league-sized void left by the Whalers, and not just the hockey team. Every tax payer has skin in the game, and the alumni who really spend the money on these programs are overwhelmingly found more in the Hartford area than in Storrs. These teams are not and should not become pet projects of a small group of people.

 

[TheDoggPound]

Until the "it's seriously being considered" rumor comes from UCONN it's another unfounded rumor! As for $$ and the students..all well and good but don't expect Cavanaugh to be around long.

Cav is slated to leave regardless according to many people when Jerry York steps down + that's just your personal conjecture that he would leave w/o an on-campus arena anyways.

I'll be a Whaler fan till the day I die...but the NHL isn't comng back to Hartford. Hell will have to freeze over before Gary Bettman says yes to that.

a. How's the NHL pertain to the future of UConn's Hockey program?

b. It's safe to say you would have been one of those people saying WPG would never sniff the NHL again and your reasoning in all likelihood would have been the same lame and tired reason you stated above.

I'm glad in a way I live near NYC and my firehouse is not far from MSG...because it allows me to look at hockey in Hartford rationally.

Congrats living within the vicinity of one of the most underachieving franchises in all of professional sports history. I'm glad to say I don't.

 

[FDNY99]

Cav is slated to leave regardless according to many people when Jerry York steps down + that's just your personal conjecture that he would leave w/o an on-campus arena anyways.



a. How's the NHL pertain to the future of UConn's Hockey program?

b. It's safe to say you would have been one of those people saying WPG would never sniff the NHL again and your reasoning in all likelihood would have been the same lame and tired reason you stated above.



Congrats living within the vicinity of one of the most underachieving franchises in all of professional sports history. I'm glad to say I don't.

You sure about regardless...BC alum Greg Brown will get a TON of support to replace York when he retires. Nope not in the least about Winnipeg...same with Minnesota. Hey I live where I live because I am a fireman in the GREATEST fire department in the GREATEST city in the world. I like the Rangers now because I refuse to gve that Karmanos ANY of my $$. I don't get why people tout yourselves as UCONN alumni yet want the hockey games all in Hartford. I guess it's just easier for you to go to them. And hey I grew up 10 minutes from campus so I haven't always lived down this way.

 

[FDNY99]

Cav is slated to leave regardless according to many people when Jerry York steps down + that's just your personal conjecture that he would leave w/o an on-campus arena anyways.



a. How's the NHL pertain to the future of UConn's Hockey program?

b. It's safe to say you would have been one of those people saying WPG would never sniff the NHL again and your reasoning in all likelihood would have been the same lame and tired reason you stated above.



Congrats living within the vicinity of one of the most underachieving franchises in all of professional sports history. I'm glad to say I don't.

You sure about regardless...BC alum Greg Brown will get a TON of support to replace York when he retires. Nope not in the least about Winnipeg...same with Minnesota. Hey I live where I live because I am a fireman in the GREATEST fire department in the GREATEST city in the world. I like the Rangers now because I refuse to gve that Karmanos ANY of my $$, and I was a Wolfpack fan before I started working in NYC. I don't get why people tout yourselves as UCONN alumni yet want the hockey games all in Hartford. I guess it's just easier for you to go to them. And hey I grew up 10 minutes from campus so I haven't always lived down this way.

 

[FDNY99]

Also, let's not kid ourselves about the relationship of UConn to the state as a whole. UConn athletics are most certainly filling the major league-sized void left by the Whalers, and not just the hockey team. Every tax payer has skin in the game, and the alumni who really spend the money on these programs are overwhelmingly found more in the Hartford area than in Storrs. These teams are not and should not become pet projects of a small group of people.

You mean the CRDA and fans like you who don't want to go up to campus?
As for Cav's feelings about an on-campus facility they are in here:
http://www.theuconnblog.com/2014/10/10/6956871/uconn-mens-hockey-interview-with-mike-cavanaugh

 

[TheDoggPound]

You sure about regardless...BC alum Greg Brown will get a TON of support to replace York when he retires.

Ok, so if he's not going to BC then I can't see another obvious program that he could step into and coach that wouldn't be considered anything other than lateral move for him, especially with all the resources he has at his disposal at UConn. If a 4,000 seat arena is really that much of a game breaker to him whatever; it is what it is.

Hey I live where I live because I am a fireman in the GREATEST fire department in the GREATEST city in the world.

That's awesome man, I'm truly glad you're happy and respect you for your service but we veered on this topic because you used it as an opportunity to snipe at Hartford, Connecticut and the Whalers return, for whatever reason. I enjoy living in CT, I'm proud of my state and I couldn't care less about NY or NYC.

I don't get why people tout yourselves as UCONN alumni yet want the hockey games all in Hartford. I guess it's just easier for you to go to them.

I'm not a UConn Alum. A lot of Huskies fans aren't and I've surely never "touted" myself as one.

My reasoning for wanting the team in Hartford is because the team receives gobs more exposure playing there, they'll play in front of thousands of more people, it's a centralized location for the vast majority of the UConn fan base (which resides in GH), UConn generates more revenue (+ doesn't spend $ on an arena), the list goes on and on.

 

[FDNY99]

Ok, so if he's not going to BC then I can't see another obvious program that he could step into and coach that wouldn't be considered anything other than lateral move for him, especially with all the resources he has at his disposal at UConn. If a 4,000 seat arena is really that much of a game breaker to him whatever; it is what it is.



That's awesome man, I'm truly glad you're happy and respect you for your service but we veered on this topic because you used it as an opportunity to snipe at Hartford, Connecticut and the Whalers return, for whatever reason. I enjoy living in CT, I'm proud of my state and I couldn't care less about NY or NYC.



I'm not a UConn Alum. A lot of Huskies fans aren't and I've surely never "touted" myself as one.

My reasoning for wanting the team in Hartford is because the team receives gobs more exposure playing there, they'll play in front of thousands of more people, it's a centralized location for the vast majority of the UConn fan base (which resides in GH), UConn generates more revenue (+ doesn't spend $ on an arena), the list goes on and on.

I too am a proud CT native who grew up 10 minutes from campus and lived there till 1999...I learned the game of hockey as a kid on the open air rink on campus...a CT native who has had season tickets to UCONN sports for a LONG time. I dumped on Hartford because as a CT native I'm tired of seeing UCONN being used as a political football to bail out Hartford. I would like to see them play the bigger games in Hartford...but the CDRA needs to roll the dice and not use UCONN as the main tennent. My fear for the program is this : if they don't build a good on-campus facility/arena they will forever be fighting an uphill battle recruiting. There also may be a Title IX issue down the road if they don't let the women play in Hartford (which is an instant money loser).

 

[TheDoggPound]

I dumped on Hartford because as a CT native I'm tired of seeing UCONN being used as a political football to bail out Hartford. I would like to see them play the bigger games in Hartford...

I don't know if it could be considered political football when it's a completely rational idea that has merit to it. If the team would be more successful in Hartford it's not a case of bailing them out it's a case of trying to compete with the Minnesota's, North Dakota's and Wisconsin's. If the goal is to be QU 2.0 then they'll go to Storrs.

but the CDRA needs to roll the dice and not use UCONN as the main tennent.

It's not a one sided affair CRDA-UConn. UConn has a lot of skin in the game as well. They desperately need additional revenue streams and a state-of-the-art facility to house their championship programs. Partnering up and supporting the retrofitted XL Center and signing a long-term lease we'll open that up for them while at the same time marking off a box in terms of competing in CR. If CRDA "rolls the dice" and tries to pitch the retrofit without an anchor and ultimately fails UConn is up creek without a paddle in terms of just about everything.

 

[FartMan69]

I can't wait for them to pump 250 million into a 40 year old building so we can have the same conversation 20 years down the road. Between that and the State already trying to convince us that UConn will be the main tenant is slowly turning me from a believer in the NHL to someone who sees that we aren't taking this seriously.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

A couple random thoughts:

I would not be opposed to a delay (as long as it only is a delay) in building the on-campus rink if (and only if) it gets delayed because we no longer need to honor the agreement with Hockey East as our men's ice hockey team (and all other varsity sports for that matter) will be moving to the B1G.

Beginning not long after he got the job as commissioner (~93-94) Bettman was determined to move the Whalers. That said, the NHL would put a team back in Hartford in a second if a) an acceptable arena is built (in a city like Hartford it would likely cost $500 million) and b) someone comes up with the franchise fee (another $500 million).

 

[FartMan69]

I don't think Bettman or the owners are anti-Hartford, they were in favor of them moving but like was mentioned if a NEW arena is built and an owner wants to pony up the expansion fee or by some miracle one of the money losers is finally allowed to relocate the NHL can certainly make a come back. With a salary cap, revenue sharing and increased exposure a team would work here. All that said the state is going to stumble over their own feet and we'll end up with Key Arena East.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

No Title IX issue with women playing in Storrs, men in Hartford.

4K on campus arena would be ridiculously undersized. Would have to be 6-7K range.

Playing 100% of games in Hartford would ultimately be a hindrance for the program. They all know that. I don't see Cav leaving immediately for anywhere but BC (and even that looks to be a <50% chance) but down the line if there are no on campus facilities - at least a practice facility for peet's sake - that's going to put UConn at a recruiting disadvantage. Whether some of you want to admit that or not, it's the case. Not to mention, it'd piss off Hockey East (this rumor does not at all indicate they're OK with it.) If UConn wants to bank on being in the B1G, that's great, I hope it happens, but don't count your chickens. Hockey East is the best league any respective UConn sport is in, probably not a great idea to piss them off as the newest, and most easily disposable, member.

Long term plan should be invest money in a top notch on campus practice and training facility, include the arena, 6-7K so you're on par with top HE and most B1G schools, plan to play some of the big games each year in Hartford if it's necessary to satisfy the politicians. Getting 11-12K+ a night in Hartford for hockey is not going to happen. No one in the country does it outside of North Dakota. Playing in Hartford consistently, you're probably looking at the 5-6K average overall, including up years and down years. That in a cavernous 15K arena.....eh. That in a full on campus arena with a few big games that can pull in the 8-10K in Hartford....great idea.

 

[freescooter]

Brass bonanza is exactly right on this. In every way. Hockey East is the best league in the country from both level of play to location. The other issue with Hartford is that UConn is at the mercy of 3 other programs. Just look at last years schedule when everyone is playing Fri-Saturday home-home series were stuck playing Tuesday and Sunday afternoon games. Or moving attractive opponents to Bridgeport (or Brooklyn). On campus arena is a must long term...midterm actually. 6000+- build long term fans among the students.

 

[huskymedic]

Cavanaugh has had nothing but good things to say about Hartford and was the driving force in pulling more games there this year.

As opposed to where - Bridgeport? Freitas? Taft School? Was there really any other option than "pulling more" to Hartford?

My bet is a state of the art showcase training facility/rink will be built on campus and games will be split between Htfd and Storrs based on opponent and demand.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

As opposed to where - Bridgeport? Freitas? Taft School? Was there really any other option than "pulling more" to Hartford?

My bet is a state of the art showcase training facility/rink will be built on campus and games will be split between Htfd and Storrs based on opponent and demand.

Hah, exactly. Believe me, Cav would much rather be playing in Storrs than Hartford. He says good things about Hartford because he has to. You think he's going to shoot his own recruiting efforts in the foot publicly by bashing the arena he's playing in?

 

[TheDoggPound]

Some quick bullet points :

- NHL ownership in Hartford won't need $500M; that's the going rate for an expansion team. We're a relocation market. (WPG paid $170M for the Thrashers)

- $250M will be enough - XLC will be completely gutted & unrecognizable. The only thing that will be 40 years old is the steel super-strutcutre and original concrete foundation; both appear to be intact and in great shape. It seems a little silly to spend tens of Millions of extra dollars frivolously just to replace something that doesn't need replacing and for something that you can't even see in the first place.

- Hartford over time could avg. 8,000 (IMO) putting us in the upper echelon of NCAA attendance. 6,008 for HE games last year and the ST base will only rise over the next 2-3 years. A 4,000 seat arena in Storrs would put us on par with QU which is fine; if that's what AD's ultimate goal is.

- They could always build a training facility on campus and in Hartford.

- We have to keep in mind that when the XLC's retrofit is complete they might have a better system (an actual real one - not lousy curtains) in place for sectioning off the upper bowls. It could look and work much better.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

There's no good way to section off an arena. Curtains muffle noise and they look minor league. UConn would be pushing it to average 8K a night playing on random nights in Hartford against the likes of Merrimack, Vermont, RPI, and Northeastern. Will they probably bring in 8K for the likes of BU and BC? Sure, but so does UMass. The question for the program remains how will the fan support be when the new car smell wears off. Those bottom of the league games will be the litmus test for what the realistic fan support of the program is and will be.