There are 10 members in HE, or 11 if they let ND vote. Maybe the UVM AD was too stoned to get on the conference call.
Likely, yes, done deal, no. I know there was some concern among a few HE schools whether UConn was serious about upgrading the program to the standards of the conference, especially in light of how neglected the program has been over the last decade. Also, UConn wasn't the only suitable option, RPI was originally rumored as team 12 when ND was added as 11. They have the arena already (though old), have an established program, wouldn't add much travel, and have a proven record of success. Of course, as a brand name, UConn dwarfs RPI and UConn's upside potential is much, much higher. I think UConn needed to lay out a plan to HE showing they were committed to this and were going to invest the necessary resources to make the program competitive in HE. Hopefully, that plan isn't just play every game at XL, add some scholarships, and see what happens. That will lead to failure.
Yes. 95% of college hockey games are Friday and Saturday nights, the other 5% are on Sunday afternoons, only for TV purposes.
changeover would likely take too long, it'd be at least 3-4 hours if that. hockey requires a full one hour prior to the game after the rink is set up and resurfaced for players to stretch and warm up. the only way to do it would be hockey early and basketball late, and i cant imagine anyone would show up extra early for the hockey if they didn't already want to, so you wouldn't gain extra fans. they should focus on as many friday night home games as they can and scheduling as many saturday night games on non-home basketball game nights, all in storrs. with HE schools being so close, home and homes on the same weekend are standard, so working this out would be very possible.
Yes, post-WCHA split, HE will be the best top to bottom conference in the country. The new WCHA is significantly worse, B1G is too small and one-third of the conference is absolutely terrible, and the NCHC has some strong programs in Denver, North Dakota, but most others are just above average programs that aren't true powerhouses. With ND, 10 of 11 HE teams have made the NCAA tournament since 2007 and all but Northeastern and Merrimack have won at least one game, in addition to four national titles, three of which never actually happened.
I think people forget that CT is a decent hockey area... I'm sure the national perception is that CTcouldn't hold onto the Whalers so there is little interest for the sport in this state. Obviously untrue...
Great point. I'm sure Freitas fills this to an extent now, but there are youth facilities around the state that are better than Freitas. It also allows for club teams on campus to use it, for intramural sports, and a place for local youth leagues to host tournament championships, and even possibly the state high school championships.
That is a temporary situation until UCONN has a useable facility of its own. if the choice is Hockey East in Hartford or Atlantic in Storrs, to me it is an easy decision. Play in Hartford for the time being.
