Big Ten Hockey Conference?

[Eddie_Shack]

Not sure if I like this, it might grow on me but I don't really see a need to disrupt the CCHA or WCHA as is.

Men's hockey as Big Ten sport is one step closer to reality | MLive.com

 

[sherbert1421]

there needs to be more teams for this to work imo

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

There's a rumor that Lucia & U of Minny are talking about a 4 year contract extension. I don't understand why they would want him to stay. Players are leaving the program like flies. The Islanders signed Aaron Ness a few days ago. Now word is the Panthers are upset with the way Nick Bjugstad was used this year. Lucia had him playing Wing when he should be playing Center. The Gophers program seems to be in decline under Lucia & they want to give him an extension. It doesn't make any sense.

 

[ForkEmBucky]

there needs to be more teams for this to work imo

I agree. Plus, the rivalry that Minnesota and Wisconsin have with North Dakota is fun to watch. I'm sure they'll still play, but it's not the same when it isn't for conference bragging rights.

 

[esls79]

There's a rumor that Lucia & U of Minny are talking about a 4 year contract extension. I don't understand why they would want him to stay. Players are leaving the program like flies. The Islanders signed Aaron Ness a few days ago. Now word is the Panthers are upset with the way Nick Bjugstad was used this year. Lucia had him playing Wing when he should be playing Center. The Gophers program seems to be in decline under Lucia & they want to give him an extension. It doesn't make any sense.

Bring back Doug Woog...

 

[johnnytata]

money may rule the day here. exposure on big ten network. traditional (non-hockey) rivalries that fans of other sports will recognize all means more eyeballs on the sport. while i would hate to see the current rivalries go, recruiting would get a HUGE boost because school will have more money to play around with for beter facilities and kids will know their chances of playing hockey on a national stage are much higher every week.

 

[johnnytata]

would be the ONLY college hockey conference with it's own network. hell, even more canadian kids might wanna play in the conference since there's probably not even that many juniors leagues that would get that much television exposure. canadian brethren on the board, correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

money may rule the day here. exposure on big ten network. traditional (non-hockey) rivalries that fans of other sports will recognize all means more eyeballs on the sport. while i would hate to see the current rivalries go, recruiting would get a HUGE boost because school will have more money to play around with for beter facilities and kids will know their chances of playing hockey on a national stage are much higher every week.

I don't like the idea of losing all those good Michigan schools. I'm a Michigan fan, but I love being able to watch WMU, FSU, NMU, and LSSU on a regular basis. I have a feeling if they split the conference up I won't be able to see those teams as often.

 

[johnnytata]

yeah i'd miss watching the badgers playing teams like denver, cc and north dakota, but people are speculating or mayber the ad's are saying that they would try to maintain some of those rivalries. plus with only 6 teams initially in the conference, there would only be 20 conference matchups, they would have to make up the difference somehow. i think teams leftover from the ccha and wcha would probably want to keep those games on the schedule since the payout would likely be substantial based on the big ten network exposure, as long as the big ten teams don't try to pull a football move and insist on keeping those games at home.