Joint Statement from: Peg Bradley-Doppes, Director of Athletics, University of Denver; Ken Ralph, Director of Athletics, Colorado College; Brad Bates, Director of Athletics, Miami University; Bob Nielson, Director of Athletics, University of Minnesota Duluth; Trev Alberts, Director of Athletics, University of Nebraska Omaha; Brian Faison, Director of Athletics, University of North Dakota
We are pleased to announce that six top NCAA Division I ice hockey programs will become founding members of a newly formed hockey conference, which will begin competition for the 2013-14 season. The six institutions are Colorado College, University of Denver, Miami University, University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Nebraska Omaha and University of North Dakota.
We understand and appreciate the widespread interest in developments relating to the formation of the new hockey conference. More information will be provided about the initiatives that have been undertaken, as well as the next steps involved, at a news conference in Colorado Springs this Wednesday, July 13. Our programs look forward to continued associations with our current leagues, the WCHA and CCHA, for the next two seasons.
Additional information about Wednesday's news conference will be forthcoming in the next few days. There will be no further comment from athletic directors, coaches or other officials from any of the institutions until Wednesday's news conference.
25 comments:
We need a volunteer to go down to the springs and when it's opened up for questions ask: can we leave Anderson with the remaining WCHA teams--pleeez
A historic announcement from the six schools. Great news for DU.
Amazing how they were able to keep this under wraps for most of the process. Will be intersting to hear the trials and tribulations of the process.
Some things I'd like to know:
Was the secret "Chicago Airport Meeting" a Super League meeting or a get together with the Big Ten Reps?
Was it a coincidence that the story was leaked to the Grand Forks Herald the day before a holiday in the slowest hockey news month of the year?
Who was the mystery Hockey East team that keep popping up in the rumors and news stories?
What is holding up the Notre Dame decision?
How long did this deal take to put together?
Why is this called a "new" conference? Looks more like adding Miami to the better half of the WCHA. Perhaps they have to do this to get rid of Anderson? In that case, I understand.
You're right.
This is like breaking up with your girlfriend so that you can start dating her hotter looking roommate.
Definitely a historic moment.
I first heard about DU breaking away from the WCHA very early last year, it was the hush-hush talk of the beginning of the season.
I really don't see Western as being a part of this, especially with Blashill already gone. I could very well be wrong about WMU, though.
In other NHL News:
Former Pioneer bust Keith Seabrook traded to Florida Panthers from Calgary Flames
I didn't think about the divorce from Anderson and Adamsn, what a bonus.
miller--It's not a given--only a hope. You saw what hope and change got us these last two years!
I can imagine that there must be a lot of uncertainty going on among the refs. and linsmen about where they will end up. my guess is that the coachs will have a big say in the assignments and another guess is that Gwoz. will see to it that Anderson is not invited to the dance.
Hopefully, the refing will be better in the new league... In other words, no Todd Anderson.
Doesn't this put World Arena as the only Olympic sized rink in the league? Will the league championship be contested at a pre-determined, fixed site or will it possibly move from city to city each year, or perhaps go to the team with the best regular season record??? Who will Chair this league and from what city? Indeed, there should be some awkward moments over the next 2 years with the existing WCHA teams - especially at the Final Five. I wonder who will be the last ever WCHA Champions??
I am hearing that the league offices will be in Omaha,
Frankly, that;s also a good site for the league tourny.
Omaha? Who the hell would want to come to Omaha for a tourney?
This move helps DU increase its potential as a destination program in a top level conference.
Without UM and UW, the WCHA was headed for mediocrity, bloated with too many cash-strapped programs who were either unwilling or unable to spend top level dollars to sustain top level hockey, and who were not attractive drawing cards in Denver, either.
DU did what it had to do.
omaha is a boring choice for sure, but pretty central and has a killer arena. and 'just' an 8 hour drive from denver through the worst area in the country...
i feel for the teams left behind, but having NoDak, Miami, UMD, CC, and UNO on the annual schedule is going to make games at magness 100 times more appealing to students and locals than UAA, StCloud, Bemidji, Mankato, and Tech.
A great move for increasing attendance and interest during the regular season.
This is a golden age for DU sports, folks. We are the best non-football D-I athletic dept. in the country for fourth year in a row - amazing for a 12th year program, when you consider how far our teams travel for games.
Nine of our 17 programs made the NCAA tournament last year. Hockey, Skiing and Men's Lacrosse are near the very pinnacle of their sports. Both M and W Soccer programs, gymnastics, and tennis, and golf programs are NCAA tourney level programs, too. Swimming, women's lax and both basketball program are getting closer to NCAA level programs, too.
DU is finally getting out of the far-flung Sun Belt and into a WAC conference where at least the competing teams are somewhat closer. It's not ideal, but its the best move DU could make under the circumstances.
School spirit is bursting out on campus to its highest levels in years, with people shouting the fight song and standing on bar tables during the NCAA lax run. Unbelievable. A new Boone leading the charge. An improved pep band, whiteouts, grilling society, dance teams, cheer squad, fight song and bigger student turnouts are changing the game day experience for the better. Even new bars like Crimson and Gold and The Pioneer are helping to generate better on-campus game day atmosphere.
DU players carry a 3.3 avg athletic GPA, and are graduating at an 80-90% rate. And while they aren't all saints, there hasn't been any DU athlete arrested in years. DU athletes are recruited for character, and most of them are great representatives for DU.
This new hockey conference move is another strong move that enhances the DU hockey experience, with a much more attractive home schedule on the way.
Kudos to Peg, Ron Grahame, Gwoz, Tierney and the rest of the DU team for really make things happen on the Hilltop and getting fantastic results.
It's great to be.....A Denver Pioneer!
Kept under wraps Lamien you may be the most clueless person in college hockey. Everyone knew this was coming lucky the Sioux let you in. I am made though that USCHO moved the paige of Hexy putting one past your sieve now it is UNO putting one past the sieve. Certainly more of these to come now.
Well stated Anon 7:56. You're ate up you soup sandwich.
Speculation and official statements are totally different things. DG isn't exactly wrong about it being "under wraps."
That's the best you have? What a great use of your time.
I'm gonna miss the MacNaughton Cup :(
Who said we won't punk dem dhere MTU Huskies and keep the cup for our new league...
@ jordan
It isn't speculation if you know what is going on and if you did indeed know what was going on (like some did) then it was definitely not under wraps...it's all about connects and most don't have them...though some do...
I'm not sure that those with the best connections post anonymously on opposing team's blogs.
@ Jordan
I hear you. This is "my team's" blog, however...sometimes being "anonymous" can be preferential...
I would agree that some of the most sensational revelations about DU hockey in the past five years have been mentioned "anonymously" on this blog long before they ever appeared in the Post or elsewhere.
Player suspensions, recruiting tips and the formation Super League are just some examples.
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