Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald explains the motives of the six schools that will form the new college hockey conference. Its the best article written yet about the subject. He also offers some interesting insight into the inner politics of the WCHA. Namely the schools were at odds on what direction to take the conference.
Interesting rumor on the SiouxSports Message Board suggesting that the University of St. Cloud was snubbed because their former president lobbied to remove the Fighting Sioux nickname. He was also accused of assisting a protest rally against the nickname in front of Englestad Arena.
Western Michigan hopes to hitch their wagon to Notre Dame and plan to follow the Fighting Irish to either the Super League or Hockey East. Sounds like a plausible strategy and I believe this significantly increases the odds that Notre Dame will eventually decide or may have already decided to join the Super League.
Western Michigan hopes to hitch their wagon to Notre Dame and plan to follow the Fighting Irish to either the Super League or Hockey East. Sounds like a plausible strategy and I believe this significantly increases the odds that Notre Dame will eventually decide or may have already decided to join the Super League.
Northern Michigan University is going to aggressively pursue its conference strategy, but its interesting to note that their Athletic Director is out on medical leave. Sounds like they might like to jump to the WCHA. That would give the "new" WCHA six teams; UAA, MSU-M, SCSU, MTU, NMU & BSU. If the compact six team league could get some sort of a scheduling agreement with the Big Ten Hockey Conference on the side, it just might work.
The Grand Forks Herald also has another editorial about the new Super League.
18 comments:
The Western Mich. article has some strong implications regarding Western Mich. remaining in league with Notre Dame, if you choose to believe the A.D. Or she could just be throwing out typical political spiel. Gee--has an A.D. ever done that before?
Her statements are direct regarding future ties with Notre Dame and point toward an eight team league , which is significantly better than our present six team league. Six is a little thin.
Here's hoping officials at Notre Dame and Western Michigan catch the last flight to Colorado Springs on Wednesday morning in time to make the new Super 6 press conference a Super 8 one.
Dude! There's our new sponsor..... goodbye, Red Baron Pizza..... I'm going to the SECHA (Super Eight Collegiate Hockey Association) Final 4, presented by Super 8 Motels!!!!
IT IS NOT A SUPER LEAGUE!
OK, IT IS THE LEAGUE OF SUPERIOR HOCKEY POWER
MOVE YOUR FEET!
IT IS THE LEAGUE OF SHOCK AND AWE
DU'ers.....prepare yourselves for consistently being in the bottom half of the new league.
Michigan has offically joined DU's ECAC league in lacrosse.
Playing big schools is DU's future.
Interesting analysis Skip. DU will definitely have to move their feet in this new super conference.
Unlike 9:52. I predict consistent top half of Super League finishes as long as we move our feet.
DG, I would question the SCSU and the Fighting Sioux nickname angle, I think it has more to do with SCSU not being up to snuff when it comes to spending money on their hockey program as the others involved.
Goon,
I post it, you decide. :-)
DG
I'm with Goon. Nickname,Schmickname.
SCSU does not, and will not, have same level of the money to invest in sports as the SuperConference members do.
End of story.
SCSU has the money to compete in the league, they just have idiots making the decisions on how to spend it. Look at the revenue they are taking in (attendance, advertising, etc...) & you can't tell me they are generating less money than UNO, UMD, or CC. They even passed a student referendum to raise fees to go directly into funding activities last fall.
This is all about sticking with Mankato & Bemidji & not jumping ship. It sucks as a Husky fan, & I hope we continue to compete against Minnesota, UMD & North Dakota in our newly-renovated arena in 2013.
As much influence as it sounds like UND has had here, I can't imagine something so serious as this would be affected to that extent by a dispute over the nickname.
Anon 2:24 you might want to read this article.... "St. Cloud State of the WCHA is also pressing to get into the league, but it is unlikely the Huskies will be included, one source said." http://tinyurl.com/6fd48n4
Great league. Great tradition. Great competition. What's not to like? I'll just have to get over missing the big league whining by UAA fans over the officiating. Otherwise, this deal is all blue skies and green light IMO.
I agree, moving you feet is key to Denver's success. Skating is also important.
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