WCHA Expansion

Lucia4President · Post by **Lucia4President** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:38 pm

As many of you know, a WCHA expansion is more than likely in the next couple of years. What do the great college hockey minds on the "bored" want and expect to see from the WCHA if/when they expand? Do people want to see the conference split into two divisions? How would you handle the conference tournament? Who would your ideal teams of addition (or maybe subtraction)?

mulefarm · Post by **mulefarm** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 8:51 am

It looks like Bemidji State has a great chance to get in. In Jan., the wcha will meet and the UofM will ask to lift the moritorium on expansion. If that is withdrawn, they will vote at the April meeting on expansion. I think the new rink in Bemidji will be ready in the fall of 2010 and hold 3500-4000 with suites and other top notch amentities.

nikebauer_07 · Post by **nikebauer_07** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:12 pm

I wouldn't mind seeing Bemidji in the WCHA. They play numerous WCHA teams already and hold their own. They are better competition than Michigan Tech. A strong conference and new rink will help out recruiting, also.

Post by **east hockey** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:51 pm

I'm guessing the WCHA would want an even number of teams. Assuming BSU is added, who would be the 12th team? Air Force comes to mind. But at 2,600 capacity, Cadet Ice Arena would have to be expanded, obviously.

In addition, BSU's addition to the WCHA would sound the death knell for the CHA. What to do with Robert Morris, Niagara and Alabama-Huntsville? None would fit into the WCHA.

You can work a schedule with 11 teams, but the playoff situation would get weird. Would you want a "play in" game to eliminate one team? A "play in" series is a problem from the standpoint of adding a week to the league playoffs.

Meh. Keep Bemidji in the CHA. It's an easy autobid for one Minnesota D-1 team.

Lee

mulefarm · Post by **mulefarm** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:59 pm

I think the CHA is folding after the 2009-10 season or will not have a bid to the NCAA tourney. Only makes sense to let them into WCHA.

Post by **east hockey** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:12 pm

I can't see the WCHA having any interest in the first two teams. AH plays in a very nice sized arena, and could work. What the heck, we fly to Alaska...Alabama would be a short flight in comparison.

Niagara (Niagara, NY): Dwyer Arena, capacity 2,100

Robert Morris (Pittsburgh): Island Sports Center, capacity 1,100 (better situated for the CCHA)

Alabama-Huntsville (Huntsville, Al): Von Braun Center, capacity 7,000

Huntsville has a bit of a past connection up here, as J.R. Bradley (Hermantown) played there. For what it's worth.

Lee

nikebauer_07 · Post by **nikebauer_07** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:39 pm

You'd could try working out something where the WCHA would take Bemidji and one other team from the CHA and have another conference step up and take the remaining two teams. I think Bemidji would be a good addition to the WCHA. Easy place for teams to travel to cost wise compared to flights to Alaska, Colorado. Also a competitive team that would only better from a strong conference. I think it'd get to be a big mess if all the conferences had to reform to fit these teams in.

Rossbury21 · Post by **Rossbury21** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:45 pm

The Beavs against WCHA teams this season.

10/10 MSU 5-2 L
10/11 MSU 4-2 L

10/23 SCSU 4-2 W
10/24 SCSU 5-3 L

11/28 Mich Tech 3-0 W
11/29 Mich Tech 2-1 W

1/2 North Dakota 4-3 L
1/3 North Dakota 4-3 L OT

They have UMD this weekend to cap off their non conference WCHA opponents. A 3-5 record vs WCHA teams, compared to Michigan Tech at 1-13-2 WCHA, Alaska Anchorage at 4-8-2 in WCHA play. They wouldn't be at the top, but they will and can hold their own. Not to mention more instate recruits will look at BSU because they see them play more.

mulefarm · Post by **mulefarm** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:21 pm

Won't be surprised if Neb-Omaha would also apply. It would cut their travel would make more sense than the CCHA.

Hilltopper99 · Post by **Hilltopper99** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:26 pm

Wouldn't work for the WCHA (too many teams to drop) but I'd like to see a big 10 conference with all the big 10 teams plus a few more to reach 10.

In...
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
North Dakota

Pick your own final 4 teams.

I've heard Penn State has considered adding a hockey program.

Blue&Gold · Post by **Blue&Gold** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:45 pm

Hilltopper99 wrote:Wouldn't work for the WCHA (too many teams to drop) but I'd like to see a big 10 conference with all the big 10 teams plus a few more to reach 10.

In...
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
North Dakota

Pick your own final 4 teams.

I've heard Penn State has considered adding a hockey program.

The cost of starting a D1 hockey program has to be absolutely out of site with Title IX staring you down. Every scholarship would cost you two..

Goldy Gopher · Post by **Goldy Gopher** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:55 pm

Blue&Gold wrote:
Hilltopper99 wrote:Wouldn't work for the WCHA (too many teams to drop) but I'd like to see a big 10 conference with all the big 10 teams plus a few more to reach 10.

In...
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
North Dakota

Pick your own final 4 teams.

I've heard Penn State has considered adding a hockey program.
The cost of starting a D1 hockey program has to be absolutely out of site with Title IX staring you down. Every scholarship would cost you two..

Sad but true.