2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

[pdt1081]

Pretty much a foregone conclusion that if ASU lands in the WCHA, the NCHC and Big6(7) will claim they really were not that serious about adding an expansion program that would drag down their conference. But if one of those two gets ASU they'll say it shows they have the best conference to draw in such a big school... The fact that they haven't even figured out how to get a rink yet is a huge red flag to me. If they don't find a conference in the next two years, I'm not sure they ever do get their own rink.
Ryan J

I'll go out on a limb and say ASU will not play a conference game (as a member) in the current configuration of the WCHA or NCHC.

[net presence]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

A few of you have posted recently in response to a tweet that Matt Wellens, the UMD beat writer for the Duluth News Tribune, sent out last week about the possibility that the Big 10 would be announcing the disbanding of the hockey conference after the Frozen Four. It seems that everyone is reacting with the intense skepticism this deserves. Well, after talking with some folks I was able to determine the source of this “rumor”. What follows is a column that appeared a few weeks back in the Weekly Reader, a weekly publication that originates in Duluth. The writer is apparently a regular columnist for this publication. I would normally just provide the link to it but, it seems as though links don’t often work on these forums. So, here is the column in full – please pay close attention to the last line. : )

The Masked Fan

Thursday Mar. 24th, 2016
Big Ten To Disband Hockey Conference And More!
by Marc Elliott

CHICAGO… I happened to be in the Windy City last week on business and while having dinner I happened to overhear some news that just about floored me on the spot! In the suburb of Rosemont and just a stones throw from the famous O’Hare Airport is the new Big Ten Conference Headquarters. It is visible from the Tri State Tollway with it’s funky new logo on the side of the 3 story building facing the mega-highway, which I don’t like and won’t attempt to describe for you, but if you are a sports fan, you have no doubt already seen it. However, based on my current feelings about the Conference they could have the greatest logo on earth and I would probably be trashing it.
Also within the building are a Big Ten museum and an upscale Brazilian Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao. I had never any intention to go visit the building before, but since I was in the area I thought why not, I’ll check it out. The museum and sports artifacts within were amazing to say the least, but after spending some time perusing them I decided to have a bite to eat. I went to the restaurant and was seated promptly, and I have to admit, I picked up at least one of my bad habits from my mother; I usually read while at the dinner table. I had a couple of political articles with me that I had printed out for further study in case some spare time popped up, and this was one of those moments.
I was by myself and quietly sipping a fresh coffee and studying the articles I had tucked in my jacket pocket. A trio of young thirty-something chaps came in dressed in formal business attire and were seated next to me. The way they were positioned was such that they weren’t directly facing me, and they were quite caught up in their conversation. I didn’t pay too much attention to them and went on with my reading. That is until I heard one of the young men say this; “this is going to hit the media like a bombshell”. Well, holy schnikees, without flinching one single bit, the conversation at that table suddenly had my full rapt singular focus.
What was going to hit like a bombshell I wondered? I listened on, one of the trio then stated that “the Conference has never made a decision like this…ever”. For the next several minutes I listened to the back and forth and then it occurred to me that what they were talking about is that the Big Ten has decided, behind closed doors, to disband their 6 team Men’s Ice Hockey Conference due to the fan backlash that has been directed at the Conference since the hockey kickoff 3 years back. I know for a fact that a large part of the fan base of both the Wisconsin Badgers and the Minnesota Gophers were very upset at the announcement of B10 hockey and that B10 member schools would be leaving their then conference affiliations to participate.
I can tell you that this has bothered me immensely as this misguided maneuver by the B10 broke up what was arguably the best collegiate hockey league in the history of NCAA hockey. (The old WCHA) I can state that there were other schools and a substantial part of their fan bases as well that were and are ruing the breaking up of decades long rivalries. Some of these fans had annual trips to rivalry weekends with family and friends that they had engaged in for years.
This has not been without alterations to member school revenues as well. I can tell you that from what I have seen with Gopher and Badger home games, that their attendance is down as well as their season ticket sales. I am not certain of that data with the other member schools. Based on comment boards and blogs that I have read, this is directly attributed to their schools no longer competing in the WCHA. In short, there have been many concerns voiced by the schools over the future of their ability to compete, their future revenues if the level of competition were to decline, and of what the aesthetics appear like for a conference that made itself bigger then the best hockey conference and tradition in the history of the game.
Fans apparently have deluged the B10 HQ with some fairly nasty letters, emails and phone calls according to the trio 8 feet away from me. Yes, I know, this entire folly is allegedly based upon some long lost bylaw that stated if there exists any sport with at least 6 member schools in D1 competition that they would have to do so under the conference banner. I couldn’t hear it specifically, but I believe one of the guys stated that at least one school was threatening to sue the B10 if they didn’t move to disband and allow their schools to apply for membership elsewhere.

One of them went on to say that a press conference would be called shortly after the Men’s Frozen Four has crowned a new Champion to announce this blockbuster. The schools would be free to apply for other league membership or go independent if they desired. I have to admit I have hated this from the moment I heard of it and these feelings have not subsided. This was strictly a money and power grab by the B10 powers with no regard to history or tradition within a sport that they have literally never cared about before. In fact, they still don’t care about it. They have my absolute contempt for busting up the old WCHA.

Suddenly I lurched forward! My eyes popped open wide! My forehead was covered with sweat! I looked at my watch…. I was supposed to be out at my mother’s ten minutes ago for dinner! Yikes! PEACE

[UAHStatman]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

Suddenly I lurched forward! My eyes popped open wide! My forehead was covered with sweat! I looked at my watch…. I was supposed to be out at my mother’s ten minutes ago for dinner! Yikes! PEACE

"Yikes!" was definitely the reaction I had after reading this. Just awful.

[manurespreader]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

what's awful is it got sent out in the first place.. I believe that the league will divide into east and west, with one Alaska school in each division, for the 17-18 season. I think the number of league games will be in play as well but for now I don't think it changes.
I give BGSU a lot of credit. Last year they made two trips to Alaska and never complained once.

[Squarebanks]

what's awful is it got sent out in the first place.. I believe that the league will divide into east and west, with one Alaska school in each division, for the 17-18 season. I think the number of league games will be in play as well but for now I don't think it changes.
I give BGSU a lot of credit. Last year they made two trips to Alaska and never complained once.

The Nooks made 6 trips to the lower 48 and didn't complain either!

In fact we may have been some of the first people in recorded history to be excited about a spring break trip to Houghton. Not that it worked out well.

[Squarebanks]

I'll go out on a limb and say ASU will not play a conference game (as a member) in the current configuration of the WCHA or NCHC.

With the Notre Dame move the table is set for ASU to the Big 10. It's the most logical solution, although I'd love to have them in the WCHA.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

With the Notre Dame move the table is set for ASU to the Big 10. It's the most logical solution, although I'd love to have them in the WCHA.

either way, they'll probably be a team more willing to travel to WCHA schools for the near future to fill their schedule.

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

Any update on the Alaska budget situation? Will UAA and UAF have teams next season?

[Squarebanks]

Will UAA and UAF have teams next season?

Rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

[aparch]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

I give BGSU a lot of credit. Last year they made two trips to Alaska and never complained once.

Well they didn't complain, but did their radio play-by-play guy complain on Twitter, Facebook, and USCHO about having to book their own flight, having three layovers, four different flights that may or may not have included Cedar Rapids, IA and Utica, NY, and a 40 hour total trip home?

Both times?

[Squarebanks]

Perhaps their radio guy needs to get better at knowing how to book flights

I'm pretty sure if I can figure out how to get to Detroit with one stop he can too.

Well they didn't complain, but did their radio play-by-play guy complain on Twitter, Facebook, and USCHO about having to book their own flight, having three layovers, four different flights that may or may not have included Cedar Rapids, IA and Utica, NY, and a 40 hour total trip home?

Both times?

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

Perhaps their radio guy needs to get better at knowing how to book flights

I'm pretty sure if I can figure out how to get to Detroit with one stop he can too.

He didn't go out of DTW. He went out of Toledo. From Toledo you have to connect through Cleveland to get to DTW.

[Seawolf Fan]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

Perhaps their radio guy needs to get better at knowing how to book flights

I'm pretty sure if I can figure out how to get to Detroit with one stop he can too.

It would be interesting to know if you had the assistance of the UA_ Super Computer to help or did you figure this out on your own?
Although UAA is at a disadvantage in the Super Computer vein, the team managed to get to DTW with a plane change at ORD. Several times. Just wish we were as good at figuring out how to win.
Pretty sure this is a standard routing.
Maybe the guy was trying to pump up his air mile account???

[Squarebanks]

It would be interesting to know if you had the assistance of the UA_ Super Computer to help or did you figure this out on your own?
Although UAA is at a disadvantage in the Super Computer vein, the team managed to get to DTW with a plane change at ORD. Several times. Just wish we were as good at figuring out how to win.
Pretty sure this is a standard routing.
Maybe the guy was trying to pump up his air mile account???

I had to use my abacus.

Via Alaska or Delta, Anchorage and Fairbanks are both one stop or even nonstop in the case of ANC-MSP from a decent chunk of the WCHA. Where it gets tricky is going to the UP. It'd be nice if Delta kept their FAI-MSP flight year-round but that one is mostly for senior tourists in matching outfits.

[AKSWF]

Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris

Am I the only one that believes ASU should go to the WCHA. With only 5 D1 wins this season's, 3-3 against WCHA teams.

L UAA
W UA_
2W LSSU
2L BSU

This season they would in the middle, perhaps .500 team in league play. If there recruiting/development goes well they could rise to a top tier team in WCHA in at least 5 years.

If they did this;I don't see them staying with the WCHA. They would move to the B7G, PAC, or the NCHC after getting successful, securing their fanbase, garning national attention.

Or they could rough it out with the NCHC, or the B7G. The WCHA would be the safer bet, but more money and recognization would come from the B7G, NCHC. Idk what do you guys think?