WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I actually think that adding ASU would REDUCE the typical travel cost for WCHA teams. Adding ASU means that you take the AK / AL trips less frequently (a very % small change, but a change). I don't think any current WCHA program can get to either AK city for less cost than you can get to Phoenix. One flight for pretty much every WCHA team to get to Phoenix except AK schools.
Ryan J

That's my working theory for the piece that I'm working on (that Todd Pavlack asked me to do). Why? You also have to consider that the league will want to put in a 12th team, and then it's a matter of who. If it's Robert Morris, that's okay for Ferris and BG, but that's a long bus trip for everyone not in AK, AZ, or MN, who would all presumably fly in such a situation. (Millsy or someone else that remembers the BSU-RMU trips can tell me how they make it.)

GFM

[manurespreader]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

That's my working theory for the piece that I'm working on (that Todd Pavlack asked me to do). Why? You also have to consider that the league will want to put in a 12th team, and then it's a matter of who. If it's Robert Morris, that's okay for Ferris and BG, but that's a long bus trip for everyone not in AK, AZ, or MN, who would all presumably fly in such a situation. (Millsy or someone else that remembers the BSU-RMU trips can tell me how they make it.)

GFM

Well I'm back to thinking maybe an airplane leased by the league wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. It's been done by others. Charters are too expensive generally, but if you could get an operator to dedicate an airplane to you for the season it might work.

[bghockeyphotos]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

That's my working theory for the piece that I'm working on (that Todd Pavlack asked me to do). Why? You also have to consider that the league will want to put in a 12th team, and then it's a matter of who. If it's Robert Morris, that's okay for Ferris and BG, but that's a long bus trip for everyone not in AK, AZ, or MN, who would all presumably fly in such a situation. (Millsy or someone else that remembers the BSU-RMU trips can tell me how they make it.)

GFM

I'm looking forward to that piece, because I'm not entirely sure ASU is a bad thing for the WCHA, although Drew raises some valid points.

And as a side note, the student athlete that BG called up from the club team is only to be a practice player as he has no eligibility remaining.

[Jimjamesak]

I actually think that adding ASU would REDUCE the typical travel cost for WCHA teams. Adding ASU means that you take the AK / AL trips less frequently (a very % small change, but a change). I don't think any current WCHA program can get to either AK city for less cost than you can get to Phoenix. One flight for pretty much every WCHA team to get to Phoenix except AK schools.
Ryan J

There's an ANC to PHX flight. Sucks though, US Airways is terrible.

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I'm looking forward to that piece, because I'm not entirely sure ASU is a bad thing for the WCHA, although Drew raises some valid points.

Hopefully I'll have time to pull it off. Next week is my certification week for work, so ... yeah.

GFM

[Squarebanks]

There's an ANC to PHX flight. Sucks though, US Airways is terrible.

It's American now. Alaska also flies it in the winter but not daily.

[HuskyNation]

I've been to a few games. They're not bad... but they aren't D1.

Same reason why we watch Adrian, but will still travel to see D1.
D3 is good hockey for the most part, just not the same.

[HuskyNation]

Double post...so Let's Play Hockey stated that meeting between WCHA and ASU were fruitful. I for the life of me can't really understand the value in this relationship...

For the WCHA, they get what?
1) a chance to connect with Alumni in Arizona?
2) a chance to add another full D1 member to keep a seat at the table if BGSU chooses to do something?
3) Potential games on Pac-12 network with today's announcement: https://t.co/7vsQfrp3qs
4) Added travel costs unless they can convince ASU to subsidize like UAA, UA_ and UAH?

For ASU, they get a conference they think they can compete in from the start?

If they were really interested in growing hockey interest out West, they would televise all four games of the "Desert Hockey Classic," not just the one ASU game.

[beaverhockeyfan]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Millsy or someone else that remembers the BSU-RMU trips can tell me how they make it.

GFM

I don't think the RMU trips were too bad as I believe there were usually direct flights from MSP (there may have been one bad one but I can't recall the details). But BSU wouldn't always fly out of MSP, they would use Grand Forks from time to time which would add a leg onto any flight. Still gets them to MSP, but cuts two hours and some change off of bus time. Also, a smaller airport, so easier to get a team through security.

A typical flight trip for BSU involves bussing to Grand Forks (two hours) or MSP (four hours) and then catching a flight. Depending on that flight, they may leave Bemidji Wednesday night after classes to catch an early morning flight out of MSP. But in the new WCHA, the only places they fly are Fairbanks, Anchorage and Huntsville. In the CHA it was Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Huntsville, Air Force (when in the league) and Wayne State (when in the league). So the WCHA has cut down on air travel for the Beavers.

Now the UAH trips and Niagara trips, those were the interesting ones as they always involved one or two connections. Tom Serratore always says expect the unexpected going to Huntsville, and it doesn't always have to be about hockey. My most interesting trip personally was coming back from Huntsville once and my flight getting delayed on the way out of Huntsville, so I ended up going Huntsville-Memphis-Cincy-Chicago-Minneapolis-Brainerd. Didn't spend more than 30 minutes in an airport that day once I left Huntsville.

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I wonder if the Beavs will bus down here for Thanksgiving.

Yes, flying from here is strange. I still love my MQT-DTW-BNA-MEM-HSV flight back from the UP on Super Bowl Sunday 2003. I got to BNA about ten minutes after a flight to HSV left; I got home six hours later.

GFM

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I ended up going Huntsville-Memphis-Cincy-Chicago-Minneapolis-Brainerd. Didn't spend more than 30 minutes in an airport that day once I left Huntsville.

A real-life Del Griffith...

[Jimjamesak]

It's American now. Alaska also flies it in the winter but not daily.

Right. Forgot about that merger. Still sucks.

[Squarebanks]

Right. Forgot about that merger. Still sucks.

At least you can get Alaska miles and status on AA. That alone makes it a lot more useful to Alaska residents.

[manurespreader]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Just in case you didn't see this.... Good for the league as a whole for sure.. amazed that our media friends at USCHO didn't pick it up.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/14...overlooked-now

[Squarebanks]

Just in case you didn't see this.... Good for the league as a whole for sure.. amazed that our media friends at USCHO didn't pick it up.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/14...overlooked-now

Thanks for posting. I hadn't seen it yet.