U of Illinois AD & NHL joint press conference

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

One assumes, if this came to fruition, that the B1G would move to a 28-game quadruple round robin.

It would kind of stink for the noncon arrangements that IW and UMn use to keep (some of) the old WCHA flames alive, but it’s objectively the best format for the league.

[SteveO]

One assumes, if this came to fruition, that the B1G would move to a 28-game quadruple round robin.

It would kind of stink for the noncon arrangements that IW and UMn use to keep (some of) the old WCHA flames alive, but it’s objectively the best format for the league.

7-8 NC games is doable.

[TigerFan86-87]

https://www.news-gazette.com/sports/i...-illinois.html

"Imagine the November excitement surrounding a 5,000-seat arena hosting volleyball on a Friday night, Big Ten hockey on Saturday and Illini wrestling on Sunday."
The writer clearly knows little about college hockey scheduling. I'm pretty sure if the Illini were home on Saturday night, there would not be a volleyball game in there on Friday night.

[Stauber1]

One assumes, if this came to fruition, that the B1G would move to a 28-game quadruple round robin.

I don't think that is necessarily true. I'd probably put even money on them maintaining a 24-game schedule with a rotation and scheduling partner similar to what we saw at the end of the "old" WCHA.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

I don't think that is necessarily true. I'd probably put even money on them maintaining a 24-game schedule with a rotation and scheduling partner similar to what we saw at the end of the "old" WCHA.

WI-MN
IL-ND
MI-MSU
OSU-PSU

Rotate which pairing you only have one series against?

[SteveO]

I don't think that is necessarily true. I'd probably put even money on them maintaining a 24-game schedule with a rotation and scheduling partner similar to what we saw at the end of the "old" WCHA.

The last season in the WCHA (2012-13), Gophers had 28 conference games, 8 non-conference and 2 exhibitions (36 games excluding EXs).

But there was a rotation. Gophers played all 11 WCHA teams at least once and MNSU, UAA and UW twice. Same in 2011-12, except Gophers played UW, UND and SCSU twice.

Coming 2018-19 season, Gophers have 24 B1G conference (play every team twice), 11 non-conference and 2 exhibitions (35 games excluding EXs). I suspect the NC schedule will be cut to 7 or 9 to allow for either 4 UI games for a total of 28 conference games @ 4 games/B1G school. Or two games only for one B1G team/season for 26 conference and 9 non-conf (35 games).

[Stauber1]

WI-MN
IL-ND
MI-MSU
OSU-PSU

Rotate which pairing you only have one series against?

There are different ways you could do the rotation, but yes, that's the general idea. Play 5 teams both home and away, 1 team only at home, 1 team only away. Rotate through but maintain 1 rivalry series that you play both home and away every year.
Exactly what the "old" WCHA had, except obviously the numbers were different then because the league consisted of 12 rather than 8 teams.

A 28-game conference schedule used to be a standard, and for leagues like AHA and WCHA it still makes some sense, but I think the trend now is a recognition that there are some real advantages to more OOC games - particularly for the bigger schools.

[Stauber1]

The last season in the WCHA (2012-13), Gophers had 28 conference games, 8 non-conference and 2 exhibitions (36 games excluding EXs).

But there was a rotation. Gophers played all 11 WCHA teams at least once and MNSU, UAA and UW twice. Same in 2011-12, except Gophers played UW, UND and SCSU twice.

Coming 2018-19 season, Gophers have 24 B1G conference (play every team twice), 11 non-conference and 2 exhibitions (35 games excluding EXs). I suspect the NC schedule will be cut to 7 or 9 to allow for either 4 UI games for a total of 28 conference games @ 4 games/B1G school. Or two games only for one B1G team/season for 26 conference and 9 non-conf (35 games).

Unless they play some games that qualify for exemption status, every team is limited to 34 regular season games.

[SteveO]

Unless they play some games that qualify for exemption status, every team is limited to 34 regular season games.

I had to look that one up, good call.

NCAA teams are allowed to play 34 games during the regular season, not including conference postseason tournaments and the NCAA tournament. Conferences may impose further restrictions. Some in-season tournaments, special games and games played in Alaska are exempted from the 34-game limit.

Gophers have 35 next season. Gophers vs. UND @ Vegas, one game...winner take all sounds special. We can play in Alaska for free!

[FlagDUDE08]

Unless they play some games that qualify for exemption status, every team is limited to 34 regular season games.

And the WCHA had an Alaska team; it doesn't count against the 34 team if you play an Alaska team in Alaska. Also, you're permitted one international and one USA Hockey sanctioned exhibition for free.

The game vs. UND in Vegas is sanctioned by the USA Hockey Hall of Fame, and is therefore exempt.

[MadCityRich]

I've got the simple answer;

Let college hockey play 8-10 more regular season games per year. (Mic drop)

[Stauber1]

I've got the simple answer;

Let college hockey play 8-10 more regular season games per year. (Mic drop)

I actually don't think it needs to even be that drastic. I'd be in favor of extending the season by 2 weeks and increasing the regular season limit to 38-40g. I think it would be a serious uphill slog, though, before that would ever come to fruition. And I can understand the arguments against it.

[Sean Pickett]

I've got the simple answer;

Let college hockey play 8-10 more regular season games per year. (Mic drop)

I actually don't think it needs to even be that drastic. I'd be in favor of extending the season by 2 weeks and increasing the regular season limit to 38-40g. I think it would be a serious uphill slog, though, before that would ever come to fruition. And I can understand the arguments against it.

I don't think the NCAA will increase the game limit. The NCAA reduced the number of regular season games allowed from 38 to the current 34 back in 1992-93. As a way to get around the new limit a number of "pre-season" tournaments were started that asked for and received annual or bi-annual exemptions from the 34 game limit. However, after a number of years the NCAA decided to no longer grant the exemptions. The lone exception was the Ice Breaker Tournament which had it's exemption written into the DI bylaws.

Sean

[4four4]

Rumor has it this is a done deal. There is no way a Big Ten school comes out like this only to have egg on their face.

[SteveO]

Rumor has it this is a done deal. There is no way a Big Ten school comes out like this only to have egg on their face.

Not surprising. It was a done deal when the NHL coughed up $20K for the feasibility study with full knowledge the potential for program success was already there.

[AKSWF]

So Notre Dame and Illinois to B1G, ASU to the NCHC with Minnesota State?

[SteveO]

So Notre Dame and Illinois to B1G, ASU to the NCHC with Minnesota State?

MSUM's app to join NCHC was rejected in 2016. I don't see NCHC even considering expansion to include ASU until their arena is done in late 2020. Travel costs have always been an issue for the league with the Sun Devils, and despite the fact that it's a big-name, big-time sports school, it's still a neophyte when it comes to hockey.

[joecct]

MSUM's app to join NCHC was rejected in 2016. I don't see NCHC even considering expansion to include ASU until their arena is done in late 2020. Travel costs have always been an issue for the league with the Sun Devils, and despite the fact that it's a big-name, big-time sports school, it's still a neophyte when it comes to hockey.

And currently travel is not an issue going from Colorado to Ohio?

[BGDrew]

MSUM's app to join NCHC was rejected in 2016.

I think the wording they used was “tabled.” It wasn’t outright refused, just kept on file.

[joecct]

I think the wording they used was “tabled.” It wasn’t outright refused, just kept on file.

Isn't the more accurate term "they put it on ice?