Interesting story about how being forced to leave the WCHA is not settling well with Gophers fans:

http://www.startribune.com/big-ten-hocke...370397541/

Quote:Sales of season tickets rose slightly in the first year of Big Ten play but have fallen in each of the past two years, from 7,394 in 2013-14 to 6,732 this season. Announced average attendance this season is 9,788 — 98 percent of capacity — but has dropped to its lowest level since 2011-12.

The actual number of tickets scanned per game also has fallen since the Gophers left the WCHA, from 8,162 in 2012-13 to 7,604 last year. Scalpers outside Mariucci say they are getting $15 for tickets with a face value of $45, and many go unsold even at that price.

The Big Ten tournament has been a disappointment, too, with attendance a fraction of the 87,295 that packed Xcel Energy Center for the last WCHA tournament in 2013. Traviolia, the league’s liason for men’s hockey, said the conference is assessing everything — including the tournament logistics and the Big Ten Network’s coverage of the sport — and called its first three seasons “a learning experience.”

Add UCONN. Problem solved.

Too late now.

so they are open to affiliate members and are doubtful any current members would start to sponsor the sport. I don't kniow if ASU would draw the interest of fans of schools such as Minnesota. Would the B10 consider north Dakota? Notre dame? would either be willing to join

(02-28-2016 01:52 PM)gosports1 Wrote:  so they are open to affiliate members and are doubtful any current members would start to sponsor the sport. I don't kniow if ASU would draw the interest of fans of schools such as Minnesota. Would the B10 consider north Dakota? Notre dame? would either be willing to join

Well, most of the WCHA's remaining strong programs left to create their own conference rather than hold steady in a conference with no Minnesota or Wisconsin. But are there any strong hockey programs that fit the B10's school profile? They added a lacrosse affiliate, but it was Johns Hopkins, an academic heavyweight.

A Big 10-NCHA scheduling agreement (either as a Big 10-ACC Challenge-style event or as a larger scheduling deal) wouldn't be the worst idea, particularly for the western Big 10 schools.

Still, if you've never paid even the slightest attention to college hockey, it must be through-the-looking-glass surreal to see Minnesota fans complaining about no longer playing Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota to step down to Big Ten play.

The Big Ten dug their own grave when it comes to hockey. I miss the CCHA.

I'm sure it will get better in time. It hurts to lose rivals and former conference mates but new rivalries will blossom, especially against schools you already hate from every other sport.

I deffinatly would prefer the old wcha over big ten. Much more history with the schools in hockey plus easier travel

I remember years ago there was some kind of arrangement between hockey east and the WCHA for scheduling. Minnesota and Wisconsin would play at providence. I seem to remember their banners hanging in the rafters, but that could be my imagination!

(02-28-2016 03:49 PM)gosports1 Wrote:  I remember years ago there was some kind of arrangement between hockey east and the WCHA for scheduling. Minnesota and Wisconsin would play at providence. I seem to remember their banners hanging in the rafters, but that could be my imagination!

All the Michigan schools and Notre Dame left for the CCHA, which had mostly Ohio schools and some lesser Michigan schools. The WCHA was down to six schools for awhile, while Hockey East had just broke free from the ECAC. Both needed each other for scheduling, and when they added enough teams, stopped the interlocking scedules.

Among Minnesota fans, there is a persistent rumor that North Dakota and Minn-Duluth will be invited to the Big Ten hockey conference. Don't know if that is grounded in wishful thinking or reality.

(02-28-2016 03:05 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I'm sure it will get better in time. It hurts to lose rivals and former conference mates but new rivalries will blossom, especially against schools you already hate from every other sport.

Penn St is the only school that love the new Big Ten hockey conference. Sell out crowds every time.

Many WCHA fans used to travel to away games. That not possible for Minnesota fans now. The atmosphere in Mariucci was electric and now it's dead.

(02-28-2016 07:18 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Among Minnesota fans, there is a persistent rumor that North Dakota and Minn-Duluth will be invited to the Big Ten hockey conference. Don't know if that is grounded in wishful thinking or reality.

I have not heard this. But I would welcome it in a heartbeat.

(02-28-2016 07:18 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Among Minnesota fans, there is a persistent rumor that North Dakota and Minn-Duluth will be invited to the Big Ten hockey conference. Don't know if that is grounded in wishful thinking or reality.

Complete 110% wishful thinking. There is legit conference-level interest in Arizona State as an associate member... and that's about it. Any other growth would need to come from within the Big Ten.

As for the Minnesota fan complaints... they are getting the benefit of being in the most powerful financial conference in the country combined with top tier academics. That program is getting tens and tens of millions of dollars per year from the likes of Penn State due to football. It may sound harsh, but their hockey concerns are completely irrelevant. As soon as PSU added hockey, the Big Ten hockey league was going to be formed. They need to get over it or choose to leave the B1G and give back their $30 million-plus per year. Those fans have no concept of the much much much bigger picture beyond their fiefdom.

W

(02-28-2016 08:05 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(02-28-2016 07:18 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Among Minnesota fans, there is a persistent rumor that North Dakota and Minn-Duluth will be invited to the Big Ten hockey conference. Don't know if that is grounded in wishful thinking or reality.

Complete 110% wishful thinking. There is legit conference-level interest in Arizona State as an associate member... and that's about it. Any other growth would need to come from within the Big Ten.

As for the Minnesota fan complaints... they are getting the benefit of being in the most powerful financial conference in the country combined with top tier academics. That program is getting tens and tens of millions of dollars per year from the likes of Penn State due to football. It may sound harsh, but their hockey concerns are completely irrelevant. As soon as PSU added hockey, the Big Ten hockey league was going to be formed. They need to get over it or choose to leave the B1G and give back their $30 million-plus per year. Those fans have no concept of the much much much bigger picture beyond their fiefdom.

Hockey will always he number one to Minnesotans. I could care less if our football team ever wins as Long as we are competitive in hockey.

(02-28-2016 07:42 PM)gopher952 Wrote:  

(02-28-2016 07:18 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Among Minnesota fans, there is a persistent rumor that North Dakota and Minn-Duluth will be invited to the Big Ten hockey conference. Don't know if that is grounded in wishful thinking or reality.

I have not heard this. But I would welcome it in a heartbeat.

There is a hockey centric gopher board called GopherPuckLive. A certain poster there claims he has inside information.

(02-28-2016 08:15 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(02-28-2016 07:42 PM)gopher952 Wrote:  

(02-28-2016 07:18 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Among Minnesota fans, there is a persistent rumor that North Dakota and Minn-Duluth will be invited to the Big Ten hockey conference. Don't know if that is grounded in wishful thinking or reality.

I have not heard this. But I would welcome it in a heartbeat.

There is a hockey centric gopher board called GopherPuckLive. A certain poster there claims he has inside information.

I will have to check it out. I hope it's true. North Dakota is my favorite hockey rival

(02-28-2016 08:05 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(02-28-2016 07:18 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Among Minnesota fans, there is a persistent rumor that North Dakota and Minn-Duluth will be invited to the Big Ten hockey conference. Don't know if that is grounded in wishful thinking or reality.

Complete 110% wishful thinking. There is legit conference-level interest in Arizona State as an associate member... and that's about it. Any other growth would need to come from within the Big Ten.

As for the Minnesota fan complaints... they are getting the benefit of being in the most powerful financial conference in the country combined with top tier academics. That program is getting tens and tens of millions of dollars per year from the likes of Penn State due to football. It may sound harsh, but their hockey concerns are completely irrelevant. As soon as PSU added hockey, the Big Ten hockey league was going to be formed. They need to get over it or choose to leave the B1G and give back their $30 million-plus per year. Those fans have no concept of the much much much bigger picture beyond their fiefdom.

Ariz St still hasn't started on their own rink. Doubt Ariz St gets added for B1G hockey until that happens.

Our fan base absolutely detests the idea of going B1G hockey. Highly doubt that it would happen, but we are practically the only fan base that fills opposing arenas now.

(02-28-2016 01:52 PM)gosports1 Wrote:  so they are open to affiliate members and are doubtful any current members would start to sponsor the sport. I don't kniow if ASU would draw the interest of fans of schools such as Minnesota. Would the B10 consider north Dakota? Notre dame? would either be willing to join

Notre Dame is doing well in Hockey East and has its own hockey TV contract with NBC Sports.

Hockey East membership matches up well with ACC membership for basketball, baseball and Olympic sports.

I seriously doubt any ND interest in a hockey affiliation with the Big Ten.

(02-28-2016 09:20 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(02-28-2016 01:52 PM)gosports1 Wrote:  so they are open to affiliate members and are doubtful any current members would start to sponsor the sport. I don't kniow if ASU would draw the interest of fans of schools such as Minnesota. Would the B10 consider north Dakota? Notre dame? would either be willing to join

Notre Dame is doing well in Hockey East and has its own hockey TV contract with NBC Sports.

Hockey East membership matches up well with ACC membership for basketball, baseball and Olympic sports.

I seriously doubt any ND interest in a hockey affiliation with the Big Ten.

I don't think there is a intrest on either side. Plus why leave a better league.