I'm a huge fan of college hockey. There are some interesting things happening in that sport this week.
First, the death knell has sounded for the College Hockey America (CHA) conference. The conference was down to four teams after some defections the last couple of years. With Niagara University and Robert Morris University jumping ship to join the Atlantic Hockey conference, only Bemidji State and Alabama-Huntsville are left. Bemidji as made it clear they intend to apply for membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and the WCHA has temporarily lifted their ban on expansion. This clears the way for them to apply for membership. It is unclear if they have the support of enough of the other schools to allow them to become members for men's hockey. Their women's hockey team already plays in the conference so it would seem like a natural fit. What happens to Alabama-Huntsville's program? Will there be a re-alignment shuffle with a team from the Central College Hockey Association (CCHA) joining Bemidji in the WCHA? The two CCHA teams most likely to make the switch are the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Northern Michigan University. If that happens will this allow Alabama-Huntsville to join the more geographically advantageous CCHA? Without a conference alignment it would be very difficult for either program to survive for long. That would be a shame as both teams have good history and loyal fans.
If UNO and Bemidji make the move to the WCHA this would put my three favorite teams (Bemidji, UNO and Minnesota) in the same conference. What will I do, then? Oh, the humanity!
The other news big news is the departure of Andrew Conboy from the Michigan State program after he was suspended for throwing a cheap shot at a Michigan player last weekend. I think he will turn pro and leave the college ranks all together. Good riddance.
First, the death knell has sounded for the College Hockey America (CHA) conference. The conference was down to four teams after some defections the last couple of years. With Niagara University and Robert Morris University jumping ship to join the Atlantic Hockey conference, only Bemidji State and Alabama-Huntsville are left. Bemidji as made it clear they intend to apply for membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and the WCHA has temporarily lifted their ban on expansion. This clears the way for them to apply for membership. It is unclear if they have the support of enough of the other schools to allow them to become members for men's hockey. Their women's hockey team already plays in the conference so it would seem like a natural fit. What happens to Alabama-Huntsville's program? Will there be a re-alignment shuffle with a team from the Central College Hockey Association (CCHA) joining Bemidji in the WCHA? The two CCHA teams most likely to make the switch are the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Northern Michigan University. If that happens will this allow Alabama-Huntsville to join the more geographically advantageous CCHA? Without a conference alignment it would be very difficult for either program to survive for long. That would be a shame as both teams have good history and loyal fans.
If UNO and Bemidji make the move to the WCHA this would put my three favorite teams (Bemidji, UNO and Minnesota) in the same conference. What will I do, then? Oh, the humanity!
The other news big news is the departure of Andrew Conboy from the Michigan State program after he was suspended for throwing a cheap shot at a Michigan player last weekend. I think he will turn pro and leave the college ranks all together. Good riddance.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Posts
Post a Comment