DenverDevil

Thought you all would like reading this letter from our coach Greg Powers to ASU fans: Men's Ice Hockey July 7, 2023 by Greg Powers, Sun Devil Hockey Head Coach From One Sun Devil to Another Sun Devil Nation: After seven full years of Division I play, we have finally found a home with the best conference in college hockey, the NCHC. It cannot be overstated how important this day is for Sun Devil Hockey. We owe everything we are to our incredible alumni that chose to help build an independent program out of Oceanside Ice Arena. There were more unknowns than anything. More road games than home games, an entire season on the road, etc... but they chose to "Be The Tradition" and for that, we are forever grateful to every player that has worn our jersey these last seven years. Without our alumni's willingness to "Be The Tradition," our membership in the NCHC never happens. Being an independent program has shaped our identity and allowed us to build our program on our terms. We have had so many great moments during our independent tenure, including being the only independent program to qualify for the NCAA tournament in the past 30 years. We would have made a second-straight tournament berth the following year, but the season was canceled due to COVID, which took away a ton of our momentum as a program. After one more year of independent play in 2023-24, we will embark on a new era of Sun Devil Hockey in the NCHC. The ability to play for a championship, earn an NCAA Tournament automatic bid and develop conference rivals with the most storied programs in college hockey now awaits. Without the tremendous support of our fans, this day also never happens. As part of the Mullett Maniacs, you put on an incredible gameday experience at Mullett Arena, which makes us very attractive to any conference. THANK YOU, Sun Devil Nation, for your support in getting us here and your continued support as we launch into this new era of Sun Devil Hockey. Finally, the irony of having 26 home games to celebrate our final year as an independent is something we are very excited about. This year we play for our alumni and our fans, with a chip on our shoulder just as our former players did to put us in this position. This year we will "Be The Tradition", to celebrate our Tradition. Let's Rock The Mullett 26 more times as an independent and celebrate our program together, Sun Devil Nation... FORKS UP! Sincerely, Greg Powers Head Coach, Sun Devil Hockey

I feel there are 4 PAC schools right now who could make the jump to NCAA D1 if they wanted to. U4 (UofA), Colorado, Utah and Oregon. And I'd love to see all of them go D1. UofA used to have a dominant ACHA program in the 1990's. It fell off around the time ASU's ACHA program started to elevate itself towards a National Championship under Greg Powers (who is still our coach). So there's a strong following down there. There's also a lot of roller hockey league's in Tucson as well. All four of them have really nice off campus facilities that are way better than what ASU had at Oceanside Arena (a dump for sure). CU has their rink right on campus and it could easily be expanded. That takes away the #1 issue with trying to go D1. Now they just need to figure out how to finance the program and the women's sports which would need to be added for Title IX. Phil Knight at Oregon could write a check today if they asked. The others could look at cutting some men's sports if they wanted to. I know a lot of schools are looking at that right now, but ASU showing that the program can be profitable is a major factor I think.

The topics are endless but primarily focused on Football and then Men's basketball. After that it's baseball, but hockey is slowly starting to get more coverage. The great news is that our new arena has sold out its games, minus some of the premium seats in the "club" at center ice. The student body has also shown that they've bought into the program as that section is packed every game. Finally, ASU hockey is showing a $2.5M profit, making it the only sport after football and men's basketball to do so. Baseball is basically break even while everything else operates at a deficit as expected.

ASU has 2 main active sites, both Rivals and Scout, but the Hockey information is limited but getting better.

ASU did beat #6 UND on neutral ice last season, 3-2 The last few years since covid, when ASU played every game on the road in the B1G, the program lost its early momentum. BUT, with the new arena and a great class and transfers coming in, we expect to be back up competing to make the NCAA Tourney. Obviously we're not in the same class as historic elite programs like UND and DU, but we should be consistently competitive.

I just heard last week, and confirmed with an additional source, that ASU Hockey is formally applying to the NCHC conference. Living in Denver, with DU and CC right here, I love this. Hoping the process moves quickly and ASU is playing in the NCHC starting in the 2024-25 season.

Here's the latest update on the new ASU Hockey Arena. On track to open for the 2022 season. ASU Hockey Arena

Just wanted to give you all the latest on Arizona State! We are getting ready to put shovels in the dirt on a new 5,000 seat on campus arena ASU Announces New Arena ASU Arena Renderings Photo Gallery I'm still hearing that the NCHC is the targeted destination for ASU Hockey but that decision is still at least another season away. For me in Denver I'd love the NCHC as it gives me home games against DU and CC but I could also see the benefits of ASU joining the B1G with the whole "like institutions". I'm just excited to see we're finally building the arena!

The only thing I've just noticed is that Utah made the jump to ACHA D1, which is a step in the right direction. With ASU allegedly breaking ground on a new arena soon I suspect they'll want to make a conference decision by after next season at the latest. My heart still says that the NCHC or B10 are the most logical conferences. The WCHA is to much in flux and while I've heard the rumors about Hockey East I just don't see that as a draw. If ASU keeps playing well I think we'll start to see more "western/PAC" schools begin to get their ducks in a row to make a D1 move. I still think were at least a decade away from any type of true western/PAC conference that would make sense. Would love some games in Grand Forks! Miss those chocolate covered potato chips!

The original plan was to have it connected to Desert Financial Arena. After a survey of the area they found that rock from the butte was to close to the surface making excavation cost prohibitive. Now the plan, as I've heard it, is to build where Packard Stadium (old baseball stadium) currently still sits. The area where the fraternities once were is already being developed with housing and a hotel.

Sun Devil here. thought I'd chime in on what I've been hearing re: PAC schools 1. ASU is going to be breaking ground on a new on campus arena. Hearing it will seat between 4000-5000. Sources say they love the idea of seating 4242 in honor of Pat Tillman. With our recent success in beating some big teams (Denver last weekend) and getting some NHL drafted recruits, ASU is showing the PAC what's possible. In terms of PAC schools that could go D1 easiest we have: 1. Colorado - they already play ACHA D1 and have a nice little on campus arena that could easily be expanded. They are also not going to be creating a baseball or softball team and a few higher up boosters have been talking to the administration about seriously looking at D1 Hockey. 2. Arizona - our hated rival but they also have 2 important components in place. They already play ACHA D1 and they already have a nice arena at the Tucson Convention Center. 3. Utah - haven't heard much since that article came out in 2014 but I could see them wanting to make the jump. 4. Oregon - Phil Knight $$. If they want to do it they just have to ask. Finally, when are we going to see ASU and UND play?? Would love to have a home and home series with you guys.

We, ASU, just announced the plans to build our on campus Hockey arena. It will be between 4,300 and 5,000 seats and house Hockey, wrestling and gymnastics and will connect via a sky bridge to our basketball arena which will be refurbished as well. Still hearing that ASU is looking at the NCHC for their eventual conference. Arizona State's new Hockey Arena