Let's make an 6-team "WCHA" and a 6-team "CHA".
* 20 conference games (4 vs each opponent),
* plus 8 "joint scheduled games (4 series vs the other league).
* Each year, the bottom team in the WCHA gets demoted, and the CHA champion gets promoted.
Advantages:
1) Two auto bids.
2) Preserves Bemidji, Huntsville and other good hockey schools' D1 teams.
3) Preserves traditional rivalries.
4) Leaves room for 4-6 other games, such as GLI, Showcase, etc etc.
5) Familiar to fans of European football.
Disadvantages:
1) Fewer games for UND vs Mankato.
2) Juggling schedules.
3) Don't know if special approval needed from NCAA re conference membership.