It sounds to me Bowling Green wants to be the one calling the shots in a hockey conference, or at least have more of a say then they are probably getting in the WCHA. If Bowling Green wants to get a invite to the NCHC they better put more of an effort into their hockey program, and not let it get on life-support again.
Iowa State would be a program to add to the NCHC, if I remember right the Hilton Coliseum has ice making ability. Arizona State and Iowa State would be playing in facilities mainly used by basketball until they build a hockey arena that seats at least 5,000.
Two other Ohio schools that could go D1 are Cincinnati and Ohio. Cincinnati has an 10,000 seat arena they share with Xavier University's hockey team, the Cincinnati Gardens. I'm sure the Cincinnati Gardens will need updates and Cincinnati has the U.S. Bank Arena on the waterfront that they might have to use if they went D1 and joined the NCHC. Ohio University would need a donor to get their program to a D1 level including an arena.
Arizona surprisingly plays in an arena that seats at least 5,000 for hockey. There has been talk in Tucson about a new convention center and a plan to renovate the Tucson Convention Center where Arizona plays.
I don't know why Lindenwood hasn't taken advantage of the 9,643 seat Family Arena in St. Charles. I don't see Lindenwood in the NCHC but they'd be a good fit in the WCHA men's and women's. A former CCHA team, St. Louis University, has a 10,600 seat Chaifetz Arena. With how popular hockey is and talent coming from the St. Louis area you'd' think Missouri, St, Louis, and Lindenwood would think of making the jump to D1.
I never understood why Colorado and Colorado State don't have D1 hockey.