College Hockey Expansion

[nodak651]

Incredibly difficult schedule.  Including two games vs minot state.  Just released.

https://www.sfuhockey.com/news/release-sfu-red-leafs-hockey-announces-non-conference-schedule-for-2023-24

FULL SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

09.08.23 @ UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA | 7:00pm PDT

09.09.23 @ TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY | 12.30pm PDT‍

09.22.23 vs. BRIERCREST COLLEGE | 7:00pm PDT

09.23.23 vs. BRIERCREST COLLEGE | 7:00pm PDT

09.30.23 @ UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | 4:00pm PDT

10.07.23 @ COLORADO COLLEGE | 6:00pm PDT

10.20.23 @ ADRIAN COLLEGE | 4:00pm PDT

10.21.23 @ LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY | 4:00pm PDT

11.03.23 @ UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH | 4:00pm PDT

11.04.23 @ ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY | 4:00pm PDT‍

11.17.23 vs. TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY | 7:00pm PST

11.18.23 vs. TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY | 7:00pm PST‍

11.25.23 @ LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY | 4:00pm PST

11.26.23 @ ARCADIA UNIVERSITY | 4:00pm PST

01.05.24 @ BOSTON UNIVERSITY | 4:00pm PST

01.06.24 @ BOSTON COLLEGE | 4:00pm PST‍

01.27.24 vs. UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA | 7:00pm PST‍

02.16.24 @ MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY | 5:30pm PST

02.17.24 @ MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY | 5:30pm PST

[Blackheart]

6 hours ago, nodak651 said:

Interesting development.

 

So Mel tried to cancel it but cooler heads prevailed?

[The Sicatoka]

18 minutes ago, Blackheart said:

So Mel tried to cancel it but cooler heads prevailed?

UMich couldn't find the $10k cancellation fee to back out in the couch cushions. Gotta play now. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2023/09/11/in-sunny-san-diego-aztec-ice-hockey-team-reaches-for-national-prominence/

More ACHA Div 1 teams in the southwest is a good thing.

[omahasioux1]

3 hours ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2023/09/11/in-sunny-san-diego-aztec-ice-hockey-team-reaches-for-national-prominence/

More ACHA Div 1 teams in the southwest is a good thing.

UNLV has standing room only in a small rink. Electric atmosphere but I don't see them hitting the big time anytime soon.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

1 hour ago, omahasioux1 said:

UNLV has standing room only in a small rink. Electric atmosphere but I don't see them hitting the big time anytime soon.

Not without someone building them a rink on campus. Too bad the AHL rink wasn't done that way.

A higher level of club hockey in the area makes it easier for USC or Arizona to elevate if they ever get (and accept) a golden goose. Those are the two to watch in the region.

[Esoteric]

21 hours ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Not without someone building them a rink on campus. Too bad the AHL rink wasn't done that way.

A higher level of club hockey in the area makes it easier for USC or Arizona to elevate if they ever get (and accept) a golden goose. Those are the two to watch in the region.

Being in Tucson I would love U of A to start a Division 1 hockey program.  More chances to catch the Sioux for some live in-person games.

[cberkas]

https://x.com/thenvindy/status/1707136374850421151?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w
 

Coyotes owner building an arena for Nevada to use for basketball and will have the ability to have hockey. 

[cberkas]

A HUGE MILESTONE | SFU at Michigan In Review 09.30.23 | SFU Red Leafs Hockey (sfuhockey.com)

[cberkas]

https://x.com/UNCCHockeyClub/status/1708597982671630694?s=20

 

An outdoor in in October seems early for an outdoor game.

[cberkas]

https://x.com/spittinchiclets/status/1705925892604563784?s=20

Impressive save with the goalie being backwards. 

[cberkas]

So happen to ask an Arizona guy when they will move up and he said $5 million donation and that the arena will be 3000 seats. I’d like to see Arizona And UNLV move up since they are the two that could do it.

[nodak651]

Their goal is to start with a club program that will begin play in the 2024-25 season. In 2025-26, TSU will have a "hybrid season" in which it will seek to play a mix of club teams and Division I teams with the belief that TSU will be a full-fledged D-I program by the 2026-27 campaign.

 

[cberkas]

https://x.com/hockeyhousepod/status/1715403308301512758?s=20

Some ACHA vs NCAA this weekend, most are NCAA D3 and Ferris State

[cberkas]

On 10/20/2023 at 12:00 PM, cberkas said:

https://x.com/hockeyhousepod/status/1715403308301512758?s=20

Some ACHA vs NCAA this weekend, most are NCAA D3 and Ferris State

Jamestown split with Concordia Moorhead

Ohio lost 2-0

URI lost 3-2 

The other games were blowouts.

[nodak651]

Atlantic Hockey is looking to expand again
https://www.collegehockeyinsider.com/p/338-atlantic-hockey-accepting-expansion

NEC is now home to two independents, LIU and Stonehill, now that Sacred Heart and Merrimac left.
Bently and Mercyhurst have been rumored as potential options for the NEC for non-hockey reasons.

[cberkas]

https://x.com/hockeyhousepod/status/1718022837577928992?s=20

Plan to build a 2000 seat arena near campus. So now North Carolina will play closer instead of the Hurricanes practice facility.  

[cberkas]

https://x.com/hockeyhousepod/status/1720092197012521345?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w
 

Austin Peay announces they are starting a club team that will go D1. They will use the practice rink at F&M Arena.

https://x.com/austinpeay/status/1719398871657267353?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w
 

https://x.com/austinpeay/status/1719815596643172711?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w

[NoiseInsideMyHead]

2 hours ago, cberkas said:

https://x.com/hockeyhousepod/status/1720092197012521345?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w
 

Austin Peay announces they are starting a club team that will go D1. They will use the practice rink at F&M Arena.

https://x.com/austinpeay/status/1719398871657267353?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w
 

https://x.com/austinpeay/status/1719815596643172711?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w

Austin Peay?  Antarctic Blue. The sports wagon!  This isn’t even the right model.

[Blackheart]

12 hours ago, NoiseInsideMyHead said:

Austin Peay?  Antarctic Blue. The sports wagon!  This isn’t even the right model.

You think you hate it now?  Wait until you drive it.

[nodak651]

On 11/2/2023 at 4:14 PM, cberkas said:

https://x.com/hockeyhousepod/status/1720092197012521345?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w
 

Austin Peay announces they are starting a club team that will go D1. They will use the practice rink at F&M Arena.

https://x.com/austinpeay/status/1719398871657267353?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w
 

https://x.com/austinpeay/status/1719815596643172711?s=46&t=6OJZ6ITVGqkpxh1tV3AL6w

https://clarksvillenow.com/local/apsu-announces-new-club-hockey-team-first-step-toward-ncaa-sanctioned-sport-at-ford-ice-center/

The new Austin Peay club hockey team plans to compete in the College Hockey South association and, according to Athletics Director Gerald Harrison, this is the first step toward building an NCAA-sanctioned college hockey team.

“When you look at it, there’s some things we need to do,” Harrison said. “We’re going to get some great sample size; we’re going to see the energy and passion in the community, as well as the students. If this works itself out and grows, then sure we’ll have the opportunity to look at that going into the future. But this is the first step of many.”

[nodak651]

Northern Arizona officially got approval to move up to ACHA D1 and it sounds like they are close to getting a new on campus arena.  NAU administration dragging their feet and getting the ice plant installed and a zamboni.  Update 9/20/23:  Today, the university began the installation of several components of an ice rink - boards and glass. There is also sport court being installed. This is a HUGE step in the right direction!  However, the university has no intention of spending the extra money on getting zambonis and a chiller, which are really the only two large pieces remaining to make this Multi Purpose Area suitable for an ice rink. Basically, 50-75% of the components are either already in the building or are on the way.  Why won't the university just pull the trigger on the small amount we have left?

[cberkas]

There have been a few teams moving up to ACHA D1. 

[nodak651]

Would be cool to see a little hotbed in the SW form someday with ASU, Arizona, NAU, UNLV.  There's potential at least.  Could see Grand Canyon throw money at it as well.

[nodak651]

Just now, cberkas said:

There have been a few teams moving up to ACHA D1. 

Yeah, I think Oregon and San Diego did last year.  Collegiate Consulting who does the NHL feasibility studies tweeted and then deleted a tweet that said San Diego was doing a study.  The university later denied it.  Smoke is there... something was discussed.  Collegiate Consulting did the same thing with Navy, who was reportedly close to pulling the trigger.  San Diego will need clarity with their conference situation before they take any steps obviously.  

Greg Flugar reported that Oregon told the Big Ten at one point that they would be willing to start a hockey program.

Iowa State is finally back, after their program was suspended and shut down for a year or two.

Of course, new programs at FBS schools would be amazing and great for the growth of the game, but I think if I got to choose two schools to add hockey, I'd maybe look at Green Bay and Milwaukee.  Both schools already have arenas that would work and it would be great for travel and the budgets of the CCHA programs.  Better visibility in Wisconsin and in Milwaukee (near Chicago) would be great for the game as well.  

I think Roosevelt, which is moving to D2 currently, could be a school that has the potential to suprise everyone with an announcement, as well.  They play out of the Blackhawks old practice facility.