Arizona State D1 Hockey

[IrishSiouxFan]

I was surprised to hear during the second period intermission last night that ASU is considering starting a D1 hockey program.  Their AD thinks they'll need bout $40 million to start one up and rumor is that they may have some big donors interested in getting it started.  What do you guys think about this? Is it good for college hockey? What conference would they join if they did make the jump?  

 

http://www.houseofsparky.com/2014/7/14/5900007/asu-hockey-ncaa-ray-anderson-title-ix

[NoDakFan]

I think it would be good for college hockey. With a big time school like that interested in hockey, it would draw some other programs in and expand the game aorund the nation and in the south. It might also help with recruiting and keeping kids out of the CHL.

As to the conference, the only feasible ones they would join would be either the WCHA or the NCHC. And you can bet the NCHC would make a major push. The only other option would be to get at least 5 other PAC-12 schools to start a hockey program, which doesn't seem possible at the moment.

[geaux_sioux]

It would be great for college hockey. We need more big name power five schools to join.

[sioux24/7]

I think it would be good for college hockey but I think ASU would become a major threat very quick. 

[nodak651]

I'd be fine with it.  I think the bigger College hockey gets, the easier it will be to steal prospects from the chl.

[IrishSiouxFan]

I think it would be good for college hockey. With a big time school like that interested in hockey, it would draw some other programs in and expand the game aorund the nation and in the south. It might also help with recruiting and keeping kids out of the CHL.

As to the conference, the only feasible ones they would join would be either the WCHA or the NCHC. And you can bet the NCHC would make a major push. The only other option would be to get at least 5 other PAC-12 schools to start a hockey program, which doesn't seem possible at the moment.

I'm not entirely sure that the NCHC hasn't already reached out to ASU.  The Commish was pretty tight lipped about it last night, but he also didn't deny it.  ASU fans would also bring lots of new subscribers to the NCHC TV, that would be extremely profitable.  I think it's very plausible that a school the size of ASU could muster up the money to build a program.  I would think they would score the majority of the better players out of California. 

[Fetch]

If they get in the NCHC I can see a away game weekend in Arizona someday - better book Allegent air early

[cberkas]

I did put it in the College Hockey Expansion thread. Let's Play Hockey said their source said that Arizona State would play NCAA D1 as a independent in 2016/17 and play at Wells Fargo Arena-Tempe. The ASU hockey team and Don Levin the owner of the AHL Chicago Wolves have denied Let's Play Hockey's reports, but nothing has come from Arizona State or the Athletic Department at ASU. I'm sure Josh Fenton is on top of Arizona State adding hockey and getting them in the NCHC. 

[farce poobah]

I get a vision

A vision of another road game (this time in Tempe) where the home team needs to score first to take the crowd out of it.

I am all for it.

[brianvf]

I'm ALL for this.

Simply because that would make an easy 30min drive to see the Sioux in person when they visit ASU. 

[IrishSiouxFan]

Slightly off the topic, but does anyone have an idea of what the NCHC TV subscription figures are looking like this season?

[SiouxVolley]

The CBS Sports Network would pretty much demand the NCHC adds Arizona State, just for a big time market.  Miami and WMU probably won't like it, but the NCHC maybe adds Bowling Green to placate the MAC schools and go to ten teams

[Smoggy]

Let's say this does happen.  Shouldn't NCHC leave a spot open in case another power 5 school starts up?  The big downside would be that they could wait a while.

[SiouxVolley]

Let's say this does happen.  Shouldn't NCHC leave a spot open in case another power 5 school starts up?  The big downside would be that they could wait a while.

Maybe Arizona, Utah, or Iowa State would take the plunge if another P5 school does so first.  The P5 schools have a lot of money now with the new TV contracts.  I still think Miami and WMU are flight risks to a new CCHA if Bowling Green can't go too, as they don't they like the expenses of flying out west. 

[gfhockey]

We need fan bases that travel

Send miami back to ccha.

Their fans don't know how to party.

[Cratter]

We need fan bases that travel

Send miami back to ccha.

Their fans don't know how to party.

 

There players do. They were at Joe Blacks Saturday after the game.

[Blackheart]

We need fan bases that travel

Send miami back to ccha.

Their fans don't know how to party.

time to let Mom or Dad use the computer now junior...

[IrishSiouxFan]

Maybe Arizona, Utah, or Iowa State would take the plunge if another P5 school does so first.  The P5 schools have a lot of money now with the new TV contracts.  I still think Miami and WMU are flight risks to a new CCHA if Bowling Green can't go too, as they don't they like the expenses of flying out west. 

I haven't hard anything about the possibility of a new CCHA, link?  I think Miami would stay but I wouldn't at all be sad to watch Western Mich. depart.  I'm honestly not sure what they bring to the table. 

[SiouxVolley]

I haven't hard anything about the possibility of a new CCHA, link?  I think Miami would stay but I wouldn't at all be sad to watch Western Mich. depart.  I'm honestly not sure what they bring to the table. 

There was talk in a Bowling Green paper that BGSU in not happy with the WCHA.  They want Buffalo and the two other MAC schools to invite some Atlantic Hockey teams to start a new CCHA.  If the NCHC gets too western for travel, Miami and WMU would likely want bus trips instead of plane trips. 

[.357]

I'm ALL for this.

Simply because that would make an easy 30min drive to see the Sioux in person when they visit ASU. 

I live in the Valley also. 

 

If attendance at ASU games would be similar to those at Coyotes games, then it wouldn't be a good idea. But then again, if the arena is centrally located, who knows. 

 

I'm all for expansion, as long as there will be local support & not expansion just for the sake of expansion. Also, will there be enough D1 level recruits to accompany this overall nationwide expansion or will we start to see the current high talent level in college hockey start to diminish? Basically, do we need to start up other D1 programs because there are all these grade A talents who are going to Canada because there aren't any scholarships left at American colleges?

 

Just think the process through before committing to a (possible) failed experiment. Regardless of the sport, you can't expand beyond any given sport's talent pool without seeing a diminished level of play at some point.

[geaux_sioux]

I live in the Valley also.

If attendance at ASU games would be similar to those at Coyotes games, then it wouldn't be a good idea. But then again, if the arena is centrally located, who knows.

I'm all for expansion, as long as there will be local support & not expansion just for the sake of expansion. Also, will there be enough D1 level recruits to accompany this overall nationwide expansion or will we start to see the current high talent level in college hockey start to diminish? Basically, do we need to start up other D1 programs because there are all these grade A talents who are going to Canada because there aren't any scholarships left at American colleges?

Just think the process through before committing to a (possible) failed experiment. Regardless of the sport, you can't expand beyond any given sport's talent pool without seeing a diminished level of play at some point.

There are plenty of players in Europe and Canada to fill many more rosters.

[mksioux]

I have no idea if ASU will go DI, but if they do, I don't buy that it will start a domino effect on other P5 schools.  As I've said after Penn State went DI, P5 or not, any school will need a major benefactor to add DI hockey.  

 

And if ASU goes DI, I'm not at all convinced they'll join the NCHC.  They'd probably view being independent to be more appealing. 

[UNDColorado]

If we have to add Bowling green along with ASU to keep WMU and Miami happy I am all for it. That would be four FBS schools in the conference.

[#MACtion]

If we have to add Bowling green along with ASU to keep WMU and Miami happy I am all for it. That would be four FBS schools in the conference.

 

Getting Iowa State spooled up and on board would be much better than adding Arizona State in my opinion.  Iowa State is located perfectly in the footprint, would add to the TV deal with their Cyclone TV and Big 12 connections, and would have much better fan support and would be a much better rival than sparky who would be looking to get out of the NCHC as soon as they lobbied enough PAC12 schools who want to fill the PAC12 Network with new content.  The Big 12 isn't going to have their own network and there is little risk of Iowa State ever leaving.

 

Iowa State needs to find the financial donor and the NCHC should be pushing hard to add them.  Then add Colorado State or BG.

 

There is not a better fit than Iowa State in my opinion.  Adding BG would then make it a tight 10.

 

[IrishSiouxFan]

I have no idea if ASU will go DI, but if they do, I don't buy that it will start a domino effect on other P5 schools.  As I've said after Penn State went DI, P5 or not, any school will need a major benefactor to add DI hockey.  

 

And if ASU goes DI, I'm not at all convinced they'll join the NCHC.  They'd probably view being independent to be more appealing. 

I would think being independent would be a worst case scenario, especially for a school just starting out.  Scheduling would be a nightmare, not to mention the inability of selling recruits on the potential for playing for a conference championship for an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.  I think if they do make the jump it will be with the assurance that either the NCHC or WCHA have a spot for them.  I would be fine with WMU and Bowling Green taking off from their conferences to start something new. But I just don't see Miami following suit.  I think they and their fans like the competition level in the NCHC and are selling enough tickets to justify the expense, leaving for a watered down CCHA would hurt their program.  And even though they arent a powerhouse I wouldn't mind if the NCHC made another play for Air Force.  They may not have as nice of facilities as the other members of the conference but their fan base could mean increased revenue for NCHC TV.