It's now apparent that the CCHA is dead.
WMU and BGSU (both of the MAC) still have a month to respond.
They are hedging their bets, relating to where Notre Dame goes, and possible invitations to the NCHC.

We can now infer that the 4 AHA teams are staying put, and UAH is unlikely to get an invitation to a conference.

Perhaps the only scenario for UAH, is if Notre Dame were to jin Hockey East, and pull a team along from the ECAC or AHA for 12.
This then leaves a hole in the ECAC or AHA. the ECAC fills their hole by raiding the AHA.
So then there could be a #12 slot in the AHA for UAH...
The AHA has to deal with travel to CoOlorado Springs for USAFA, so maybe Huntsville isn't unthinkable.

Tute79,thanks for the post.

CHN article discussing the WCHA invites to BGSU and WMU at http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2 ... assess.php

Article out of Kalamazoo discussing WMU hockey conference decision at http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/ ... key_m.html

Article out of StCloud discussing SCSU hockey program and possibility that they may be matched up with WMU for a NCHC bid if ND decides to head East.
Link at http://www.sctimes.com/article/20110901 ... sor-s-time

Maybe they are thinking about "travel partners".

Assume the NCHC wants to go to 8.

Right now:
CC- DU
UNO - UND - UMD
Miami

St. Cloud could pair with Minnesota- Duluth, and WMU or Notre Dame with Miami of Ohio.

APPARENTLY.... Notre Dame has been dragging their feet, because in the Grander scheme of things, there is a certain likelihood that they could join the B1G TEN for all sports.
In which case, Notre Dame Hockey would go to the BTHC.

I assume there has been some communicatin between the new NCHC and both WMU and BGSU, which has led them to believe that under certain scenarios,
they may be invited to the NCHC.

So both schools and the WCHA are left hanging. The WCHA had given the schools 30 days to respond to their invitation. I wonder if that will be extended....
Pretty sure both schools are in the following position - Preference: NCHC, Fall-back plan: WCHA.

At the very least, one would thing that Notre Dame at this point sould make it known which conference they would choose IF the Big Ten thing doesn't happen....
If it were Hockey East, then the NCHC and WMU and BGSU can move on with their lives....
Maybe Hockey East has been a complete "smoke screen" to cover up the Big Ten negotiations.

Tute79,thanks for the post.

Article out of Denver with report that NCHC has invited SCSU and WMU to join.Link at http://www.denverpost.com/du/ci_18945076

So with all the hand-wringing over this realignment, it has the potential to end in a very orderly situation.

Right now, the NCHC (at 8) is set up iwth ravel partners:
CC-DU
UNO-North Dakota
UMD-St. Cloud St.
WMU
Miami

WMU and Miami could become each other's travel partner OR
Notre Dame - WMU is a nice pairing and so is Miami - BGSU.

Don't know at this point if BGSU has been informed whether they might get an NCHC invitation, or if they should "make other plans" (WCHA)....
Notre Dame "will make a decision within 10 days".
DO NOT hold your breath waiitng for that....


Meanwhile WCHA has a line-up (currently at 8) that could be paired up:
2 Alaska teams
2 Minnesota teams
4 Michigan teams.


Hanging out there in limbo are Notre Dame, BGSU, and UA-Huntsville (I feel sorry for them - geographic outcasts).

Tute79,thanks for the post.

Article out of Grand Forks discussing college hockey conference realignment and Notre Dame at http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/a ... p/homepage

Article out of Toledo reporting that the WCHA has extended it's membership offer deadline to BGSU to Oct 7.Link at http://www.toledoblade.com/BGSU/2011/09 ... ockey.html

Good find, Freaked.

So we are getting to the end.

Notre Dame evidently committed to making their choice known by 10/7 (their asst. AD had said "within 10 days").

NCHC is sitting at 8, with an offer ot-standing to Notre Dame.
If Notre Dame says yes, BGSU gets invited as #10.
WMU becomes travel partner for Notre Dame, Miami becomes travel partner for BGSU.
If Notre Dame says no, NCHC stays at 8,
Miami and WMU are then travel partners.
In the latter scenario, BGSU would join the WCHA.

So what are Notre Dame's options ?
a) Big Ten Hockey Conf. (supposedly only happens, if Notre Dame agrees to join Big Ten for all sports).
b) NCHC (I think this is the leading option, unless Notre Dame shocks us all with a)).
c) Hockey East... is this a "red herring ?" Frankly, I don't see he need for all this travel related to a non-revenue sport.
d) Independence ... a pain in the butt for scheduling / TV contract, but Notre Dame is used to being unconventional.
In the case of hockey, I don't think there is a"driver" or any sort of alumni / booster sentiment for independence.

Tute79,thanks for the post.

Article out of Bowling Green with more on BGSU hockey conference situation plus speculation that the WCHA would like to add some eastern schools for geographic balance.Link at http://www.sent-trib.com/bgsu-sports/de ... on-9-22-11

Article out of Huntsville with comments from WCHA Commish and others regarding UAH hockey conference situation.Link at http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011 ... _froz.html

Interesting...

So if BGSU comes into the WCHA for 9, they could use a travel partner (1 or 3 AHA teams would give the WCHA an even number).
However, this summer the AHA schools had expressed a distaste for having to travel to Alaska, and there is no way they escape that in the WCHA
(unless they somehow minimize it with East and West divisions).

Air force went to the AHA for competitive reasons. Withe D-1 schools out of the WCHA (possible exception is BGSU / AHA schools) the competition level may be reduced, and
maybe Air Force could handle the WCHA level of play going forward. You'd think USAFA travel would be reduced in the WCHA, but in actuality, Colorado Springs wiould be isolated,
and they'd have to fly everywhere (Alaska, Minnesota, Michigan....), so it might not be that less burdensome than the AHA is now.

IF a bunch of teams were to leave the AHA, it just might open a slot for UAH, and save their program.

Should know more when Notre Dame makes their decision public.....

Tute79,thanks for the post.

Article out of Bowling Green discussing possibility that BGSU wanted 2 week WCHA membership offer deadline extention in order to try and cobble together enough schools to save the CCHA.Certain Atlantic Hockey league schools and Buffalo were mentioned as possibilities.Link at http://www.sent-trib.com/bgsu-sports/bu ... st-9-25-11