This is a hot topic right now on USCHO.  The question is, should the WCHA
allow Mankato State and Neb-Omaha to join?  Or should the league accept
only one of the teams?  Or should the league accept none of the teams and
allow the formation of a new Western Hockey Conference?
 
Here is my plan for WCHA Realignment.  I have given careful consideration
to all factors and have come up with a plan that I feel would work best
considering the circumstances.  Here it is:
_________________________________________________________________________________
WCHA (8 teams)         CCHA (10 teams)        New Western Conference (NWC)
 
North Dakota           Michigan               Neb-Omaha
Minnesota              Michigan State         Mankato State
Wisconsin              Ferris State           Bemidji State
St. Cloud              Western Michigan       Alaska-Anchorage
Michigan Tech          Northern Michigan      Alaska-Fairbanks
Denver                 Ohio State             Air Force (?)
Colorado College       Lake Superior State    Other Emerging Programs (?)
Minn-Duluth            Bowling Green
                       Notre Dame
                       Miami (OH)
_________________________________________________________________________________
 
A few comments:
 
* 8-team WCHA would allow each team to play each other team 4 times in a
season (7 x 4= 28), while still allowing a non-conference schedule.
 
* Moving UAF from the CCHA makes sense from a geographical standpoint.
UAA moving from the WCHA would give them a fresh start in a new conference
(they haven't had much success in the WCHA).
 
* Having UAF and UAA in the same conference would help maintain their
rivalry.  Also, I believe that the Alaska schools should be as far west as
possible.
 
* The CCHA would have an even number of teams (10), making scheduling
easier.  It would also give them more playoff format options.
 
* The New Conference would give emerging programs out west a place to play
once they've made the move up.
 
* Air Force is the wild card in this plan.  Would they be interested in
joining a conference?
 
* The members of the new conference would have plenty of scheduling room
for a solid non-conference schedule.
_________________________________________________________________________________
 
This would require some major cooperation between the WCHA, CCHA,
Independent Schools, NCAA, and the schools being asked to move.  But I
think that this plan has tremendous growth potential and would benefit all
of the schools involved.  Any other comments?
 
Brian.
(Hoping for an solution to this mess!)
 
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