We've been over this subject, at least lightly, on previous occasions.  The
fact that Niagara is/may be building a new rink and is/may be interested in
elevating its program does not in and of itself mean they'll be able to do
so.  To use a seasonally-apt analogy, it's like finding a trick-or treater at
your door -- just because Niagara (or UConn, or Middlebury, to name others
recently rumored to have Div. I aspirations) presents itself to Hockey East
or the ECAC does not mean the conference has to accept them (treat); it's
just as likely they'd be rejected (trick) for one reason or another.  Adding
another school to either league presents immediate scheduling problems, not
to mention the disruption of the *buddy system* of road-trip *partners* to
facilitate travel.
 
Look at what's happened to the East division of the ECAC Div III schedule:
 so many teams that everyone plays each other just once.  That kind of
arrangement does nothing to promote or encourage or develop natural
rivalries, IMHO.
 
And as to recurring rumors of RPI looking to jump ship from the ECAC: they
made up their minds last year, after intensive study, to stay put.  That
one's a dead issue, as far as I know.
 
Still, it's all good hot-stove discussion material, if nothing else.
 
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