This thread has migrated to HOCKEY-L,  but it is also relevant to HOCKEY
3.
 
        I am under a couple of impressions which may,  or may not,  be right.
 
1.   An institution is not considered D-1 in a sport until it has served
its probationary period,  no matter how many D-1 games it schedules during
the probationary period.   Thus QC was "considered" D-2 last year despite
scheduling several D-1 games (Fairfield,  Iona,  Holy Cross,  perhaps
Army).   What level were Niagara,  UNO,  and Mankato "considered" last
year?
 
2.   I think that the ECAC East (and West,  for that matter) did not get
D-3 automatic bids while the SUNYAC did  --  for the same reason the NCHA
does not and the MIAC does.   Namely,  these conferences are not completely
D-3 conferences.   Doesn't (or didn't) the NCHA have Bemidji who are (were)
D-2,  and won't they get their bid back when Bemidji leaves?   Perhaps I
have juxtaposed the conferences not being a D-3 west expert and have also
gotten the abbreviations wrong,  but I think most folks know what I am
trying to say here.
 
        Comments?
 
        -- Dick Tuthill
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.