If this proceeds beyond the exploratory stage, I wonder what it will do to
Niagara's rumored plans to apply for CCHA membership in the future.  Assuming
that Michigan Tech does make the jump and no other CCHA programs drop hockey
(or apply to the WCHA), Niagara would be trying to become the 13th CCHA team
when they apply, a number that seems a bit unwieldy to me.  (No, I wasn't
following the ECAC back in their 17- to 18-team days, before they formed
divisions)  Maybe the Purple Eagles would then consider Hockey East?  (Or the
new league, but Niagara seems more interested in joining a well-established
conference )
 
For that matter, if Michigan Tech joins the CCHA, and the teams continue to
play three league games against each other, that would give them each 33
regular- season games... awfully close to the NCAA limit of 34.  Granted, the
teams will have some leeway with Alaska-Fairbanks in the mix (OK, the Nanooks
won't have any), but that still doesn't leave much room for holiday tourneys
and the like. Or would Alaska-Fairbanks then jump to the WCHA? :-)
 
--
Disclaimer -- Unless otherwise noted, all opinions expressed above are
              strictly those of:
 
Bill Fenwick
Cornell '86 and '95                                             DJF  5/27/94
LET'S GO RED!!                                                  JCF  12/2/97
"A friend of mine became a billionaire by inventing Cliff Notes.  When I
 asked him where he got such a great idea, he said, 'Well, to make a long
 story short...'"
-- Steven Wright
 
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