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Date: | Tue, 28 Apr 1998 17:48:58 -0500 |
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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:
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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)
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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.
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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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