On Wed, 25 Mar 1998, Eeyore wrote:
 
> Eric J. Burton wrote:
> > bar room talk. I would say that the WCHA will probably let in one or two
> > more teams but I doubt there will be any more than that.
> Then we're going to have to find somewhere else to put teams.  It seems to me
> that Div II hockey is in the process of folding up its tent, particularly out
> here in the west.
 
D-II is basically dead in the west anyways. Bemidji and Findlay are the
only western D-II teams, and Bemidji is seriously (as you alluded to)
considering the move up. If their new arena is approved, I think it's a
certainty.
 
That said, something is going to have to give eventually. We're at a
point where all the leagues are basically at what they can handle. I
think leagues are going to be very reticent to expand beyond 12 teams.
This is, I think, why Niagara is having trouble finding a home, and why
UNO is considering the CCHA.
 
My prediction? For starters, Big 10 Hockey by 2003. I'm not sure I
particularly like the idea, but I have sense its inevitability. Anything
else would depend on what other teams are thinking of starting programs
or moving programs up.
 
See you later,
John
 
--
John Edwards - Carleton (ON) '96, Manitoba '00 - [log in to unmask]
                         Behold the power of cheese.
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