They could combine and stay at 10 too. The WCHA was 10 for a long time.

And how much of this started because WI wanted it?  :/   Could cause 
a lot of problems for college hockey in the future!

>If this report from Grand Forks is to be believed, a new western conference
>is going to form from the ashes of the post-Big Ten west, to start play in
>2013.
>
>http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/209049/
>
>This league would consist of Denver, CC, Nebraska-Omaha, Minnesota-Duluth,
>Miami and North Dakota. The article lists Notre Dame and Western Michigan as
>possibilities to join as well.
>
>Assuming all 8 do that, by my reckoning that would leave the WCHA with:
>- Bemidji State
>- St. Cloud State
>- Minnesota State, Mankato
>- Michigan Tech
>- Alaska Anchorage
>
>And the CCHA would have:
>- Northern Michigan
>- Ferris State
>- Lake Superior State
>- Bowling Green
>- Alaska (Fairbanks)
>
>I imagine they would have to combine to form a ten-team league, and I could
>see a scenario where they go for 12 teams by picking off a couple of
>Atlantic Hockey squads (Niagara & Mercyhurst, perhaps).
>
>John
>
>--
>John Edwards
>"You can insure against the weather, but you can't insure against
>incompetence, can you?" - Phil Tufnell