i have no idea how the relationship between college hockey and the nhl is...
but if gary bettman wants increased hockey awareness in the states, a
preseason tourney featuring a top team from each conference might be one
small step in that direction. was it bettman that most recently proposed
the start-up of college hockey at usc and ucla (and the subsequent forming
of a new conference with du, the alaskas, any west coast teams, and others)?
 
if such a proposed preseason tourney could prove that it would make money
(would espn buy these telecasts?) for everyone involved - and i suppose a
tv deal would make or break this financial aspect - i think the nc$$ would
see to it that the ecac team/conference made all the necessary arrangments
and be properly taken care of. even if the games were designated as
exhibitions, i think the players would welcome an extra chance to compete
against the 'best of the best' from the other conferences. having to play
in a consolation game might not be very appealing, though. if the site of
the tournament rotated between the conference regions, the recruiting
exposure 'thing' might appeal to the coaches. and maybe some sort of skills
competition can be held (where 'fans' can see all the shootouts their
hearts desire instead of at the end of tied regular season games!), but
maybe i'm getting a little too crazy. maybe FOX could televise the games?
or maybe CBS?
 
i temporarily forgot about all the excitement of ot hockey games, so i wish
to retract any mention i made previously about non-sudden death ot periods.
 
dave
bu 91 and 94, michigan 97 or 98? so i figure i'll be in providence one way
or another (i can't say i'm all that fond of my two trips to st paul).