I was happy to have been joined by Niagara coach Blaise MacDonald in
between periods of the Dartmouth-Merrimack game Saturday night. Some of
the things he said were things I think Chris Lerch has mentioned before,
but I'll mention them again. I know some of them are new.
First, Blaise said that the timetable for Niagara is to play next year in
the ECAC West and then spend a year or more as a DivI Independent.
Technically they are that now, but I presume this means playing more and
more games against DivI opponents. Niagara will be visiting Lowell and
Merrimack for a pair of games next season.
In a few years, he hopes Niagara will be able to join one of the DivI
conferences. He talked about how the location Niagara is in means they
could be in any of three conferences - the CCHA, ECAC, or Hockey East.
He also talked about the relationship with the Buffalo Sabres and a
tournament that he's trying to get going at the new Marine Midland Arena in
Buffalo. Some of the teams he's talked to are BU, Michigan, Michigan
State, and Cornell, and he said reception has been good. They'd like to
make it a Thanksgiving tournament since many other teams are locked up over
Christmas. The Sabres are supporting the effort, including agreeing to
schedule around the tournament.
Also, Niagara will be playing an exhibition at the Arena over Christmas
this year, I believe against a Russian team. This was also done with the
cooperation of the Sabres. Unfortunately I cannot recall the date or
opponent.
A couple of other tournaments he mentioned that we could see Niagara appear
in during upcoming seasons are the Syracuse Invitational and the JC Penney
Classic.
You also have to like Blaise's sense of humor. When I brought up the
travel time to western NY for HE teams (if Niagara was to join HE), he
said, "Well, we put a man on the moon, I think we could find a way to get
some teams to western New York." And on recruiting in Massachusetts/New
England, "I'd like to get some players who will understand me when I drop
my r's." :-) (he's originally from the Merrimack Valley, Chelmsford I
believe.)
Niagara is 8-6-2 overall and 1-2-0 against DivI competition (win over
Fairfield, losses at Air Force). It looks like Blaise is off to a terrific
start with the Purple Eagles, and I wish him the best of luck.
--- ---
Mike Machnik [log in to unmask] *HMM* 11/13/93
***** (Part-Time) Color Voice of Merrimack Hockey WCAP 980 AM *****
***** Unofficial Merrimack Hockey home page located at: *****
***** http://www.tiac.net/users/machnik/MChockey/MChockey.html *****
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