>Reply-To: The Maine Hockey Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Vermont and Hockey East >Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 11:08:18 -0500 > > >   From: Stephen St.Pierre > > >   There is a huge difference here. (unless I'm mistaken) UMass wasn't a DIV 1 program when they decided to build the mullins center and put the resources into DIV 1 Hockey.  The year they were a provisional member allowed them to get their feet wet and get some games under there belt before entering the conference on a full time basis.  While UVM is certainly in a down period, they are already an established Div 1 program.  I dont think it would be fair to UVM to have them leave the ECAC and not be a full member of Hockey East immediatly. > > > >   You are quite right about the terms on which UMA came into Hockey East. > >   But, Vermont is asking to leave the ECAC, no one is asking them to leave.  If they choose to leave, it has to be under the conditions applied by the league from which they are seeking acceptance. > >   Hockey East doesn't need any more weak teams dragging down the strength-of-opponent ratings for the perennial power teams.  Hockey East's record against the other three leagues is nearly always .500 or better and way more than that against the ECAC, arguably the weakest of the four older conferences.  Why weaken an already stronger league with a team that may take some years to be truly competitive ... ??