John writes: >> (BTW, doesn't Michigan win 1st place among the states when counting up >> Division I college hockey programs? I count seven. > >New York State also has seven Div I programs: Yes, these two states are tied. Massachusetts has six. One could also point out that the programs in NY and MI are widely spread out, but within a one-hour drive of Boston, there are 9 DivI teams (Low, Merr, BC, BU, NU, Har, Prov, Brown, UNH). This is the most densely-populated area in the nation as far as DivI hockey teams go. I suspect that this area is also the most densely-populated college hockey area with literally dozens of DivIII teams. Steve Christopher referred to my earlier posting on Gonzaga being an NC$$ program. Actually, Gonzaga is listed in the Western standings before NC$$ hockey can officially be considered to have begun, in 1947-48, so it isn't quite correct to say Gonzaga (or USC, UCLA, etc.) once had an NC$$ DivI hockey team. I think there is the potential for a great turnout at Hockeyfest this year. All of the four ECAC schools can be expected to bring a lot of people, and with UNH making its first appearance in the Garden since, I believe, the 1983 ECACs, the Wildcats' following should be immense. Add to that the millions of people :-) Maine always brings, the folks from up the road at BC, and the usually solid turnout from Providence. Both tourneys should draw well. - mike