I think schools like BU will have a tough time recruiting top talent without TV coverage. However, I don't believe that no NESN will send top recruits west. Instead, I see them going to schools like BC that may be able to package its hockey games with its basketball or football games. I'm not sure if this is feasible, but at least BC has this as an option to explore. >>> "N.E. Hockey Report" <[log in to unmask]> 12/16/96 10:42am >>> For as long as NESN has been around, Hockey East coaches have used the carrot of "our games are on TV, their's (ECAC) aren't." To many 17-year-old kids, that's heady stuff, and enough to sway them in the decision-making process. Put yourself in the position of BU freshman Tom Poti, who, when he was being courted by BU, could flick on the TV and, between WABU-68 and NESN, see just about every BU game on television. No more, though. With one outlet gone, and the other offering a seriously diminished slate of games, someone like Poti might now give some ECAC school like Vermont, where the stars become city-wide heroes, serious consideration. And then there's Michigan, Wisconsin, etc. NESN's dropping Hockey East is bad news for the recruiters in that league. And good news for the recruiters in the other three leagues. Chris Warner New England Hockey Report 1770 Massachusetts Ave., #195 Cambridge, Mass. 02140 HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List. HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.