All Things Hockey:

[ZBTMP]

Michigan has 7 Division 1 hockey programs in the state

Minnesota has 5

Wisconsin has just 1.

 

Any chance any other school in Wisconsin could become a D1 program? Ever? I admittedly do not know the politics, money, or policy behind those decisions, but needless to say places like UMD and Lake Superior State dont strike me as otherwise D1 schools...so....???

 

Minnesota has 58,000 registered hockey players, Michigan had 49,000 registered hockey players with a high % of its population close to the Canadian border and population. Wisconsin has 19,836. Hockey is bigger in those states. Maybe Colorado is a reasonable comparison with both CC and Denver (im not counting AF), but those schools don’t have to compete with the large state public university.

The best bet is SNC decides to go D1 for hockey and somehow works out an exemption to let them exclusively play D1 hockey (like RPI), but they seem fine with being a D3 power from my very distant seat.

Now there is some chicken and egg thing. Certainly more high quality hockey would grow the game but there isn’t the gap in the market here. Illinois may be another story, but..

[trwi7]

SNC or UWSP or whatever powerhouse D3 program moving up to D1 is a lot like the conversations about Whitewater moving to D1, at least for football. Is the prestige of being D1 really worth joining a mediocre at best conference and being an also ran with no hope of ever winning a championship?

 

Maybe SNC or UWSP would get lucky and get accepted to the NCHC or something but that's such a good conference that you're going to be fighting an uphill battle to relevance for a long time.

[JackNicholson1974]

Thanks for providing those numbers on registrations ZBTMP. Interesting. I wonder how much of that has to do with Wisconsin never having a professional team, as demographically we are so similar to Minnesota and Michigan.

 

Something in Wisconsin has to give in order to give hockey more exposure - the exposure I think it deserves in this state. When it comes to winter sports we are just such a basketball state I think.

[trwi7]

Wisconsin is doing more than fine in hockey exposure. The only states with more registered players are California, New York, Minnesota, Michigan, Massachusetts, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Those states are either twice as big (at least) as Wisconsin population wise, have multiple college programs and all have at least one NHL team and in a few cases multiple teams as well as other professional minor league teams, junior teams etc.

[danzig6767]

Thanks for providing those numbers on registrations ZBTMP. Interesting. I wonder how much of that has to do with Wisconsin never having a professional team, as demographically we are so similar to Minnesota and Michigan.

 

Something in Wisconsin has to give in order to give hockey more exposure - the exposure I think it deserves in this state. When it comes to winter sports we are just such a basketball state I think.

 

Plus, high school hockey in Minnesota seems something like how high school football is in Texas. A long time passion for those sports on the high school, college, and pro level which is hard to duplicate.

 

As for Michigan, they simply have double the population. College football is the same. Wisconsin is the only Division 1 program while Michigan has five.

[nodakfan17]

SNC is a real wild card for D1 hockey because they have major donor potential in the Schneider Family (Schneider National Trucking ~ the orange trucks). I could also see them being a little more flexible than the UW schools because I don’t think they are particularly attached to their primary conference (whereas the WIAC is a pretty nice setup). Nonetheless, college hockey is expensive and I still see a D1 move as an unlikely possibility.

[nodakfan17]

Apparently, there was a gentlemens’ agreement made between Nebraska and Nebraska - Omaha when Omaha folded its football team. It was the only other D1 football team in the state. In exchange for a football monopoly, Nebraska was not going to sponsor hockey. Now that hockey has become a 3rd revenue sport, it will be interesting to see if Nebraska makes a move.

[nate82]

Would it make sense to have an NHL game played at Lambeau? I would think a Detroit vs Nashville game would draw a lot of fans.

 

The real question then would the Packers allow something like this?

[pacopete4]

Would it make sense to have an NHL game played at Lambeau? I would think a Detroit vs Nashville game would draw a lot of fans.

 

The real question then would the Packers allow something like this?

 

They allowed Wisconsin vs. Ohio State. It was an awesome experience. One of the best times attending a game. I wish they'd do it again.

[ZBTMP]

Would help if Wisconsin would put out a product worth watching. 3-7 in their last 10 games and outside the top 30 in pairwise after being outscored 7-1 last weekend in Columbus. Embarrassing penalty kill numbers. Year 3 of the Granato era doesn't seem like it is going as planned. They still have a loaded recruiting class next season, but it’d be nice to get the trajectory pointed in the right direction before they arrive.

[stoutdude04]

Would help if Wisconsin would put out a product worth watching. 3-7 in their last 10 games and outside the top 30 in pairwise after being outscored 7-1 last weekend in Columbus. Embarrassing penalty kill numbers. Year 3 of the Granato era doesn't seem like it is going as planned. They still have a loaded recruiting class next season, but it’d be nice to get the trajectory pointed in the right direction before they arrive.

 

They are 3-0 in games that I attend...so, I guess they should just make sure to get me in the building!

 

The PK is a joke...really just pathetic.

[trwi7]

Would it make sense to have an NHL game played at Lambeau? I would think a Detroit vs Nashville game would draw a lot of fans.

 

The real question then would the Packers allow something like this?

 

Outdoor hockey games are awful for every viewer.

[nate82]

Would it make sense to have an NHL game played at Lambeau? I would think a Detroit vs Nashville game would draw a lot of fans.

 

The real question then would the Packers allow something like this?

 

Outdoor hockey games are awful for every viewer.

 

Says who? You?

 

When I went to the one at Wrigley it was rather fun.

[trwi7]

Would it make sense to have an NHL game played at Lambeau? I would think a Detroit vs Nashville game would draw a lot of fans.

 

The real question then would the Packers allow something like this?

 

Outdoor hockey games are awful for every viewer.

 

Says who? You?

 

When I went to the one at Wrigley it was rather fun.

 

I suppose if you like terrible sight lines, they're great.

[nodakfan17]

Despite the cons, outdoor games help attract new fans.

 

I had a blast at Lambeau Field when Wisconsin played Ohio State in 2005 or 2006. I’m not a big fan of either team, but I would do it again in a heart beat. It was a novelty.

[pacopete4]

-----BUMP-----

 

NHL PLAYOFFS ARE HERE!!

 

 

GO BLUES!!!

[stoutdude04]

I am pulling for the Sharks, but I am not feeling very confident. Stumbled down the stretch some.

[pacopete4]

Very enjoyable (nerve racking) game one for my Blues!

[stoutdude04]

Very enjoyable (nerve racking) game one for my Blues!

 

Binnington has been awesome. I think that's a good marchup for St. Louis. The Jets kinda backpedaled into the playoffs too.

[trwi7]

Preds suck.

[nodakfan17]

Minnesota-Duluth repeats as NCAA champs.

 

4 in a row for the NCHC.

 

2019: Minnesota-Duluth

2018: Minnesota-Duluth

2017: Denver

2016: North Dakota

[pacopete4]

UMass was a brutal team to watch in the Championship. How did they make it there?

[stoutdude04]

UMass was a brutal team to watch in the Championship. How did they make it there?

 

They were number 1 for a lot of the year. Only won like 4 games two years ago. Nerves maybe?

[nodakfan17]

I think Duluth is just good. Historically good.

 

They are the first back-to-back champion since Denver in 2004 / 2005.

[trwi7]

Minnesota-Duluth repeats as NCAA champs.

 

4 in a row for the NCHC.

 

2019: Minnesota-Duluth

2018: Minnesota-Duluth

2017: Denver

2016: North Dakota

 

POST HERE MR. CISKIE!