Hockey realignment: Arizona State to the NCHC
This has been speculated about for years - it's finally offiical.
This likely means nothing as regards bigger-picture expansion (if the B1G decides they want to invite ASU, they'll drop the NCHC in 0.000001 seconds), but good for ASU on finally landing somewhere. They made the NCAA a few years ago.
I'm not a hockey fan nor an Arizona State fan so I have zero clue about the implications of this but good on em.
ASU has been an independent for ~10 years: it's tough as hell being both a geographical outpost and a hockey independent.
The implication: I think this increases the odds that college hockey grows out West. The odds are still slim, as it requires a lot of $$$ to start a program. But the more successful nearby programs, the more other schools may see a future for themselves.
Well…they already play in an NHL arena.
Fun fact: 11 college teams (including Michigan) had a higher per-game attendance than the Coyotes last year! North Dakota had a higher total attendance, on 22 less dates.
Gary Bettman, of course, doesn't see any possible issue there. :-)
Sun Devils hockey: seems like an oxymoron.
ASU has a hockey program.... why?!
It is hot in AZ. It feels good in an ice rink bldg.
it's a dry cold
a penn state fan posting about arizona state hockey on a michigan message board.
only mgoblog
Miami (NTM) has repeatedly said they would have no interest in remaining in the NCHC if ASU was added, so further moves could be coming. Most logical landing spot for them seems to be CCHA
I have to think we'd take them. It's a natural geographic fit, with an institutional commitment to hockey. We should really have WMU as well, but that's a pipe dream.
Good for ASU! They have a terrific college hockey venue in Mullet Arena. They also had Shane Doan's kid, Josh Doan, for the last two years (he signed with the Coyotes after the season).
I saw ASU vs Denver at DU last January. DU was clearly the better team but eked out a 3 -2 win in the final minute. DU out shot ASU 56 - 20. ASU's goalie, TJ Semptimphelter,had 53 saves! I felt bad for him afterwards, it was a Herculean effort.
College hockey is fun.