2013-14 NCAA Hockey Thread

[TBTwinsFan]

It was announced that an IFL team will begin play next season at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.

Team will be named the "Bemidji Axemen"

Honestly, I'd rather see an NBA D-League team take over the Sanford Center for games, but that would of course cause major scheduling conflicts.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

NCHC tournament will be accompanied by a Fan Fest.

Might be something to check out I guess.

 

[byronscott4ever]

It was announced that an IFL team will begin play next season at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.

Team will be named the "Bemidji Axemen"

Honestly, I'd rather see an NBA D-League team take over the Sanford Center for games, but that would of course cause major scheduling conflicts.

It's Bemidji so any pro team is a gift. The league isn't the most stable so I'm guessing three years max unless fans really embrace them. Id love the NBDL there but Des Moines is bigger and closer

 

[TBTwinsFan]

It's Bemidji so any pro team is a gift. The league isn't the most stable so I'm guessing three years max unless fans really embrace them. Id love the NBDL there but Des Moines is bigger and closer

Closest NBDL team is in Sioux Falls.

I agree though, any pro team is a gift. I just don't see a huge following (outside of the first few games), because of the Lumberjacks, Beavers, Gophers, and Vikings being the popular teams there.

 

[tunahead]

NCHC tournament will be accompanied by a Fan Fest.

Might be something to check out I guess.

That might be worth checking out

 

[tunahead]

Went to a pre-season NHL game in San Antonio, Stars vs. Panthers. Got to see former Maverick Travis Morin play and he got an assist, he's added another assist since then. He's been a good scorer for the AHL Stars but has only gotten to play 3 regular season NHL games in his career. So far, he's survived their first couple cuts so maybe he'll get to play a few more NHL games! Former Maverick Tyler Elbrecht is in the AHL Stars training camp now.

Also, the WCHA and America One Sports have teamed up to stream the WCHA conference games and have a full season package available: WCHA.com - WCHA TV Powered by America ONE Sports set to Launch for 2013-14 Season
From what I've heard, all the schools have purchased HD cameras so hopefully the feed will be decent. I've had some pretty poor broadcasts from America One in the past...

 

[byronscott4ever]

Closest NBDL team is in Sioux Falls.

I agree though, any pro team is a gift. I just don't see a huge following (outside of the first few games), because of the Lumberjacks, Beavers, Gophers, and Vikings being the popular teams there.

I think Des Moines is closer. Flip said ideally the team would own a team in Rochester or St. Cloud. Axemen run Feb-June I think so less competition with other teams.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

I think Des Moines is closer. Flip said ideally the team would own a team in Rochester or St. Cloud. Axemen run Feb-June I think so less competition with other teams.

Des Moines is in the middle of Iowa, Sioux Falls is just outside of the MN border.

Anyways, I think an NBDL team in St. Cloud or Rochester would be cool. I'm surprised Rochester doesn't have a pro team in anything.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Went to a pre-season NHL game in San Antonio, Stars vs. Panthers. Got to see former Maverick Travis Morin play and he got an assist, he's added another assist since then. He's been a good scorer for the AHL Stars but has only gotten to play 3 regular season NHL games in his career. So far, he's survived their first couple cuts so maybe he'll get to play a few more NHL games! Former Maverick Tyler Elbrecht is in the AHL Stars training camp now.

Also, the WCHA and America One Sports have teamed up to stream the WCHA conference games and have a full season package available: WCHA.com - WCHA TV Powered by America ONE Sports set to Launch for 2013-14 Season
From what I've heard, all the schools have purchased HD cameras so hopefully the feed will be decent. I've had some pretty poor broadcasts from America One in the past...

Are the broadcasts going to be free? jw

PBS broadcasts Bemidji games, and those are fun to watch. They were better than the FSN broadcasts (when the Goofers were up there).

 

[byronscott4ever]

Des Moines is in the middle of Iowa, Sioux Falls is just outside of the MN border.

Anyways, I think an NBDL team in St. Cloud or Rochester would be cool. I'm surprised Rochester doesn't have a pro team in anything.

Time wise, DM is a half hour closer to TC. IA has the Wild minor team so it makes sense for Wolves plus Miami took over Sioux Falls on their own so it was the best choice.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Time wise, DM is a half hour closer to TC. IA has the Wild minor team so it makes sense for Wolves plus Miami took over Sioux Falls on their own so it was the best choice.

Oh, closer to TC. I thought you meant Bemidji.

I think it's cool that the Twins, Wild, and T-Wolves all have minor teams in IA.

 

[tunahead]

Are the broadcasts going to be free? jw

PBS broadcasts Bemidji games, and those are fun to watch. They were better than the FSN broadcasts (when the Goofers were up there).

Unfortunately no, it's $125 for the WCHA package which gets you all the games. In the past they had a team package as well... but not seeing that right now. Hoping they still have that option as I don't really need the full package for all the teams.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Unfortunately no, it's $125 for the WCHA package which gets you all the games. In the past they had a team package as well... but not seeing that right now. Hoping they still have that option as I don't really need the full package for all the teams.

That sucks. I can't afford cable at the new place so I was banking on that.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Here is Stephon Williams being a beast:

USHL Highlight - Stephon Williams "bare hand" save - YouTube

 

[tunahead]

Here is Stephon Williams being a beast:

USHL Highlight - Stephon Williams "bare hand" save - YouTube

Awesome!

Williams apparently had hip surgery in the off season, coach Hastings says he is 100% now though. Hoping this is true and doesn't affect him at all this season. Wondering if he was injured for the Final Five and NCAA tourney though, as he didn't perform anywhere near as good as the rest of the season.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Hopefully he's alright.

Besides Walsh, he's my favorite goalie.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Minnesota Wild held practice at the AMSOIL Arena in Duluth.

Cool concept, hopefully they do it when I can go.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

I was hopeful that my school would get a hockey team after the completion of a new arena...

Looks like there aren't any plans for that. Oh well.

They compete in the same DII conference as Bemidji, MSU, UMD, and SCSU

 

[TBTwinsFan]

So good to have college hockey back... even if it's just exhibition games.

 

[tunahead]

So good to have college hockey back... even if it's just exhibition games.

Indeed! Mavs looked pretty good last night, but hard to judge from an exhibition. They beat Lethbridge 7-1, but they beat them by the same score last year and then started the season with a 1-5 record. I ended up buying the game on America Sports One, quality wasn't too bad.

Sucks that they don't have the opening game against Providence though, I guess I'll just have to listen to it on the radio.