Marquette D1 Hockey, why not?

[Ari Gold]

back to unnatural carnal knowledgeing this chicken are we?


I've argued in the past that MU should add hockey, but it was merely self interested. I'd like to watch hockey played by an MU. I understand the logistical problems and costs outweigh any benefits
but it'd still be fun to watch

[Dr. Dunkenstein]

Realistically, both the BC and US Cellular would be too big and probably cost too much to rent.  Of the 58 teams that competed the last two years in D1, only three averaged 10,000 or more in attendance.
Notre Dame, around the middle of the pack in attendance and with an on-campus facility, averaged about 2800 people last season.

[DiaperDandy]

+1

Besides the fact that there are not players coming out of the HS here, most collegiate hockey players play juniors in the USHL for a few years and I can't think of many players coming out of those leagues and moving on to college with Wisconsin ties, even with the Green Bay Gamblers being a fairly significant team in the league.  Madison has a few every once and awhile but with the "strong" programs at Arrowhead, USM, assorted North Shore schools, Brookfield, etc...  I can't think of anyone moving on to play.

So that leaves Minnesota and Illinois and frankly those kids would just as well go play at Notre Dame, Miami (OH), Minnesota, or MSU/UM than play for a start up Marquette program.  I like the idea, its just not that feasible especially when you would be looking at a conference with, at best, teams like Bowling Green, Alabama-Huntsville, Lake Superior State, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, etc...  Not exactly a buzzworthy situation.

I see your point here but you fail to mention the major recruiting source for all college hockey, CANADA!!!  I hate to break it to you but the USHL is garbage compared to the OHL and other junior leagues in Canada.  If you can recruit successfully in Canada, you can do just fine in college hockey.  That being said, you still have to get the players to come.  However, if I were a canadian player and I had the option of playing in Milwaukee or Moose Jaw, I think it would be a no brainer! 

[JWags85]

I see your point here but you fail to mention the major recruiting source for all college hockey, CANADA!!!  I hate to break it to you but the USHL is garbage compared to the OHL and other junior leagues in Canada.  If you can recruit successfully in Canada, you can do just fine in college hockey.  That being said, you still have to get the players to come.  However, if I were a canadian player and I had the option of playing in Milwaukee or Moose Jaw, I think it would be a no brainer! 

I failed to mention it because its really not a huge area of recruiting.  Most of the kids that play in Canada, that are good enough to play for colleges in the US, end up playing in OHL or the WHL.  The OHL isn't a feeder for college hockey like the USHL is, its an alternative.  Its a pain in the ass for top college hockey programs who have recruits drafted by NHL teams cause some NHL teams will encourage their signees to eschew college and play Canadian Juniors cause they feel the longer season aides development.

If you look at the top teams in the NCAAs right now, there is not a heavy Canadian component.  Miami (OH) has 2, Notre Dame has 3, BC has 1, Minnesota Duluth has 4-5, Boston U has 4, and Wisconsin has 3.

So as you can see, its not a heavy recruiting area.  By and large, as of late, most of the kids who play D-1 hockey are kids from the US.  And your point about Moosejaw vs Milwaukee?  I bet alot of those Canadian kids have never ever heard of Milwaukee.  Milwaukee is the 28th largest city in the US.  The 28th largest city in Canada?  Guelph, Ontario.  I don't see that registering with alot of Americans.  The point is these Canadian kids prefer to stay and play in a place and culture they know, hence the popularity of the WHL and OHL and why college hockey hasnt taken off in Canada.

[reinko]

I failed to mention it because its really not a huge area of recruiting.  Most of the kids that play in Canada, that are good enough to play for colleges in the US, end up playing in OHL or the WHL.  The OHL isn't a feeder for college hockey like the USHL is, its an alternative.  Its a pain in the ass for top college hockey programs who have recruits drafted by NHL teams cause some NHL teams will encourage their signees to eschew college and play Canadian Juniors cause they feel the longer season aides development.

If you look at the top teams in the NCAAs right now, there is not a heavy Canadian component.  Miami (OH) has 2, Notre Dame has 3, BC has 1, Minnesota Duluth has 4-5, Boston U has 4, and Wisconsin has 3.

So as you can see, its not a heavy recruiting area.  By and large, as of late, most of the kids who play D-1 hockey are kids from the US.  And your point about Moosejaw vs Milwaukee?  I bet alot of those Canadian kids have never ever heard of Milwaukee.  Milwaukee is the 28th largest city in the US.  The 28th largest city in Canada?  Guelph, Ontario.  I don't see that registering with alot of Americans.  The point is these Canadian kids prefer to stay and play in a place and culture they know, hence the popularity of the WHL and OHL and why college hockey hasnt taken off in Canada.

How dare you besmirch the name of Guelph, Ontario.

[Benny B]

I failed to mention it because its really not a huge area of recruiting.  Most of the kids that play in Canada, that are good enough to play for colleges in the US, end up playing in OHL or the WHL.  The OHL isn't a feeder for college hockey like the USHL is, its an alternative.  Its a pain in the ass for top college hockey programs who have recruits drafted by NHL teams cause some NHL teams will encourage their signees to eschew college and play Canadian Juniors cause they feel the longer season aides development.

If you look at the top teams in the NCAAs right now, there is not a heavy Canadian component.  Miami (OH) has 2, Notre Dame has 3, BC has 1, Minnesota Duluth has 4-5, Boston U has 4, and Wisconsin has 3.

So as you can see, its not a heavy recruiting area.  By and large, as of late, most of the kids who play D-1 hockey are kids from the US.  And your point about Moosejaw vs Milwaukee?  I bet alot of those Canadian kids have never ever heard of Milwaukee.  Milwaukee is the 28th largest city in the US.  The 28th largest city in Canada?  Guelph, Ontario.  I don't see that registering with alot of Americans.  The point is these Canadian kids prefer to stay and play in a place and culture they know, hence the popularity of the WHL and OHL and why college hockey hasnt taken off in Canada.

Rest assured, there are three non-24 hour cities that register with Canadians: Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Golden, CO.

Nevertheless, not only have I been to Guelph, I've played hockey in Guelph... on the University campus, no less.  Only place I've ever played that has a full-sized sports bar overlooking a 1,000-seat rink... which would actually go over quite well in Milwaukee.  Must be something about 28th place that makes you want to drink beer and play hockey.

Anyhoo... don't discount the role that the lack of D-I Hockey schools and scholarships to go around in the U.S. (relative to the number of 18-20 y/o jr.-level players who would be interested in such) plays in the attractiveness of the OHL and WHL amongst the players.  I would bet that most OHL and WHL players are playing there simply because their choice was playing for the Guelph Storm or the MSOE Red Raiders.  Throw in the options of playing D-I hockey in Storrs, Syracuse, Milwaukee, Chicago, Jersey or NYC, and all of the sudden, Guelph ain't lookin' so hot.

In other words, if the NFL only had 15 teams, I'm sure the CFL would attract much more talent.

[ringout]

My high school (Arrowhead) built its own hockey rink. If they can afford it, I'm sure Marquette could afford a practice facility as well. You could probably build it for 2/3 the cost if you didn't include the swimming venue. For the first couple years, use it as the home rink as well, just to make sure you can draw before trying to move to the BC. In addition, you could try to make some money back by allowing open skates (for a fee) and offering it as a training facility to other teams.

The University of Arrowhead has more $$.

[JWags85]

Anyhoo... don't discount the role that the lack of D-I Hockey schools and scholarships to go around in the U.S. (relative to the number of 18-20 y/o jr.-level players who would be interested in such) plays in the attractiveness of the OHL and WHL amongst the players.  I would bet that most OHL and WHL players are playing there simply because their choice was playing for the Guelph Storm or the MSOE Red Raiders.  Throw in the options of playing D-I hockey in Storrs, Syracuse, Milwaukee, Chicago, Jersey or NYC, and all of the sudden, Guelph ain't lookin' so hot.

In other words, if the NFL only had 15 teams, I'm sure the CFL would attract much more talent.

I was more stating the fact that, with all the Canadian talent, the vast majority of D-1 hockey players are Americans.  Meanwhile Canadians outnumber Americans in the NHL 2-1.  So its not like most Canadians couldnt play here if they wanted to.

The point I'm trying to make is that I don't feel banking on Canadian players playing for your squad is a main component of D-1 hockey recruiting.  The only school I know of, in terms of the big boys, that has alot of Canadians is North Dakota, and thats as much proximity as anything as most of those kids are from Alberta and Saskatchewan (oh, hi Toews).

DiaperDandy is correct in saying the USHL is garbage compared to the OHL, cause by and large the average player in Canada is better than the average American.  But to say that Canada is the major recruiting source for college hockey is just patently false.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

that has alot of Canadians is North Dakota, and thats as much proximity as anything as most of those kids are from Alberta and Saskatchewan (oh, hi Toews).

 

Toews is from Winnipeg, Manitoba...but you are right it is not very far from Grand Forks....he also played one year of high school hockey at Shattuck St. Mary's in Faribault, MN.  Sidney Crosby, Gretzky's kid among many others have also played at Shattuck.

UND has 25 players with 11 from Canada and 7 from Minnesota.  Whereas the Univ. of Minn has 16 out 19 players from Minnesota.  National Champion UMD has 17 of 26 players from Minnesota and 7 from Canada.

[muhs03]

Side question: Where does Milwaukee Marquette practice/play games? They have a hockey team, and are just up the street.

MUHS both practices and plays their home games at Eble in Brookfield. Not ideal. The University School has a ridiculous setup on their campus. Nice venue for a game, for sure.

[MU_Iceman]

Side question: Where does Milwaukee Marquette practice/play games? They have a hockey team, and are just up the street.

MUHS both practices and plays their home games at Eble in Brookfield. Not ideal. The University School has a ridiculous setup on their campus. Nice venue for a game, for sure.

MSOE has a rink / training facility a block from Water St...they may be able to coordinate practice ice there if MU ever seriously considered a program...I'm sure MSOE would be willing to lease space temporarily...

[swoopem]

Yeah I forgot about MSOE's team. They have a rink under their rec center right on there on Water dont they? We could definitly work something out with them to practice in, plus its pretty new. I really think that if Marquette did pursue a hockey team it turn out to be a really good thing.

Hockey is gaining a lot of popularity now especially with the Hawks being pretty good. With half of MU from the Chicago area there would be a major interest and fan support. Every single one of my friends would have loved a hockey team while in school, I'm sure others would enjoy it just as much. 

[77ncaachamps]

I'd support MU Hockey.

As for where MU could purchase land to host the team?
I propose Eagle's Ballroom.

[Brewtown Andy]

I'd support MU Hockey.

As for where MU could purchase land to host the team?
I propose Eagle's Ballroom.

Forget the teal, did you?

[swoopem]

They just knocked down those useless stores across from Mashuda, one was a flower shop and the other some sort of Christian religious store. If they can somehow knock that Church down on 19th and Wisconsin they would have pleany of room to build something because all that is behind there is a field and a parking lot.

Speaking of that area, does anyone know what is going up there?

[BobWildLoyalist]

I heard it might be a Phil's chili

[Brewtown Andy]

They just knocked down those useless stores across from Mashuda, one was a flower shop and the other some sort of Christian religious store. If they can somehow knock that Church down on 19th and Wisconsin they would have pleany of room to build something because all that is behind there is a field and a parking lot.

Speaking of that area, does anyone know what is going up there?

I heard a Pick N Save, but I know it was supposed to be an apartment building similar to 2040 Lofts.

[foreverwarriors]

I heard a Pick N Save, but I know it was supposed to be an apartment building similar to 2040 Lofts.

Interesting...even with one right across the valley on National?

[swoopem]

I find it interesting because that means there would be a liquor store directly accross the street from a dorm. Not that its hard to buy anywhere on campus but to have one litterally across the street would be pretty tight. Although its Mashuda so I'm not sure if those kids would enjoy it as much as if it were accross from McCormick

[Brewtown Andy]

Interesting...even with one right across the valley on National?

There was an article in the MU Trib this school year about how the campus sits in the middle of a nutritional disaster zone, so to speak, based on the availability of fresh groceries.  It clearly wouldn't be a full size PnS, unless it's going to be a multi-floor store, which I doubt.

[Brewtown Andy]

I find it interesting because that means there would be a liquor store directly accross the street from a dorm. Not that its hard to buy anywhere on campus but to have one litterally across the street would be pretty tight. Although its Mashuda so I'm not sure if those kids would enjoy it as much as if it were accross from McCormick

The space isn't big enough for a full store, so I imagine the university's pulled some strings to have that left out.

That said, even if it is in there, PnS takes their liquor license much more seriously than say, Kampus Foods.