Changing NCAA Landscape

The D-1 landscape is on the verge of major change as a new Big Ten Conference and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) will commence play in 2013-2014. The CCHA will loose Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State to the new Big Ten Conference. Recent powerhouse, Miami (of Ohio) will depart for the new NCHC while perennial bottom runner, Northern Michigan will leave for the WCHA.

The WCHA will loose Denver, North Dakota, Colorado College, national champion Minnesota-Duluth, and Nebraska-Omaha. The move comes after the official announcement of the Big Ten Conference. The NCHC confirmed ongoing discussions with the CCHA's Western Michigan, Notre Dame, and Alaska . The NCHC, already including members from the Western part of the country and one (Miami) from the mid-west, submitted an offer to Boston College and Boston University, but both Hockey East schools declined.

Four Atlantic Hockey schools, Canisius, Robert Morris, Niagara, and Mercyhurst met with representatives from the CCHA about joining the league for the 2013 season. The schools are still evaluating their positions in Atlantic Hockey and their decision will largely be based after September 30th when decisions from the remaining three CCHA teams are expected.

After a year of Independent hockey, Penn State will be joining the Big Ten in its inaugural season. Expect the new Nittany Lions to be a force in D-1 hockey, but it should take a few recruiting classes to be on par with the top teams. Don't expect them to roll-over and play AIC (oops, I meant dead). The Big Ten will develop into a powerhouse conference, but Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State have had down years recently. The NCHC appears to be the most competitive of the new conferences with Minny-Duluth and Miami. Nobody can discount North Dakota, Denver, and Colorado College programs, so expect the NCHC to have a more immediate impact than the Big Ten Conference.

The CCHA will still have competitive Alaska and Western Michigan programs in addition to the strong program at Notre Dame. Alaska made the dance for the first time in some years this past season and showed some positive signs against BC. Western Michigan just hired Andy Murray as its new head coach to lead the Broncos into the uncertain waters ahead. Congratulations to Murray who almost became the head coach at RPI five years ago. I wish him the best of luck making the transition from the NHL to the NCAA. I think in terms of coaching, he should be fine. Recruiting and running a program will take a little getting used to.

If Robert Morris and Niagara, the most recent additions to Atlantic Hockey, make the decision to switch conferences, the CCHA will once again be viable and will afford a solid Robert Morris program (who gave North Dakota fits last year)and a formidable Fighting Irish squad, a better chance at making regionals. Atlantic Hockey improved both in terms of quality of play and program stability this year. Loosing Robert Morris and Niagara will hurt the league, but not as much as loosing stable competitors Canisius and Mercyhurst. Canisius finished 8th in Atlantic Hockey and defeated Niagara in the first round of the AHA tournament with a strong outpouring of offence from their senior class and outstanding special teams. The Golden Griffs forced a third game in their quarterfinal series against #3 Holy Cross, but the HC offense combined with Adam Roy's consistent net minding overpowered them. The only two teams that really benefit from loosing the recent AHA additions are perennial powerhouses Air Force and RIT. (Holy Cross last won Atlantic Hockey in 2006, the year before RIT began conference play).

Hockey East should remain undeterred. The conference remains the best in the country, even if the Western powers unite. Merrimack made great strides this season and is a testament to the Hockey East brand name in recruiting. With the NCHC teams competing for the auto-bid, expect the Hockey East product to once again dominate the NCAA scene.

Midweek News and Notes

Brad Marchand is still without a contract two weeks after Bruins began negotiations with the rookie restricted free agent. After a consistent season, in which Marchand established himself as a feisty second and third liner capable of driving to the net and lighting the lamp, Marchand had a breakout postseason. RFA’s Joel Ward and Sean Bergenheim scored significant pay increases this offseason and Teddy Purcell reached an agreement before his July 20th hearing. Given the precedent this summer, giving Marchand Purcell and Milan Lucic money in the range of $2.5 to $3 million this year does not seem unreasonable. With a bleak outlook on next year’s salary cap, GM Peter Chiarelli might be afraid to tie up so much money on someone who has only one season under his belt. Given the culture among GM’s in the modern NHL, it is unlikely another team will offer Marchand a sheet. Despite the need for a top-line centre, the Leafs did not tend an offer to Stephen Stamkos, who waited several weeks to reach an agreement with the Lightning forward. The Leafs, Rangers, and re-tooled Flyers could all use a physical winger with a scoring touch, but none of them have made Marchand an offer.

Kris Draper retired this week after 20 weeks in the NHL. Draper began his career in Winnipeg with the original Jets franchise but was traded to the Wings for only $1 because the Jets did not have a place for him in their lineup. The physical forward scored only 161 goals in his career but used his checking and net-drive to influence play on both ends. Playing on the “Grind Line” with Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarty, Draper helped the Winged Wheels win Cups in 1997, 1998, and 2002.

Nikolai Khabibulan dropped his appeal of a February 2010 DUI charge, in which he was clocked doing 70 in a 45 mph zone outside of Phoenix, AZ and registered a breathalyzer of double the legal limit. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail land will spend half his time on house arrest. By dropping the appeal, Khabibulan ensured he will be ready to suit up for training camp in September. Kudos for taking responsibility and doing the right thing.

Stanley Cup: World Traveler

Sorry everyone, it has been a while since I posted on this blog. The Cup Finals have come and gone and now each Bruin is having his day with the beloved sports trophy. It was terrific to see the European players celebrate their Stanley Cup in style.

Most players seem reluctant to publicize their appearances with the Cup, fearing the crowds would simply be too large at each destination. Huge crowds turned out in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to see Kaberle, Krejci, and Chara bring home the fruit of their labour. In a sign of respect and acknowledgement of their roots, each champion brought the Cup to their parents or their local rink. Chara made several public appearances with the Cup and met with the mayor of his town in Slovakia. He spent several hours with his family and friends before placing the Cup on a hillside at sunset making for an iconic Cup photograph. The following night, Chara rented out a large Castle and hosted a large dinner party for his friends and family.

Shawn Thornton celebrated in style yesterday in his hometown of Oshawa and on top of the world at the CN Tower in Toronto. This morning, Daniel Paille brought the Stanley Cup to Niagara Falls and took it for a ride on the Maid of the Mist tourist boat. Imagine taking a trip to Niagara Falls and seeing the Stanley Cup hoisted high above the misty, circling rapids of the Horseshoe basin. Later today, Paille brought Lord Stanley’s Trophy to his home of Welland, ON, where the town has rolled out the red carpet for “Dan Paille Day.”

Rich Peverley has the Cup today and he's making his way around Guelph, ON after a brief stop at the family home. Plenty of pictures on the Bruins feed including Guelph police officers taking their turn with the Cup.

Follow the Stanley Cup on Twitter @NHLBruins to see the latest updates, pictures, and videos of the Cups travels.