Arizona State to launch Division I hockey program

[chickenhead]

I'm a lifelong hockey fan, but I don't see this. Men's soccer would make much more sense, IMO. Happy to be proven wrong, but it concerns me that the closest D1 competition is Air Force, Colorado College, and U of Denver--and that's about it until you get to North Dakota. Even big revenue sports don't do that kind of travel. Plus you won't have any of the Pac 12 or expected regional rivalries to build the fan base. Plus one additional advantage the northern teams have is easy exhibition games with Canadian schools--which happens a fair bit, especially in early-season invitationals.

 

[Dback Jon]

There is talk that several other Pac-12 schools will follow

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Four days into a thread titled "Arizona State to launch Division I hockey program" and nobody has made the "When are they going to do that for basketball?" joke?

 

[Dback Jon]

From the Minnesota Wild Beat Writer:


Chad Graff @ChadGraff · Nov 22

WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson tells us other Pac-12 schools are also looking at joining the Division I ranks. Mentions Stanford & Oregon.


Hurricane Hank ‏@hurricanehank1 Nov 22
@ChadGraff @OTBPuckWatch UW Huskies looking at serious attempt to enter with ASU. Seeing the opportunity & upcoming trend.



 

[TJ]

Hockey thread, but no hoops thread? C'mon, asu. Priorities.

 

[TJ]

There is talk that several other Pac-12 schools will follow

UofA not one of them according to Greg Byrne

 

[Jay Cardinal]

I was thinking:

State
College
Rink &
Entertainment
Wondrous
Glendale
Hockey
Arena &
Recreation
Destination

That's hilarious, well played. As far as where they play I would be thinking of something near the middle of the city.

 

[puckhead]

https://twitter.com/J15Emerson/status/586224574502604801

 

[puckhead]

https://twitter.com/J15Emerson/status/586224959170555904

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Good news for ASU, Glendale, Gila River, Coyotes....

 

[Dback Jon]

https://twitter.com/J15Emerson/status/586224959170555904

So are they saying that U of A is going DI as well?

 

[Dback Jon]

And who is Justin Emerson?

 

[NoelPHX]

ASU's first D1 season is going to be a mixed D1/ACHA season. So they can still play U of A technically.

 

[puckhead]

And who is Justin Emerson?

He's the beat writer/editor for House of Sparky.

Who's House of Sparky, you ask?

The premier free source for ASU Sun Devil sports news and analysis.

https://twitter.com/j15emerson

http://www.houseofsparky.com/

https://twitter.com/HouseOfSparky

 

[Iceman]

https://twitter.com/SunDevilHockey/status/628644777425137664

 

[puckhead]

ASU hockey to play 4 games at Coyotes' arena during debut NCAA season

As part of their first season at the NCAA Division I level, Arizona State will play four games at Gila River Arena in Glendale as part of a new partnership with the Arizona Coyotes.

...

The Sun Devils will open their season at Gila River Arena on Oct. 3 when they host Arizona. The venue will then host the inaugural Desert Hockey Classic from Jan. 8-10, 2016 featuring ASU, Yale, Michigan Tech and Connecticut. ASU's final game in Glendale will come on Feb. 28, when they take on the United States Under-18 National Team.

http://www.kpho.com/story/29718952/...mes-at-coyotes-arena-during-debut-ncaa-season

 

[jw7]

http://www.kpho.com/story/29718952/...mes-at-coyotes-arena-during-debut-ncaa-season

Why is ASU playing an under18 team? That doesn't seem right.

 

[puckhead]

Why is ASU playing an under18 team? That doesn't seem right.

I would imagine the US team will love it. Maybe they'll all get a ribbon.

 

[puckhead]

ASU eeks out a win against Arizona in 8-1 nail-biter.

In total, ASU outshot Arizona 49-9 and won 68 percent of the face-offs. ASU has now won 48 of the last 49 rivalry games against Arizona.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/asu-hockey-blows-out-arizona-in-first-div-i-game-100315

 

[TJ]

Yawn. Let me know when we play each other in Sand Volleyball

 

[puckhead]

Yawn. Let me know when we play each other in Sand Volleyball

That explains it, UofA thought they were going to be playing volleyball.

 

[puckhead]

Nice write up in the Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/s...ision-i.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur&_r=4

 

[82CardsGrad]

Nice write up in the Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/s...ision-i.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur&_r=4

 

[puckhead]

Coach Powers gives a history lesson on ASU hockey and the move to D-1.

I had no idea about any of this.

Now you'll know what it means to be Whataburgered.

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/greg-powers-arizona-state-hockey/

 

[jf-08]

Coach Powers gives a history lesson on ASU hockey and the move to D-1.

I had no idea about any of this.

Now you'll know what it means to be Whataburgered.

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/greg-powers-arizona-state-hockey/

Great article!