HOCKEY: Here Comes The BIG 10 Hockey Conference

We all knew it was coming, but not everyone seems to grasp the potential devastation of this move by the Empire ... er ... Big 10.

The Big 10 is planning to sponsor college hockey with Penn State adding the sport. The plan is to move forward with this Big 10 hockey league beginning with the 2013-14 season.

Needless to say (maybe for some people it is necessary to say) ... THIS IS HUGE news. Smaller programs like Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University and others could be in serious trouble without guaranteed home games against schools like the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

The Detroit Free Press has published statements released by MSU from Mark Hollis, the director of athletics, and Lou Anna Simon, the president of the university.

From Hollis: “We are excited about the launch of hockey in the Big Ten Conference. I believe that sponsoring men’s ice hockey will enhance the conference, its member institutions, and college hockey. Playing only 20 conference games will allow our programs to continue to play non-conference contests against in-state rivals, important tournaments like the Great Lakes Invitational, and a competitive national schedule.”

Comment: What Hollis is saying is that there are some open slots in the schedules of the soon-to-be-departed U-M, MSU and Ohio State. What he is not telling you is there is virtually no chance any of those schools will ever play a non-conference game in Ewigleben Ice Arena again. MSU may let schools like Ferris come to Munn Ice Arena once in a while, but that's it. What Hollis and Michigan want is to play a more national schedule where they will not be locked into trips to Big Rapids, Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie.

From President Simon: “When one considers the locations of the Big Ten universities, competing athletically on the ice is a natural next step for the conference. Our relationship with the Central Collegiate Hockey Association has been beneficial both in terms of athletics and academics, and we are pleased that we will continue to face off against CCHA teams in non-conference competition.”

Comment: Same as above ... the relationships will continue, but on a far smaller scale and with the advantages going to U-M and MSU. Ferris and others will have to play in Munn and Yost ice arenas (if they're lucky enough to get that chance) and will get no breaks on any calls in those facilities. This is the beginning of what could be some dark days in college hockey for the smaller schools.

Here is the Detroit Free Press article: http://www.freep.com/article/20110321/SPORTS08/110321042/0/ENT03/Big-Ten-planning-form-hockey-league-2013?odyssey=nav|head