March 21, 2008
The Hotdish?: WCHA Announces New Showcase Event
by Dane DeKrey/Staff Writer
ST. PAUL, Minn. — WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod hopes his league's newly announced midseason "State of Minnesota College Hockey Showcase" will acquire a one-word catchphrase similar to Hockey East's coveted Beanpot tournament.
He couldn't come up with much.
"It would be great for this showcase to get a name like they have with the Beanpot out East," said McLeod. "With our showcase being in the Midwest, my first inclination was the Hotdish."
While a name like the Hotdish may not catch on, McLeod believes that the showcase that pits the WCHA's four Minnesota teams — Minnesota, Minnesota State, Saint Cloud State, and Minnesota-Duluth — against one another at the Xcel Arena in St. Paul, Minn., will. McLeod said that the creation of such a showcase has been in the works for some time, it was just a matter of working out what he called the logistics surrounding the event.
"We have had a long association with hockey in the state of Minnesota and the fans have been clamoring for an event like this for many, many years," McLeod said. "Now that we have something initiated, we feel a sense of responsibility to keep it going."
To keep it going, McLeod said, will take cooperation between all four Minnesota programs and the WCHA. And with complicated schedules and home game commitments, the showcase is being held on a one year "exploratory" basis, with aspirations of long term viability.
The host schools for the inaugural showcase will be Mankato and Duluth, both of whom forfeited a home weekend series in exchange. Doing so, according to Mankato Athletic Director Kevin Buisman, will have its costs and benefits, but ultimately, he believes the long term benefits will outweigh any short term costs.
"It's a wonderful to reach out to our alumni in the Twin Cities and great exposure for our program and the league," Buisman said. "It's also a financial windfall too large for a program like ours to ignore. I hope it can be a win-win situation for everyone involved."
The two schools roles were further explained in a press release by the WCHA.
"As host institutions, Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth will split the gate proceeds, in a revenue sharing arrangement that also includes the Xcel Energy Center. The WCHA will retain broadcast and advertising rights for the event, which McLeod feels can be used to leverage exposure for the league during the season and for its signature postseason tournament, the Red Baron WCHA Final Five held each March in the Xcel Energy Center."
The showcase is slated for November 1, 2008 and tickets to the event range from $30-40 dollars and will be sold as a two game package deal.
that is a stupid idea.
Mar 22 2008, 1:09 am by Melvin, GF, ND
Mariucci Arena was too small the minute after they laid the last brick. They could sell 3-5,000 more tickets at Xcel every time North Dakota, Wisconsin, St. Cloud and Duluth come to town. Instead, the UM choose to not let regional fans attend gopher games, meanwhile the university is complaining about overall revenue for sports being insufficient. The recent Final Five proves the draw of fans to St. Paul, but more importantly, hockey. Kudos to the AD's of these programs.
Mar 22 2008, 3:32 am by jim, woodbury
Of course someone from North Dakota would think this was a stupid idea. It works in Massachuseetts with the Beanpot Tourney and it will work in Minnesota. I think it is a good idea and I would make a special trip from Seattle to watch a tourney like this. Go Gophers!
Mar 22 2008, 5:19 am by jbuss, seattle
Great hockey is great hockey, no matter who plays. It is time that Minnesota hockey takes center stage. I believe that fans from around the state and region will flock to the EXCEL to see this new format.
Mar 22 2008, 10:04 am by Scott, Duluth
Maybe UND can come up with a showcase tournament featuring Minot, Bismark, and Fargo. Sounds like fun.
Mar 22 2008, 11:34 am by Ron, Minneapolis
Will these games count in the WCHA standings?
Mar 22 2008, 7:00 pm by Dan, Parker
Melvin your blog sounds stupid. This tourney sounds like a lot of fun and I would love to watch it. The one thing is this sounds like the DQ cup put into one weekend. I believe this would bring in revenue to the smaller schools that need it more then the main U.
Mar 22 2008, 11:29 pm by hockey fan nd
If they want to make this an all-Minnesota showcase, that's fine by me, but they should certainly NOT attach this to the WCHA. The Beanpot is not billed as a Hockey East event, and since some of the WCHA's premier teams wouldn't be eligible for this, it shouldn't be a "WCHA" tournament. Make it a "Minnesota" thing, and that's great.
Mar 23 2008, 1:46 am by Chris Haake, Grand Forks ND
This does not even seem like a tournament. It just seems like shuffling around WCHA league games. Dumb idea. They have the DQ Cup for a reason. What's the point of this if there is not champion of the weekend?
Mar 23 2008, 9:04 pm by Ben, East Grand Forks.
this just proves that McLeod is seriously an idiot, knowbody would care about that anywhere in the country, not even in minnesota. UM is the only prime "mainstream" team in it... why don't you just call it the dirty sanchez??? so stupid is commical
Mar 23 2008, 10:23 pm by Dusten (Madison)
This is a very great idea for college hockey. You und and badger fans are just bitter that you can't be in this that is why you think that this is a stupid idea. Tell me this, how does this affect you? From what I here is that Duluth and Mankato are giving up a home game to do this so why are you all so bitter? This is great for The State of Hockey. The last time I checked North Dakota and Wisconsin were not the state of hockey.
Mar 24 2008, 6:07 am by
McLeod would know, if he were a "true" Minnesotan, that a "hotdish" is only served to family at home.
If you're having people over, or taking it to someone else's house, it's a "casserole".
Mar 24 2008, 5:24 pm by Siouxfan, Duluth
How about the MINNESOTA POTLUCK?
Mar 24 2008, 5:45 pm by
Well, you're right, anonymous: we UND and Badger fans must be bitter than we can't take part in this. Right. Look, learn some spelling and grammar, and then come back and talk.
Mar 24 2008, 7:04 pm by Chris Haake, Grand Forks ND
Okay everyone settle down. IMO this is a good idea that deserves to be explored. This is the type of event that grow our game. I agree that I would not attach WCHA to it even if they are involved behind the scenes with schedules, etc.. If it changes to involve other teams than maybe. I really like that the $$ is going to programs that can use it.
Also, I am a Sioux Alum and Fan and I am in favor. I think most hockey fans are because they can see this is for the betterment of weaker programs and that can only benefit all of college hockey.
Mar 24 2008, 10:31 pm by Jason Ramsey MN
This hockey tourneyment is a great idea. The state of Minnesota is rich in hockey tradition. All the better if it provides additional media exposure for the smaller division 1 schools in this state. It sounds to me like the Wisconsin and North Dakota fans are just jealous because they are excluded from this event. Are you afraid that this tourneyment may cause you to lose some of the MInnesota recruits that you both so heavily rely upon?
Mar 25 2008, 1:59 am by Jason, Elk River
Where's Bemidji?
Mar 25 2008, 12:50 pm by
Again, it is not a tournament. The winners of friday do not play in a championship game. It is just 4 games scheduled in one place. I am not against this, i just don't understand why it is not set up like a tournament. The Beanpot is a tournament. Thats why the beanpot is cool.
Mar 25 2008, 1:50 pm by Ben, East Grand Forks.
Jason - I didn't mean to say I wasn't in favor of the tournament (or group of games if it's not a tournament). I just thought "hotdish" wasn't a suitable name if you're inviting other teams over to play (or going over to their place). All tournaments are good for the game, they draw attention and give the fans and players something to look forward to each year. Play on!
Mar 25 2008, 3:04 pm by Siouxfan, Duluth
Badger Fan...and in favor of it...no matter what it's called...no matter where it's held...no matter who it involves. Let UMD, MSU, SCSU have some extra revenue. Last I checked, those arenas were much smaller than those in Madison and Grand Forks. Cha-ching.
Mar 25 2008, 9:56 pm by Kyle, Sheboygan WI
This is a terrible idea for every reason with the exception of revenue for MSU. The Mavericks narrowly missed the NCAA tournament, (whether you blame not taking advantage of home ice in the playoffs, losses to UNO, the called off goal in the WISC-DEN series, or a flawed system) and now they are giving up a conference home game. MSU’s program will not grow by conceding to the U of M and WCHA every time they can make a little extra revenue. Not to mention that FSN broadcasts U of M hockey games so broadcasting rights shouldn’t even be mentioned. The program will grow by defeating the U of M on a more consistent (as opposed to 3 times in a decade) basis. It certainly has to be easier to do so with home ice advantage. Buisman says, "It's a wonderful to reach out to our alumni in the Twin Cities and great exposure for our program and the league," bull. Just like the Final Five in 2003, and when MSU moved a game to Xcel in 2006, Gophers fans will drastically outnumber MSU fans, and the only advantage will again belong to the U. Congrats Gophers your lackeys to the south just fixed you up with another home game for next year.
Mar 26 2008, 12:29 am by Carl, Mankato MN
Why do all of you dog The U of M? From what I heard is that all schools agreed to this and even UMD and Mankato agreed to give up a home date to play this. IT is great for hockey and it is great for the state of Minnesota. So stop blaming The U for this and maybe think that is a good idea rather than a negative thing for college hockey. What about St Cloud? At Thursday's game at the Final Five, to me there seemed that there were alot of SCSU fans there and not just Gopher fans. So you from Mankato, it is not our fault that we sell out almost everyone of our games and you can't sell out yours. From the looks of it is that your tickets are one of the least expensive in the conference. So you should look at it this way, this is a way for you team to play in front of a sell out crowd for once.
Mar 26 2008, 5:15 am by
I didn't intend to give the impression that the U is to blame, if anything they should be congratulated they arent giving up anything. My point was Mankato should focus on selling out their home games (the ones in Mankato) before they start moving games to XCEL. You know it's a suitcase college when even your athletic events are moved to the cities on the weekend.
Mar 26 2008, 2:45 pm by Carl, Mankato MN
The critical question is whether all four teams will bring those dippy skating cheerleaders. Kidding - you WCHA fans seem to rile easily. Actually, it sounds like it is most of the way to a cool idea - but make it a true tournament like the Beanpot and GLI.
Mar 26 2008, 5:49 pm by Stephon, Ann Arbor
They should have a jamboree for all Minnesota college teams. Each team could play one period against the other teams. Spread it out over two days and it would be all most two full games if BSU is involved.
Mar 26 2008, 7:56 pm by hockey fan nd
Why are all you sioux fans being so bitter? I know, you guys are just mad that you can't be in it. Grow up!!!!
Mar 28 2008, 7:36 am by
They should name it after Herb Brooks. He coached at UM and St Cloud. He's a legend.
Mar 28 2008, 10:17 pm by Dave P, Bismarck
My son and I just came out from Boston for the MN Boys' State championship tourney - the best prep / hs hockey in the country. Saw 14 games in 3 1/2 days and loved every minute. If you folks decide to have a college tourney, make it competitive and Beanpot-like in format. Otherwise, what's the point? And you will do well if you sell out the X like the high school guys did. Last point: Bemidji must be in it. Mankato is not worthy.
Mar 30 2008, 12:28 am by Greg Boston, MA
I think it's a good idea but the WCHA should not be involved (aka the games should not count towards conference records). Also Bemidji should be involved. How can you have a MN State of Hockey thing and not involve the Beavers?
Oh and uh...
Go Sioux (UND alum)
I think the Gopher fans are just a little cranky after the big loss to BC today.
Mar 30 2008, 1:24 am by Jeremy, Fargo
Ron, Mpls. -- Very mature statement about N.D. ! You must be a real brainiac!
Mar 30 2008, 4:06 pm by college hockey fan, MN.
This is great.....at least it gives a MN team a chance to win SOME kind of title in their hockey season!!! We can hang a "POTLUCK CHAMP" banner from our rafters!!!
Apr 3 2008, 9:54 am by Tim, Blaine
Bemidji has to be in. Just rotate one team out every year. But if it isn't winner/winner and loser/loser in the second round games don't bother with it at all.
Apr 4 2008, 4:16 pm by JM, Minneapolis
unless this is a tourament, this is a dumb idea, It will not draw like you think it will (besides the UM fans) unless its a tournament. don't count it towards WCHA standings. Bring Bemidgi (considering the WCHA has an agreement with them for games for next year) in too and make it a winner play winner, loser play loser, top 3 teams come back the next year with the team that sat out, i think that would make a great traditional tournament.
Apr 8 2008, 2:39 pm by Tom, Fargo
