Leaderboard

Yes, they probably will be behind the programs that I mentioned (except maybe Niagara) but as was pointed out by other members, D1 hockey is the one sport that is not as divided into "have's and have not's". The Michigan's, Minnesota's, BU's, and Denver's are going to be the programs that recruit the 18 year old's that get drafted in June, but because of the role of junior hockey, teams like Quinnipiac, Union, and Providence can compete and win by bringing in players that are 20-21 years old and compete at a championship level. RMU could and can compete with those teams, and having better facilities would help with attracting better players.

You don’t seem to be a fan of RMU hockey.

Our family is out of the game as it pertains to pahl, pihl and anything youth hockey. My only 2 cents is my sons pahl team when he was 14u had a female player (she was very good) but missed half of the pahl co-ed games due to conflicts with her girls team or the other 3rd (and 4th) team she was on. At one point the conflict was them playing each other. I feel that is an issue. A pahl teammate missing games/practice for a pihl conflict is ok and acceptable. But to miss because of pahl or similar conflicts I see an issue...Mind you this was years ago, I can imagine it happens more now. Just something to think about..... Boys only miss for pihl hockey conflicts... So ultimately it hurts the team (s) they may be multi rostered on....

well aren't you just a ray of sunshine. I did some research : The Colonials got off to their best start in program history in 2021 at 11-3 and saw themselves ranked within the USCHO Top 20 for much of the season, reaching a program-best #17 in January. At 15-9 overall and 10-5-0 in AHA play, the Colonials earned a West Division title while boasting the AHA Coach of the Year as well as conference MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Defenseman of the Year. The top offensive team in AHA and one of the most prolific in all of college hockey, RMU's 85 goals was one of the highest totals in all of NCAA DI, and their 25% success rate on the power-play was tops in the conference. - this happens to be the SAME year the program was ended by the President. Schooley's team has reached four AHA title games and raised three championship banners since the start of the decade. After making the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament via an AHA postseason title in 2013-14, the Colonials ruled the league during the grueling regular season in 2014-15 and 2015-16, winning 24 games in each of those years. Additionally - several players from RMU have gone on to play professional hockey on some level. Then let's talk about the women's program - 4 women played in the Olympics - 2 earning medals. 3 banners for winning CHA and several women drafted into Professional Women's hockey.

It's been a few years but we found it to be a giant waste of time. I am not the only one. I don't think it hurts to go, but to move on as a Tier 2 player is....the exception for sure.

I agree. The comment about RMU losing to a D3 program doesn't have much weight. I don't see that happening. The D3 programs that were good enough to be D1 programs moved up to D1 a long time ago (St Cloud State, Mercyhurst, RIT, Bemiji State, etc.). The D3 programs left are barely better than ACHA D1 teams, and in fact in many case are not even that good. Yes, the big-time programs are going to dominate, but with only about 60 NCAA D1 programs any given year, there is just too much talent that RMU won't get some. Not granting the full 18 scholarships and smaller budgets will hurt, of course. The comment about the coaches not being the right staff to get them to a better spot, maybe that is true too. But despite the comments about there being too many Tier 1 programs around, there is still plenty of talent in the US, Canada, and Europe for RMU to fill its roster because of the scarcity of NCAA D1 options. I do think an on-campus rink and better facilities will help. It's not like basketball, where there are hundreds of programs & choices. If this option is a little better, their recruits will get better too. I am definitely not saying RMU is going to be a top choice for top 10 draft picks, but calling it a "last ditch" is not really true either. The alumni report certainly isn't as impressive as Michigan's or even UMass's, but it's not like there aren't some good players who went to RMU: https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/alumni.php?tmi=7731

I think the Moon goalie proved this last night

See this is the problem with hockey. "Theoretically" a lot of people may not want to pay for or have the funds to pay for Excel, Pens, and North Catholic as you would probably pay about $30,000+ for the season. Some people may not want to run their kids 50 minutes both directions to play for Pens. Your top 5-6 players and maybe goalies at Pens are possibly at another level but after that most of the other players are interchangeable with the top players from the other high level local teams. That's why it shouldn't be a free ride for certain organizations and they need to attempt to be as fair as possible. I think Mid Am does a pretty good job. It will never be perfect and there is always room for improvement.

But but but I thought the Blue division was Class A -2 because none of their teams were as good as the Gold division.

Wow, and that's why they play the games!

This isn't happening. The guy who had the best chance at making this happen has moved along. I tried to find the old thread but did not have success but about 12-15 months ago there were people on here crowing about another sheet of ice at UPMC and they were "in the know" that a USHL team was assured. Not a shovel-full of dirt has been dug. The USHL has the perfect model, keep it small enough to prevent it from being watered down and they will remain the best Jr League in the world.

Makes sense if you have the right evaluators with no ties to the MidAm. Bring them in from other Districts! Make the kids all wear black or white helmets with no stickers. There is a fair way to do it and it's not what is going on right now!