whatever

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.

The island complex hosts the hockey programs as well as track and field and rowing, plus the golf dome. Just my two cents: I noticed the article states the new rink would be the practice facility for the DI team. There are numerous hockey club teams at RMU as well - possibly the island would stay as their practice facility? I believe the club teams are very lucrative. I also noticed when I go to the games - all sheets of ice are booked into late hours of the night. It seems they have no problem filling ice time. Plus the cafe always seems busy. The island hosts other sporting events/ practices for other school activities. The cafe attracts those people as well as feed the athletes. Another bit of info: season ticket holders for this year's men's team was over 1500. Season ticket holders would be above and beyond students attending games. All in all - I believe having an updated complex for the D1 teams and having it on campus is a plus for the school. I guess the $ being offered to part with the island complex would determine whether to part with it. - I just think with the other events going on at the island complex - parting with it may not be in the cards. It's kind of the hub for all the events. And you never know - maybe Pittsburgh will get a USHL team someday and two additional sheets of ice will come in handy!

https://triblive.com/sports/robert-morris-seeks-to-build-28m-hockey-arena/?fbclid=IwAR0nQJxfuKTWR2tBcA-G1_4efF8kr8jKIcTXS9IgnBLNtcHNKSVaL0jzy3A Robert Morris University wants to build a $28 million arena on campus for its Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs and is seeking $10 million from the state for the project. If it comes to fruition, the state-of- the-art venue would hold 2,500 people through general spectator seats “with premium seating,” according to a grant application submitted by RMU to the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The building would hold twice as many spectators as the current Clearview Arena in the RMU Island Sports Center in Neville Island. Potential on-campus sites for the arena were not identified. The application states that additional parking would be required. The 100,000-square-foot development also would house enhanced training and locker room facilities, offices, plus regional amenities to meet the needs of youth and amateur hockey players. The application envisions 18 months of construction that could be completed in summer 2027, prior to the Colonials’ 2027-28 hockey seasons. In response to an inquiry about the application, the university released a statement Sunday evening from RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris King. It confirmed that the school is “actively exploring” the arena. “This strategic initiative represents a blending of our pursuit of competitive excellence with our ongoing commitment to serving the needs of the greater community,” the statement read in part. “The new arena would serve as a vital source of revenue, crucial for the long-term sustainability of our Division I ice hockey programs, whose resurgence has been fueled by fundraising support. “ He added that “it would significantly expand local access to top-tier ice facilities for youth and women’s hockey programs in our region in combination with our existing facilities at the RMU Island Sports Center.” A new home for the Colonials would continue a dramatic turnaround in fortunes from May 2021, when the private college of approximately 3,500 students announced it was discontinuing both programs. Amid an uproar from program supporters, the university reversed course and later reinstated Division I hockey for the 2023-24 season. The state funds would be through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). It is a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the design, acquisition and construction of a regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement project, according to the DCED’s website. In the application, submitted by officials including Robert Morris President Michelle Patrick, the university states the arena would benefit both the campus and region. “The project will bolster regional economic development efforts through attendees to athletic events,” it states. “The project will also attract prospective students and families to the region.” It also said, “As a showplace venue, it draws additional events to campus, contributing to the region’s vibrancy and enhancing the overall campus experience, a concern the university is constantly looking to address.” RMU says its NCAA Division I athletics programs “bring national media exposure, and an attractive modern facility will elevate the school’s image.” RMU leadership will commence meetings with an architectural firm to begin design within a year of receipt of the project funding to determine the arena’s build-out, hard cost, and schematics, according to the application. “The facility project will require two sheets of ice to maximize the institution’s annual revenue opportunities and provide a practice facility for the RMU D1 Hockey programs,” the application stated. Officials said the university and its Board of Trustees will initiate a supplementary $18 million campaign in capital investment, corporate naming partners, and donor investment to fund the project entirely.

I don't have a crystal ball but I am guessing the school would continue to own the rink. I was told it was profitable. Plus there are other school sports acitivities on the island at that property.

If they would get the grant and be able to build a new rink - I would guess they keep the current rink as well. I believe the facility is profitable for the school.

https://burghhockey.com/rmu-requests-state-grant-for-on-campus-hockey-arena/. Robert Morris University has requested a $10 million state funding grant for construction of a new hockey facility. The RMU request was submitted to the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) program, a state program for “the design, acquisition, and construction of a regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement project.” The request details that the grant is for new construction of a 100,000 square foot hockey facility on the RMU campus in Moon Township with two sheets of ice and seating for 2,500. The facility will also have office space and locker rooms for the university’s men’s and women’s hockey teams. The application for the grant does not guarantee acceptance, and RMU will be competing with other projects from around the region and the state for limited funds. It’s not clear if the university plans to proceed with the arena project if the grant is not obtained. A Robert Morris athletics spokesperson declined to comment on the news. The programs have played at RMU Island Sports Center in Neville Island since they were founded in the 2004-05 season. That facility being located off campus, its small size and limited ability to upgrade it were factors in RMU deciding to eliminate the hockey programs after the 2020-21 season. A grassroots local fundraising efforts brought the teams back to life, with the Colonials wrapping up their first season back in action this weekend. The men’s team is finishing its regular season at Air Force, while the women’s team is looking to advance in the CHA playoffs against Mercyhurst.

My son played AAA and varsity. When it was time for the varsity games - middle of the week usually - he rarely was a standout. It was embarrassing at times. He held his own but wasn’t playing his potential. Yes , it was on purpose. He didn’t want to risk injury at a varsity game that would prevent him from playing AAA. He only played his game In the varsity playoffs. Agree or disagree - he looked at varsity as an opportunity to contribute but didn’t want to take over . For some of his team mates that was their only hockey for the week . Just sharing our experience as you decide a hockey players worthiness from a middle school, JV or varsity game you got to see . Oh and yes , my son made mid ams every year he tried out and had the privilege of going to National Camps . He didn’t go the first year - 14’s because we believed every thing everyone said - that it was a farce . After mid ams we got a phone call asking why we didn’t attend . We said we just didn’t see a reason to. We were then encouraged to attend in the future. Sure glad we did. So. I believe the Hockey heads in Mid ams or evaluators have a sense going in who to keep an eye out for . Yes , there are bubble players for making it - and I bet a good tryout is the final determination . I want to also add … don’t go by who was cut or who made what team as to whether they are worthy or not - hind site - a young gentlemen made mid ams and was cut from his Pens Elite team - went to a prep school - made the NHL draft watch list and was given an offer to an IVY league college to play NCAA div 1 . So evaluators saw fit to send him to Nationals while the Pens Elite cut him. To this day he is still playing hockey at that IVY league school. Of the kids my son went to National Camps with from Mid ams about half are still playing (in college) It’s not a perfect system but let’s give people who know hockey some credit .

Wonder if the refs were paid before they closed up ?

Looked at his Elite Prospect - he also played in the NCDC for 19 games.

https://www.therinklive.com/junior-and-prospects/usa-hockey-announces-2023-24-ntdp-u17-roster?fbclid=IwAR1kwHWoVsdUvr3Ri0jQhv2NGvZ2_BAtvq_P0_gGJ6LXynCu-B-L5fgxr0Y

My son felt he was ready for AAA hockey around 12 or 13. Tried out at Esmark - was cut. Was told his size was too small. Pens Elite tryouts were the next week He asked to tryout. We believed all the things we had heard - the team was pre determined, If you didn't get invited you didn't stand a chance, it's all political....blah, blah, blah. We still let him tryout. He made the team. Yes, he was a bottom player. The next year (14U)- was the very first year black teams were being introduced. He was put on the black team. Coach explained - if we put you on Gold - you'll sit on the bench for games. If we put you on black - you'll get top minutes. My son was crushed - but after cooling down and thinking it through he decided to stick it out. He played the next year on black team. My kid worked hard as did every kid on that black team. (That year - the Black team beat the gold team at Mid ams.) My son continued to develop - loved the game. He continued to learn to play the speed of the game and to even pick up the speed on his shifts. It wasn't always roses and sunshine at Pens Elite. But, he continued to grow. He stayed through 16's then played 18's at a prep school. He ended up playing in the NAHL and is playing NCAA Div.1 hockey. He was a bottom player of a AAA team at 12 / 13. What changed that? skating, skating, skating - drills, practice, lessons, shooting pucks everyday in the driveway. Does the kid want to wear the jacket to wear the jacket or does he actually want to put the work in to develop? I watched Pens Elite cut a kid that then went to a prep school - that led to being drafted by the USHL and then committed to an Ivy league school for Div.1 hockey - the Pens Elite aren't the final say on a kids destiny.

My son was a Pens black kid once - and now he is NCAA Div. 1. Pens Black, while painful at the time for him ended up being the best scenario because it increased his playing time. His previous year's coach spoke to him before they released the rosters and told him he was getting a better coach and the playing time he needed to continue to develop. He would have been the bottom on the Gold team. Interestingly enough - the black team beat the gold team that year at mid-ams. I could go on and on about our experience as he developed and how many times he was passed over at the Pens but that's not what this thread is about.

Quit a few area kids play for Ohio U. I'm going to tune in. Thanks!

When my son was at Penns Elite for a few years, I believe it was three, his academics suffered. As parents we didn't realize how much UNTIL he was invited to a Prep school where the Priority was academics. 3 practice days a week he wasn't getting home till close to midnight. Plus all the travel - many missed days etc. Once he moved to a Prep school his academics were a priority (as they should be). No way did they have a schedule like the one described above but early mornings, and after school most days. While I never imagined I would move my kid away from home when he was young - man, I am glad I did. Once he got to prep school, he realized he was a smart kid. His confidence soared. I also believe it's part of the reason he made it to Div.1 hockey. I know other kids that are better (in my eyes) as a hockey player but didn't have the grades. When we started at Pens Elite his coach would ask how his grades were - they would chit chat but really no solid intention to emphasize the importance. Their mission statement said academics was important (as well as developing local kids) . I guess I am saying all this to point out the fact that the switch to the current program - maybe is to act as a prep school and put more emphasis on academics. If you aren't the top of the top - then you need grades to help pull you up to the next level.

What percentage of kids moving to Div.1 would seem like an acceptable amount ? Do you all realize how hard it is to continue to move up the ladder? Is there an amount an organization should have to be considered successful? I'm struggling with following the logic of where this thread has gone. Is the only bar for claiming success reaching the pros?, Div. 1 commitments, Juniors?