What Does Friday's Announcement Mean for College Hockey?

College Hockey was on full display during the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft in Chicago, but not only for the players selected (a total of 60 -- 18 from Big Ten schools).

On Friday, just a few hours prior to the first round of the draft, the NHL, NHLPA and a number of college hockey representatives gathered for an announcement "special to college hockey."

Coming Back -- B1Gger and Better Than Ever

That's right, after taking a season off from college hockey we decided we can't leave our loyal readers hanging just like that (plus, we missed bantering college hockey with you puckheads).

But we don't want come back in 2017-18 with the same old content, and we certainly don't want to miss anything from any of our Big Ten teams. That's why we're asking you fans for some input: What do you want to from this blog?

Should we offer better preseason coverage? Do you want to get a better look at incoming rookies? A better analysis of each game each week along with a game of the week? Should we have our own power rankings (conference and all DI)? Should we continue to have the same approach of pros and cons on the Big Ten as a whole?

In addition to content changes, we will be giving this website as well as our social media pages (@b1gicehockeyblog and B1G Ice Hockey Blog on Facebook) a much-needed facelift (so long 2011 vibe). We also want to get some extra writers on hand. We can't pay you but it never hurts to get your byline out there. Ideally we'd have a writer or two in each college town, so shoot me an email if you have some interest (see below).

We want to continue to be a mouthpiece for our fans, while also supporting a conference that has changed the college hockey landscape. We can only grow with the help of our readers, so share your feedback and help us take B1G Ice Hockey Blog to the next level.


Jessi Pierce (@jessi_pierce; jessip224@gmail.com)
B1G Ice Hockey Blog creator/editor/BAMF

ESPN Back in the Hockey Game

Ok, we know, ESPN isn't the go-to for all-things hockey related. In fact, for most hockey fans -- especially on the college level -- ESPN doesn't even register in the top 10 for hockey coverage. The channel's World Cup of Hockey commercials didn't exactly do them any favors either...

3v3 OT: Should the Big Ten Conference Adopt it?

By Jessi Pierce

As fans of the game, we can all agree that we like to take in some "free hockey" during the season. A last-second goal to push the game into overtime injects another level of excitement in the arena. But push it much past the first overtime -- or god-forbid five -- and things can get a bit stale.

Taking a page from the NHL's newly adopted 3-on-3 overtime rule -- approved by the NHL Board of Governor's earlier this summer -- the NCHC announced a 3-on-3 overtime for its league play, too. The team that wins in the 3-on-3 stanza, which takes place after an original 5-minute, 5-on-5 overtime, will receive an extra point in conference standings.

2015-16 Penn State Freshman Preview

By Miles McQuinn

Number of players lost: 9 – (7 due to graduation, 1 to the NHL (Casey Bailey, Toronto) and 1 by dismissal due to violation of team rules (Scott Conway))

Number of incoming freshmen: 7

Last year, in just its third season as a division I program, Penn State looked like it was a program on the verge of great things. Had they been able to keep their leading scorer, Casey Bailey, around for another season and had leading freshman scorer, Scott Conway, not violated team rules, the Nittany Lions could have been considered a top two finisher in the Big Ten this season. But those losses, plus the graduation of dishmaster Taylor Holstrom puts a major dent in the offense. The graduation of Partrick Koudys and Nate Jensen from the defensive core are considerable losses as well.

I don't see any of Penn State's freshmen forwards being able to make up for the losses, but I do see them having a potential role regarding the depth of the team as fourth liners. The defensemen have some quality talent, and I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of them play a primary role this season.

So let's check out Penn State's incoming freshmen for the 2015-16 campaign.

2015-16 Ohio State Freshman Preview

By Miles McQuinn

Number of Players Lost: 8 (all due to graduation)

Number of Incoming Freshmen: 10

The spring of 2013-14 was a devastating one for head coach Steve Rohlik and his Ohio State squad. Losing Hobey Baker candidate Ryan Dzingel and point producer Max McCormick to Binghamton (AHL) proved to be a significant blow heading into the 2014-15 season. OSU's talent up front was diluted and injuries didn't help either.

This upcoming season the Buckeyes notice a hit of players too, graduating eight and losing a core group of guys. Of them, forwards like Matt Johnson and Nick Oddo, as well as defenseman Justin DaSilva, are tough to lose. The departure of team captain Tanner Fritz is the toughest to deal with. But, unlike last season, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. With some of the talent they have coming in, along with some veteran goaltending and a few point producers already on the team, OSU is making steps in the right direction as a program.

Let's have a look at Ohio State's incoming freshman class, leading up to the impact players at the end.

Big Ten Hockey at the 2015 NHL Draft

By Miles McQuinn 

The 2015 NHL Draft is in the books, and the Big Ten Conference had a solid showing.

Of the 56 college hockey players drafted, 16 are from the Big Ten, second most among all of college hockey's conferences.

Of the 210 draftees, 7.6% are heading to/are in the Big Ten.

Let's break things down by the numbers and I'll add in some thoughts as well.

Rutgers Hockey: Could It Be Reality?

By Jessi Pierce

Rutgers University put college sports on the map -- literally. The Scarlet Knights were one of the first universities in the U.S. to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Herolded as the "Birthplace of College Football," there's no doubt that Rutgers is a school with pride in sports. These days the Scarlet Knights are better known for their football and men's and women's basketball squads. While those sports are struggling to make a name for themselves in the Big Ten, the students, athletes and fans at Rutgers have another way to make a mark in their new conference home: add hockey.

Rutgers hockey? How feasible is that? With the current support of 2,674 and growing, I'd say it's not completely out of the question.

Blame Game: Where does the real blame lie when it comes to attendance?

By Jessi Pierce

Another tournament has come and gone. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for the fans. Empty seats once again lined the rows at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. As I watched from home I couldn't help but notice the emptiness. It was almost a glaring distraction from the on-ice action.

It's sad when the topic of conversation switches from the hard work of the teams to the attendance -- or lack thereof. Players worked hard all season to be celebrated at a conference tournament, only to have few more than mom and dad in the crowd.

"You get to this time of the year, and you want to play in front of good crowds," Gopher head coach Don Lucia told the Detroit Free Press. "Doesn't matter if they're cheering for you or against you. It's kind of what you're used to all season long."

But the more pressing issue isn't just the lack of attendance, it's the question of why. Why do fans continue to remove themselves from conference tournaments? Where has the passion gone and will it come back?

Tourney Talk: Thoughts Heading Into Big Ten Tournament

By Miles McQuinn

What a wild finish to the Big Ten Conference regular season. All six teams are set to make their journey to Joe Louis Arena with the hopes of not only a conference title, but the chance to play for an NCAA title as well. Unfortunately, it looks like the Big Ten will only have one, maybe two representatives in the big dance this year. Regardless, here's my thoughts on each team as an exciting weekend in the motor city quickly approaches.

Michigan, Penn State Lead Season Awards

The Big Ten announced its end of the year awards Monday morning. Michigan and Penn State tied for nine awards a piece, with Michigan's freshman phenom Dylan Larkin being a unanimous selection in three categories. Michigan State netminder Jake Hildebrand made an impression this year. His outstanding play between the pipes -- where he led the conference in every goaltending category -- earned him Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year. Minnesota's Mike Reilly also found himself in a familiar place, winning the Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

"Big Pond" Deserves Big Donation

Big Ten hockey needs expansion, Illini are my call from the bullpen

By Miles McQuinn

You can never have too much of a good thing.

In its second campaign, the Big Ten conference hasn't had the greatest year. According to the lates USCHO.com poll, Michigan is the only Big Ten team in the Top 20, sitting at No. 14. Penn State is next in line to hop into the rankings, and Minnesota isn't far behind, as both have received a decent amount of votes.

After a disappointing inaugural tournament attendance-wise at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., the conference is hoping for a little more success in Detroit for this year's tournament.

While the Big Ten is hoping for redemption, most likely in the form of Michigan come NCAA Tournament time, I'm hoping that a generous individual (or individuals) are hoping to play the same role that Terry Pegula once played.

Why the B1G Bust in 2014-15?

By Jessi Pierce

It's been a rough year two for many Big Ten hockey fans. While Michigan and Penn State and find themselves enjoying the top of conference standings respectively, perennial powerhouses Minnesota and Wisconsin are facing struggles that have shaken their fan bases to the core. Meanwhile Michigan State and Ohio State continue to work for establishment in the middle of the pack.

On a nationwide scale the darkness of the Big Ten is even more noticeable. Take a look at the college polls and you'll be hard pressed to find a Big Ten team in the top 15 -- especially in recent weeks.

Grassroots Growth = College Growth = Hockey Growth

By Jessi Pierce

What's one main thing you hear hockey fans groan and gripe about each season?

"No one is ever talking about or paying attention to hockey."

It's a pain we all know to be true. We feel jaded by the fact baseball (boring) and basketball (the worst) gain all the attention while hockey quietly sits in the background. It's due to the nicheness of our sport. It takes a unique breed to watch, play and overall enjoy hockey. Our numbers just aren't on par with those baseball, basketball and football players.

But that's starting to change.

Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge Doesn't Disappoint Once Again

Storied programs provide perfect early season excitement

By Miles MicQuinn

If you're like me, you salivate at the idea of teams like Boston College and Minnesota going head to head. Two teams who share a total of 10 national championships – five a piece – between them and come reloaded every season. It’s comparable to Alabama and LSU or Ohio State and Michigan on the gridiron in that the match-up can’t be beat.

Our Big Ten Wish List For 2014-15

Finally. Let the puck drop and let's get the season underway. Last year proved that the world didn't implode thanks to the newly elected conferences and the parity was a bit closer than most may have thought. And like all seasons last year was full of upsets and surprises much to the excitement of college hockey fans everywhere.

So what do we want to see in 2014-15? Here are a few thoughts that immediately come to mind:

Big Ten Media Day: Quotables

Big Ten Media Day invaded Joe Louis Arena Wednesday -- preparing the legendary home of the Detroit Red Wings for March's Big Ten Conference Championship.

Lots was learned and even some fun was had along the way. Here are a few of our favorite quotes from the day:

Big Ten Expansion -- What Does It Mean For Hockey?

By Jessi Pierce

On July 1, the Big Ten Conference became home to 14. The University of Maryland and Rutgers are now official Big Ten members, with Johns Hopkins University joining on the men's lacrosse field (that should be interesting for the up and coming Big Ten D1 lacrosse schools...).

23 Big Ten Hockey Athletes Earn Distinguished Scholar Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced on Wednesday that 683 student-athletes have earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award. The list includes student-athletes from every institution and 37 different sports who have recorded a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year.

  

Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Similar to the Academic All-Big Ten honor, Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must be letterwinners in at least their second academic year at their institution. However, the Distinguished Scholar Award encompasses only student-athletes with a minimum GPA of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year, excluding summer school. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for a student-athlete’s academic career.

Michigan

Zach Hyman, So., Torono, Ontario, history major

Luke Moffatt, Sr., Paradise Valley, Ariz., business administration major