Could the rumors be true

About the USHL giving up their Teir I and reverting back to Teir II status in the next couple of years, now that Gino is retiring?

First off, there are no rumors, just shit someone made up to give us something to talk about.

Secondly, no. Why would the USHL downgrad their status, when the upgrade to Tier One has brought them so much more attention?

To ask the question though, what would be the goal of a downgrade in status? It sure wouldn't save any money, because operating costs sure aren't going down.

Jrhockeyfan wrote:

To ask the question though, what would be the goal of a downgrade in status? It sure wouldn't save any money, because operating costs sure aren't going down.

I have not heard a word about this, but if the USHL decided to drop to Tier II, there could be savings for the teams if the league wanted there to be. For example, in Tier I, the teams are required to pay for the players' housing costs, but in Tier II the player (or player's family) can be responsible for that. That alone is about a $50,000 difference in the costs required for Tier I status as compared to Tier II.

Again, I have not heard anything about this and I am not at all saying there is anything to it. However, there are cost savings associated with being Tier II instead of Tier I. Not to mention the fact that some of the current USHL teams are not meeting the attendance requirements (or have those been done away with?).

kevgraub wrote:

I am not at all saying there is anything to it.

I am. There is nothing to it. Nothing at all.

Kev, your response was well written and obviously well thought out. However, the USHL is not looking to downgrade their status. They are moving to EXPAND their product. The move to tier one has brought more attention and more serious consideration as the top Junior hockey league in the United States. In fact, in my opinion, you will be more likely to see the USHL, while still working under rules to keep their players NCAA eligible, to become the fourth league, along with the WHL, OHL and QMJHL, to compete annually for the Memorial Cup. That's not going to happen anytime soon, but that's infinately more likely to happen than any downgrade in status.

Downgrade to Tier Two is NOT going to happen in anyone's lifetime.

Like I said, I don't have any knowledge about it at all. I was just pointing out that there is a cost savings to being Tier II.

I do remain curious about the attendance requirements though. I know when the USHL went Tier I, there was the requirement that teams average around 2,000 a game (or show a likelihood that the attendance requirements would be met in the near future).

Has that attendance requirement been eliminated by USA Hockey? If not, what are the plans for the Ohio franchise? Also, it appears that Chicago is now only multiplying its actual attendance by about 3 rather than 6, and it too is falling far short of the attendance requirements this year. I also really, really question whether Fargo is going to come close to the 2,000 level, especially once the lure of the new arena wears off.

Again, maybe USA Hockey has done away with the attendance requirements, or they are just not really enforcing it. However, if it is still there, and they are planning on enforcing it, then I think the USHL has some tough choices ahead (either jettisoning teams or dropping to Tier II). Maybe the choices are not that tough. My perspective is simply that of an outsider, and I recognize that. But from the outside, it looks like something is going to have to change.

Attendace requirements where dropped thanks to the NAHL and thier push to get T1 status also.

iowaninja wrote:

Attendace requirements where dropped thanks to the NAHL and thier push to get T1 status also.

Ah, thank you.

NAHL? Tier One? Thanks for the laugh. I needed it!

Ditto, dildo!

Our team in Owatonna is gonna move up to the USHL. We can kick butt. (Once we have players of course)

Dream on. Its nice to dream but one needs to wake up now and then. Best of luck..

Expressor wrote:

Our team in Owatonna is gonna move up to the USHL. We can kick butt. (Once we have players of course)

How's it gonna do either one of those things?

Expressor wrote:

Our team in Owatonna is gonna move up to the USHL. We can kick butt. (Once we have players of course)

What the hell? I love when people just type shit to hear shit. The Southern Minnesota Express will be a NAHL team.

http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=496

Jrhockeyfan wrote:

Expressor wrote: Our team in Owatonna is gonna move up to the USHL. We can kick butt. (Once we have players of course) How's it gonna do either one of those things?

Agreed for a change you used asswipe.

Jrhockeyfan wrote:

NAHL? Tier One? Thanks for the laugh. I needed it!

I understand the laughter, but now that it was mentioned, isn't that what really did cause USA Hockey to do away with the attendance requirements for Tier I? I seem to remember the NAHL trying to get Tier I status shortly after the USHL went Tier I, and I was thinking that the 2,000 fan per game minimum (or 60,000 fan per season, whichever it was), was dropped as a result.

SCAMMED wrote:

Jrhockeyfan wrote: Expressor wrote: Our team in Owatonna is gonna move up to the USHL. We can kick butt. (Once we have players of course) How's it gonna do either one of those things? Agreed for a change you used asswipe.

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