Big Ten hockey? Weekend pair offers glance at the possibility

After a little tango with the WCHA, the Michigan hockey team is back to same-old, same-old this weekend.

Two more CCHA opponents are lined up for the Wolverines - and these games will be much more important to Michigan's season than were Wisconsin and Minnesota. And for some reason, it seems like there is something wrong with that.

After attending a game at the College Hockey Showcase in Madison last weekend, you get the sense that there is potential for more than just a weekend "hi-how-are-ya" between these teams.

Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Minnesota are four of the most established and prestigious programs in the nation. And the schools have something else in common: the Big Ten.

Depending on who you talk to, the Showcase was first conceived with the Big Ten in mind.

Originally, all four programs were members of the WCHA, but the modern era of college hockey swept Michigan and Michigan State into the CCHA. Fearing the rivalries between the big four Midwestern programs would wither, the schools cooked up a weekend batch of games around Thanksgiving, pitting the nonconference teams against each other.

In 1993 when the series began, all games were played at the Palace of Auburn Hills. But as the Showcase matured, it moved onto the college campuses of Big Ten country.

The fact that all four Showcase teams are also Big Ten schools is no coincidence, according to Michigan State coach Ron Mason. He maintains that the Showcase was created "mainly to regenerate Big Ten rivalries" that had once existed in the WCHA.

On Showcase weekend, "You're playing the program more than the team," Mason said.

Michigan coach Red Berenson agrees with the latter, but doesn't think the Big Ten connection is all that much of a factor, citing tradition as the cornerstone of the event.

"These programs are so steep in tradition. Michigan and Minnesota have played more than any other team," Berenson said. "And Wisconsin has had more than their fair share of national championships. There's a mystique behind their program."

But whether the Big Ten constant is a key part of the Showcase or not, its existence is thought-provoking.

Is it an altogether silly notion to ponder the possibility of a Big Ten hockey league?

Again, it depends on who you ask.

Five Big Ten schools sponsor varsity-level, Division I hockey programs. Take the four Showcase teams from either leagues, and also add Ohio State, from the CCHA.

In order to even consider a new Big Ten hockey conference, almost everyone important agrees that there would be a need for at least six programs. So why even think about it? One team short, right?

That could change sooner rather than later. Penn State has a very successful club program that many CCHA coaches feel could make the jump to Division I with relative ease. And then there is the Notre Dame wild card. Should the powers that be decree - for better or worse - Notre Dame part of the Big Ten, that could also raise the hockey school total to six.

"You hear all the time about Notre Dame possibly joining the Big Ten," Mason said. "If that ever happened, I think we would have to look long and hard at the possibility of establishing a Big Ten league."

Six teams means five opponents, times four games per opponent equals a 20-game season Perfect?

Not so fast.

Although Mason agrees that a Big Ten league is not out of the realm of rational thought, he and most other coaches agree that any future dialogue should be undertaken with caution.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said the Big Ten will not take a proactive role in founding a league or championship.

Delany said he understands that the team configurations in the current college hockey conferences are balanced "on a pin," and will only take action if the schools come to him.

Some coaches fear that removing the Big Ten teams from the current structure could have devastating effects.

"College hockey is a very close fraternity," Miami coach Mark Mazzoleni said. "It has survived and elevated itself in status because it has not taken an elitist attitude."

College hockey has indeed elevated itself in status - even in the past few years - without the existence of any traditional conferences. Although the future may present the opportunity for reorganization, don't expect a Big Ten hockey league any time soon.

"It would kill college hockey," said Mazzoleni, just at the thought.

That could be a problem. Perhaps we should continue looking at the Big Ten through the Showcase glass - for now, anyway. It may be safer in there.

12-03-98