Alright with all this talk of who deserves to move up to gold, who should move down to silver, and what teams will be added to the MACHA I think it is time to start thinking about what teams will be in what division. Obviously there is many decisions to be made, but I would like to see the divisions next season look something like this.... (Not in any specific order)

Gold:
1) MSU
2) SIUE- Gold
3) Mizzou
4) Northern Ill.
5) Iowa
6) RMC-Springfield
7) EIU
8) ISU
9) Palmer

Silver:
1) McKendree
2) Bradley
3) Northwestern
4) SIUE-Silver
5) Western Ill.
6) Marquette
7) MSU JV
8) Wheaton (maybe)

Alright.. there is some reasoning behind all of this.. ISU won silver had a great record (despite their schedule) and have been improving every year. I have been in this league for awhile now and every year they keep improving and I don't see that stopping. I'm not saying they will be a top team in gold, I'm just saying they deserve a chance to compete and as a league you have to support a club that improves year after year. As for Palmer, regular season they were first in silver and in the past they have proved that they can be a major contender in gold. I know they moved down to silver last year because of team problems... but rumor has it they want to move back up to gold, they have figured things out amongst their team, and are ready to compete once again as a serious hockey club. On the flip side of things the only team that was in the gold division that I think should be moved down to silver is Marquette. Obviously they had a very tough year in gold with no wins and I don't see why they would even want to stay in gold.. MSU JV team I think should definately be apart of the silver division next season, they have proved they can compete with any of the silver teams or teams of similar caliber this past season. And hopefully Wheaton will feel that they can compete next season in silver and would be willing to return to MACHA. They may not be the most competitive team around, but they probably are the classiest and thats the type of types you want apart of this league. Well what do you guys think??? Could this possibly be the divisions in MACHA next season???

Oh yea.. any possible probitionary teams for next season?? How about...
Nebraska, Northern Michigan, Saint Norberts, Saint Thomas, Creighton College (in Nebraska), Iowa State JV

I think you are right on target. I talked to Illinois D2 about moving to MACHA and they said they are happy where they are at, so no chance there.

I agree with the first post as well. In speaking with Palmer at the league tournament they return all but two playes for the entire season next year. Usually with them having three graduating classes this doesn't happen. The league should strongly consider moving them back up to gold next year. Maybe even find out from Ron O'brien over at Palmer how many are truly graduating.

I do think Eastern may want to move down. They struggled with Silver teams and they lose their only considerable scoring threat next season in Sechrist or whatever it is. He has maybe first half of next season. I just think they may have a better year moving down. Otherwise, it all looks good.

As for Illinois, I know they are willing to play some closer teams in our league even if they don't move leagues. Not a bad idea.

I dont think Eastern did as bad as you think. They almost snuck in the playoffs, and they beat Mizzou once. They played us pretty tight as well. Its not so much they lack the skill to compete more so than just have trouble being consistent. Give em more than a year...they'll be fine

They lost their primary point producer.

We're losing Walker, Kaiser, Jones, and Theen, a combined total of over 220 pts lost going into next year...this doesn't mean we're goin to suck next year either. We lost Perniciaro and Greffet for this last season, and we weren't supposed to do anything this year. You never know who teams may pick up...

Fair enough. And at this point one would think you guys may have a season not as good as last. Hey, hopefully everyone does great.

Casey, you owe us an interview next year.

Be careful, they ask very controversial questions!

Im game...hopefully after a win haha

It will be pre-game while the score is still 0-0....ha ha.

how about lindenwood d-2 coming back??? Or possibly adding a team like Kansas??? There are a ton of independent teams out there that can make this league better and known country wide

are you kidding kansas make the league better have you ever seen them play. i think we need to get rid of the **** teams and only have 6-8 teams in the whole league. the only teams putting the league on the map are Missouri State, SIU-E, Mizzou. all of the others bring it down.

Not sure I'd go that far....but perhaps your statement would be encouragement for other teams to get better. The question is: Why is the recrutment the way it is to make the other teams "bad"?

The other teams are still "club" teams....but what makes a MACHA team not a club team anymore?? Probably winning championships, league titles, and a record above .500 ya think ?

WSR -- What do you mean by, "not a club team anymore"?

What I mean by that some teams act like they are club teams: they just play their games, watch the zamboni go by and go home. Perhaps 20 people show up, they get bad ice times, are lucky to get 3 scrapes during games. Now, I understand at some rinks it can't be helped, but that's where negociation comes into play by getting the rink to acknowlege the team as part of the community, and give them better opportunities.

Other teams are just on the cusp of doing what Missouri State does/has for example: Great game times, creates an atmosphere there families can come to games, along with the students. Going to a game is like going to an NHL game with entertainment, on ice promotions, cheering, and sell outs.

The idea is to get the community behind a team that wants to improve, move to a higher level and get the stigma of "club" off its back. What's interesting is that some cities have a new Junior A team come to town and they get better press than the college team that's been there forever.

I'm not knocking any "club" team....just the stigma that a "club" hockey team is not worth watching in the minds of many under educated people.

steve you have now confirmed that you have no clue

At least it's confirmed and not a rumor.

At least it's confirmed and not a rumor.

Come on, Steve... not only full of yourself, but full of ****, too...

Nice comeback anonymous....why don't you just shut up since you can't even put your name behind your stupid post? If you don't understand what's going on, don't speak.

Nice job on being anonymous and responding to someone about being anonymous. Retard.

Yeah you don't see me getting on here and saying stuff without my name. Retard is right.

Mr. Anonymous, Esq.

Actually, I agree with WSR. Before I went down to MSU I didnt really have any idea what club hockey was. In my mind I thought it was glorified men's league with guys who showed up to the games drunk, with non-matching practice jerseys. I had never talked to anyone, never been to a game, or anything. All I knew was that it was "club" hockey. After high school, I figured my "career" as a hockey player was over. Now, when I showed up for the mini camps and tryouts, it was a whole different story. I think that was the real purpose by asking what teams can do to not be "just a club team" anymore, to shake the image of beer league hockey and have people understand that it is taken seriously and is more than just a game time commitment.