College and Universities I think should turn into top-tier hockey programs.

After writing about Ohio State University thinking they should, I have more ideas. But I am one to watch and follow the CHL, but what made them decide to change the rule was based on players such as Adam Fantilli, Macklin Celebrini, Owen Power, Kent Johnson, all decide to go the NCAA route when they had good routes planned in the CHL which would've likely had a lot more spotlight on them going into the draft. Ten years before players would always go the WHL route over NCAA given they were focusing more on hockey rather than studying. I mean if I was a player I would've done the WHL route as it felt more like you were playing professionally rather than breaks in between while improving every season. The NCAA is more for players who want to play against mature players rather than players that are once bigger and suddenly much smaller. 

One thing I question is if the CIS gets involved given Canada is more into hockey than the US if they decide to join into NCAA programs. Because CIS welcomed players who were in the WHL who couldn't quite get professional contracts, and the University of New Brunswick has probably the best CIS program. So much so, that they don't even have a QMJHL team. You'd think Fredricton would have a QMJHL team given they're a large and sustainable market for that kind of thing, but it also raises eyebrows given the players who'd normally report there could be playing in the NCAA. In fact, UNB has more players end up playing in the NHL than most CIS teams such as Joel Ward. But in relation, Simon Fraser was the first and only Canadian university to join the NCAA. 

The Penticton Vees were a marquee BCHL team who were strictly for developing players into the NCAA or WHL if they decided to change their mind, because if you chose the NCAA you could go, but if you changed your mind you were allowed to play in the WHL but you couldn't go back under any circumstances. Now, that rule has changed. That meant that they might as well join the WHL which makes a lot more sense given they can have them compete at that highest level while also developing them towards the NCAA and NHL. Also a nice rivalry for the Kelowna Rockets for the battle of the Okanagan. 

But now, we're going to talk about teams who I think should be in top-tier hockey programs. We're not including Ohio State because they're more than number one to me. But this can either be B1G or Tier-1. 

HM: Texas A&M - This one can wait, but it's one of the best sports schools in the world.

5 - University of Southern California (USC) - Another popular sports school in the NCAA world, but what they're missing is a top-tier hockey program which would be great for their school which has them be competitive with other universities that sells the sport more. 

4 - Clemsen University - This is where one of the best sports programs are, and hockey in South Carolina is mostly minor league. I think if Clemsen had hockey they'd advertise the sport properly and attract many new hockey fans. Also, I wouldn't think it'd be as risky because we see lots of ECHL teams relocate on a consistent basis, but Clemsen having a top-tier program makes it a respectable school whereas knowing it's there to stay will have fans believing while also some who could already be fans after knowing their success in other sports, meaning they'd want to see their team be competitive in not just three, but four.

3 - University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) - The reason this would be a great place to add NCAA Hockey is because the popularity of the Golden Knights have introduced fans to hockey. Except their alternative for hockey is the Henderson Silver Knights. If UNLV gets a top-tier program is also gives them the chance to see their prospects and if the Silver Knights relocated to Reno it would keep the love of the Golden Knights all over Nevada so they stand by the Golden Knights through and through.

2 - University of Texas at Austin - They're known for Football, Baseball, and Basketball, but I think adding hockey would make them a school that'd be more respected in terms of the sports category. The reason I understand it is because hockey isn't as big in Texas as the other four sports, but I think this would grow the game a lot more by giving University of Texas at Austin a top-tier hockey program; on the side maybe introduce a lot more. I also like the idea of this being a way to introduce hockey to Austin, Texas, that is before they could consider an NHL team. 

1 - University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) - This without question would be big for the NCAA sports world along with hockey, doing this means the school will be one of the most respected in not just sports but in the world. If they decide to bring a top-tier hockey program they will be one of the most looked at schools. Also, if USC were to join as well they'd have a great rivalry which expands the footprint of hockey. 

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