WCHA Happenings; Alaska out, Bemidji in

There seems to be a lot of whispering going around regarding the WCHA these days. First of all, there is talk that Alaska Anchorage will be leaving the WCHA because of high transportation costs. I have heard this rumor the past two years and nothing has yet to come to fruition, but with the ever increasing oil prices, I wouldn’t be surprised if Alaska Anchorage isn’t out come 2010.

With Alaska trying to move out of the WCHA, we have Bemidji State University trying to move in. Bemidji will receive $20 million of state funding that they plan to combine with $60 million raised by a city sales tax, to pay for a new 4,000-seat hockey arena and convention center. The arena will soon be a northern Minnesota gem and will definitely help Bemidji State in their quest to join the WCHA. Minnesota is the state of hockey and fans are loyal to the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Gophers and ALL Minnesota hockey. In fact, Bemidji has sold nearly all 25 suites for the arena, raising $2.5 million. Wow. Hockey is alive and well in Minnesota…from Roseau to Bemidji to St Paul to Fairbault.