Latest / College Hockey Mouth / Episode 18: CHS Europe All-Star Announcements

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Episode 18: CHS Europe All-Star Announcements · College Hockey Mouth

• speaker-0: Welcome back, everybody, to College Hockey Mouth. And on this edition of our coverage, we're going to be talking about the upcoming CHS European trip overseas to France. The All Stars are making their treks back into the European regions. And Devin Sarah joined alongside Danny Boehm. We are pleased to welcome onto this edition the commissioner of College Hockey South, Kyle Nell. Kyle, welcome to College Hockey Mouse. So happy to catch up with you. speaker-1: Yeah, thanks guys for having me. speaker-0: So much planning has gone into the last weeks, the last month, heck, the last couple of years. I know you guys were so proud of the success you guys had a year ago with this trip. So inform the people what is going on with the the Europe trip and ⁓ give us some of the news on it. speaker-1: course. So ⁓ yeah, as you said, we went to Europe last year, had a lot of fun, ⁓ learned some things and built on it or you know, wanted to build on it for this upcoming ⁓ trip. And so there's been a lot of behind the scenes work. ⁓ we've had to pivot locations multiple times. ⁓ but finally I'd say at the eleventh hour we were able to land on traveling to France, ⁓ which is super exciting. ⁓ we've got four games ⁓ lined up. Kinda all over France. ⁓ you know, last year when we were in Graz, Austria, you know, it we were kinda in the same place. We were supposed to get a fourth game in Munich. ⁓ unfortunately that didn't pan out. But ⁓ you know, being in the one city it it had its perks, but also you wanna be able to travel and explore, you know, different regions of a country. And so this year We will be flying into Paris, which is pretty exciting in itself to be flying into such a major, major city like that. ⁓ you know, may do some sightseeing and some ⁓ exploring there. And then we our first game is in Rowan, which is about an hour fifteen, hour twenty outside of Paris. ⁓ we'll play the Rowan Dragons. And then what was important this year ⁓ based on feedback, talking to players was making sure that not only obviously playing competitive games. Last year I think we had a game that was nineteen to one. that we that we won. So, you know, we wanted to make sure we're getting some caliber games in and but also mixing in, you know, time off. And we want to be able have fun and explore. And so we'll start and rowing. We will then end up in Strasburg on the complete opposite side of the country. We'll play two games there and then we kind of make our trek back towards the Paris area. We'll be in Amons, which is about two hours north of Paris. So four games against ⁓ four really good teams. So super excited to see what ⁓ this year will entail. speaker-0: So you've got a mixture of teams and and spots here, right? You talked about Rowan, Strasbourg. So tell people what goes into scheduling these games and how you're looking at those strength of opponents. Are these players that are collegiate ⁓ you know, age-wise similar? Are they skill level? Like what goes into that and what level are we gonna see against the College Hockey South European All-Stars? speaker-1: Yeah, it's it's ⁓ I'd say when trying to put this trip together, that was probably the most challenging thing, right? You know, we can say we want to go to this country or this country and try to make it happen. Obviously the important thing before we start, you know, booking flights and booking hotels, et cetera, is lining up the opponents. And so, ⁓ you know, three of the teams are ⁓ you know, similar age of of our you know, of the players that are going. ⁓ you know, they're basically the top this is the top tier ⁓ U twenty ⁓ sorry U twenty elite league. and so I've been trying to follow along what where they are in the standings and they're all kind of in the mix. ⁓ and so it should be it should be really good. The the nice thing is is ⁓ You know, the one game we did end up losing last year was kind of a mix. It was the top team and it was the Graz Academy A team. And they mixed in a few former pro players. In fact, there was a former ECHL player on the team. ⁓ we ended up losing four to three. It was a very good back and forth game. The goalie we played was phenomenal. And so I'm hoping that, you know, these teams the games will be closer and be good competition. One of the teams we are playing at Strasbourg, the hockey Strasbourg, they have two teams. One's the U their U twenty team, one is their what they call D three. So basically U twenty five team. So we'll get to see both teams, not back to back. We'll play one on the fifth, one in the seventh. But it'll be super exciting just to see, you know, again, what what's that different level from an age gap moving up in in the years? Obviously, we do have a few players who ⁓ have been around for a little bit, a little bit older. ⁓ But ⁓ it it should be really good. ⁓ but yeah, finding teams. ⁓ it it was a little bit of a challenge, but you know, hockey community is small and once you start reaching out to you put feelers out there for the different programs and ⁓ what's nice is you know, I've been talking to the presidents of these program, you know, these organizations and you know, coaches and they know other coaches and just being able to kind of spell out, hey, this is what we did last year. This is kind of what we want to build on. This is how many games we're looking for. This is the caliber that we're bringing. Do you know anybody? And so it kind of spread like that. We actually had two more teams who also wanted to play, but part of getting feedback from last year from the players was, Okay, what's that fine balance of how many games versus how many games off? And you know, on your days off, what do you want to do? Is it more sightseeing? Is it more ⁓ we went skiing last year? We do have that on the books again this year. Maybe ⁓ Tommy Marvin won't be the worst skier. He's not coming on the trip this year, but he was the worst skier last year. We gave him a hard time for that. But ⁓ yeah, it it'll be good. ⁓ you know, finding that happy balance. We had four four four games lined up. A couple of the teams that wanted to play too, and it was just really trying to find that mix of all right, what's too many versus how much travel ⁓ Paris or you know Rowan t to Strasbourg is five hours and the Straussburg to Amons is five hours. So it's we're gonna spend ⁓ a little bit of time on the buses, but again, that's ⁓ you're in another country, you get to see the different country, you know, get to see the countryside, you get to see different cities and ⁓ I think that's what I'm excited about the most. speaker-2: Yeah. ⁓ we'll and we'll get to the roster breakdown here in a little bit, but I've I've been able to see the other side of it a touch. ⁓ what were some of the other locations you were looking into for this potential ⁓ Europe trip? ⁓ I understand there were a few other countries. speaker-1: Yeah. So we we actually started, ⁓ you know, the the first goal and you know, never know, maybe it's next year that we end up going there or the year after, was doing a Scandinavian tour. So so ⁓ s ⁓ Sweden, Finland potentially. And ⁓ unfortunately the other piece that we kind of run into, and don't get me wrong, our players are technically on a break as well. These teams are still playing during this time and when this level it's a little bit different than obviously playing at college, right? Or playing at the university. So we're just playing on the weekends. These teams are playing all throughout the week like a junior team, right? And so when they have a break, all their all their players go home. And so when we were trying to target Sweden, the dates just didn't align. Unfortunately it was one of these where if we wanted to make it work, we had to travel December twenty sixth through January fifth. And Trying to shift the dates that much, just ⁓ you know, I'm already fighting at leaving, having the players come back and leave on New Year's Day. ⁓ as opposed to, hey, we're gonna leave the day after Christmas, and then we're gonna also spend New Year's abroad. So ⁓ kind of made that executive decision that that just wasn't gonna work. ⁓ and then the other one was obviously Switzerland actually was moving forward. We were actually gonna do a Switzerland Italy tour and then unfortunately games kind of got shuffled around in the in the league that we were gonna play a lot of the teams in. And so we last second had to pivot to France. But ⁓ you know, the teams we've been talking to, the the individuals we've made connections with and everything have been super hospitable. It's been really nice to work with them so far and super excited to see what what we can do here in couple weeks. speaker-0: You know, Danny referred to it a moment ago. This roster you guys have is the best of the best. And I know sometimes it's based on availability and who can actually go and wants to. I think you got the best of some of these players. You know, you look at the ranks of the ⁓ two Tampa. You have a diverse squad with ⁓ two and ⁓ three. So give us your consensus about the overall picture of the roster and the structures and what you guys were intending when you built this roster. speaker-1: Yeah, of course. ⁓ you know, obviously one of the biggest things is trying to ⁓ you know, there's a cost to it, right? ⁓ as much as we want to be able to cover the cost of every player going, ⁓ you know, there's still some cost for the players to be able to to make a trip like this. And obviously it's the time commitment too. ⁓ you know, the the nice thing, at least picking this time frame, we're not fighting with players having to fully come back for school. There are a few universities that come that, you know, later half in the time that we're gone that technically their classes start. So that's also a consideration. But, you know, our our goal originally was to take two teams. ⁓ you know, just being able to go on this trip last year and just again getting the feedback. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for a lot of these players. And, you know, we want to be able to offer this experience to all of our players, right? ⁓ but we recognize we can't take forty five teams worth of players, ⁓ and have every school come over. But we ended up based on availability landing with one team. ⁓ you know, when when we kind of invited out players to say, Hey, you know, we want to be able to invite you on this trip. ⁓ you know, we the first position that kind of filled really fast was our goaltenders. and when we had to down to one team, it you know, it's not a fun conversation to to speaker-2: Summit. speaker-1: Say hey, unfortunately, we are gonna go with one team and so we couldn't take six goalies. But ⁓ you know, maybe next year again. our our plan this year with we've plenty of interns coming, staff members coming, multiple photographers, videographers. We are going to stream all of these games. And so I'm hoping that just with the visibility and the amount of extra coverage that we will be doing for this trip. that even more players want to get involved and I will say, ⁓ I know that ⁓ our women's teams and women's players are itching to be able to do a trip like this. So you never know. Maybe maybe next year it's a men's and women's team, depending on location, if we can find a but super excited again, just trying to document as much of it just to build the excitement. And we've got five returning players, which is exciting. And I'm sure that they ⁓ will get more this trip too. To make it, who knows, maybe they make a third, ⁓ you know, if they're selected for the next trip. speaker-2: Is there anything you want to ⁓ announce about those returning players at this point or are are they gonna figure that out? speaker-1: Yeah, I can I can announce it. I I kinda shared it. ⁓ I shared with one player. ⁓ in fact, ⁓ I I kinda I forget always what I reached out to him for, but ⁓ you know, I I wanted to be a surprise and I guess this will hopefully they're listening listening, hopefully they're watching here trying to learn a little bit more about the trip. ⁓ 'cause this will be the surprise for them. ⁓ but you know, this year we are gonna have captains. And we didn't do that last year and Part of what we you know, when you play an international game, you're you're exchanging a gift at ⁓ before the game and you know, we wanted we didn't have a main captain per se. Obviously all of the all these players are leaders on and off the ice. And so to say, hey, this person's a captain versus this person going to second year and having returners, it made it a little bit easier to say, Hey, we're gonna put the C on your jersey. And so for our I'll start with our assistant captains. You know, I thought it would be fitting. To have Cole Velise from the University of Tampa M2 as an assistant captain. He is a returner. Trace Cowert from University of Tampa ⁓ three as an assistant. And, you know, normally you have one captain, two assistants. We decided we're, you know, we'll we'll take it a little bit further and we're all we're also going to give an A to Rocco Bruno as well as Kyle Meyer. So a little different having two goalies, but again, them returning, getting an A, again, them having gone on this trip before, ⁓ you know, help help guys out, make sure they're staying on task and arriving when we're you know we're getting on the bus, et cetera. But our captain this year will be none other than ⁓ Will Marshall from Florida Southern. speaker-2: Producer Gavin be yeah, beaming with excitement over there. Our Florida Southern man. Yeah. That I think that's a a really cool thing to ⁓ recognize these players that went on the the trip last year. And yeah, what a what a cool thing for Will Marshall to ⁓ be the captain of this squad of a bunch of really talented players. speaker-1: Yeah, I I called him I again I can't remember what I was asking him ⁓ about the trip. It may have just been, hey, we're you know, trying to coordinate, right? There's a lot of coordinating of when when people are arriving ⁓ you know, to the airport, 'cause obviously we have all their their gear. But ⁓ I said, Hey, ⁓ I I thought about surprising them at the airport. ⁓ you know, I'm pull the jersey out and kinda get a reaction. But I told him on the phone and ⁓ you know, he was he was super appreciative and excited. So yeah, he he obviously puts the work in for for Florida Southern and you know, he he was a a very integral piece, not just in last year's trip, but also we did the all-star challenge two years ago in Fort Lauderdale where we played the other conferences and his line with ⁓ Jake Penetrante and Michael Wall ⁓ kind of put them you know, I I say kind of put Florida Southern ⁓ In a lot people's minds, obviously both of them were were stellar players together with Michael Wall and and ⁓ Will Marshall, but ⁓ you know, he's just been a a constant force to be reckoned with all ⁓ throughout the season and was a big piece for the for the team last year. So ⁓ thought it was fitting. speaker-0: I'm just proud of the fact that the podcast bump came to fruition and that we got a captain and a former guest on the pod. So thank you for that. Congrats to everybody on the announcements. Hey, we know that people are so excited to watch this. So go into the details of what the broadcast is gonna look like, when we can find the games, where they can find the games. Imagine some of the opponents, but can people find this at a reasonable time considering you're on the the European coast there? speaker-1: Yeah, yeah. I that was one of the ⁓ I don't say s struggle. ⁓ I don't say struggle, maybe a little bit disappointing pieces last year was we were told they the games would be streamed. Obviously we have a ton of parents that ⁓ didn't make the trip last year and wanted to be able to watch the games, right? Hey, ⁓ my son's halfway across the world playing hockey. ⁓ yeah, I wanna be able to watch. And unfortunately last year, you were playing at ten, eleven in the morning. there so it's three and four in the morning back home and and I think one was at eight a.m it's like two a.m in the morning and so one it didn't pan out to be able to stream but you know just not the best times to watch. The nice thing about all of these games is that they're they're reasonable times. You know our first game's at five forty local time. So the quick math there that's eleven forty AM So our first game on the third is eleven forty a.m. Game's gonna be streamed on the College Hockey South YouTube. ⁓ our very own Danny here is is making the track over with us. ⁓ he's gonna be helping ⁓ stream the games with ⁓ Charlie Serafian and Luis DePolo as well, calling the games. So game one on the third at five forty or eleven forty a.m. ⁓ game two on the fifth. Is going to be at 1 p.m. ⁓ Eastern time. Sorry. 7 p.m. local time there. On the 7th, same thing. 7 p.m. local, 1 p.m. Eastern time. And then our final game on the 8th is going to be at 1:35 p.m. Eastern time. So ⁓ prime time game times in in France. But it also means that Folks at home can watch as well. speaker-0: Proud of the fact that Danny here is gonna get to call another one where you know Charlie's been our buddy at college hockey playoffs, ⁓ college hockey south playoffs. Like we've been the dream team. And so I'm so jealous that I get to not be a part of that, but I'm just more proud of the fact that you get to consider those guys some of the best of the best that you guys have in your arsenal. I know Louis DePaulo too, does a great job up or at ⁓ Embry Riddle. So so excited to hear ⁓ a lot of that news. You know. Last thing I guess we'll ask you about this Europe trip, you know, what are, you know, some of the the goals you guys set out, obviously to win these games, but you know, is there more to that? You want these players to get out of it? And ultimately, if you walk away from this trip, what is the one thing that makes this a success? speaker-1: Yeah, I mean obviously you wanna be able to grow and build on on every event. And, you know, like it like I've mentioned before, you know, the feedback from the players last year was was very positive. Obviously, you know, we didn't get the fourth game, ⁓ that didn't pan out. But all in all, they had a blast. Again, you're getting to experience a different culture. ⁓ obviously fingers crossed there's no hiccups or any issues, but obviously that comes with trying to you know you you don't have boots on the ground, right? You're not Planning it with like you've been there before. So there's some unknown to this, which can be a little uneasy, but I think from a success standpoint, obviously you want to walk in and out of each game with the win. You want to go 4-0, you want to bring college hockey south to ⁓ you know, six and one in an international play. That would be pretty ⁓ pretty exciting. But no, I again it's well, the hockey is the the biggest piece of it, right? Like that's what we're there for. For me, it's it's about creating an experience that ⁓ lasts a lifetime. And I know it sounds corny and cheesy, but ⁓ you know, we we do this for the players, for them to be able to experience something that maybe they'll never ever be able to experience. ⁓ you know, one of the players last year was like, hey, look, I I'm thinking about going to play in Europe. And this would be a great kind of stepping stone to see if it's something that's even possible for him to do. And so ultimately, yeah, you want to win the games, but you know, that's just a plus. Again, we we want to be able to provide an experience that they can look back on in ten years, fifteen, twenty years and say, Hey, that was that was a time of my life. And you know, a lot of these players, let alone being able to study abroad or even leaving the country outside of maybe going to Canada or go to Mexico for vacation, ⁓ to say, hey, I I was able to play games in Europe while I was in college. you know, that that's the experience. And and again, being able to, you know, that bonding with players that you don't ever get to play with. You always play against them. It's always pretty cool to hear that, hey, these players hated each other before coming and then all of a sudden they're on a line together, sharing a room together, on a bus for hours together, on a flight. next to each other for hours that you know they become super close and next thing you know you're just hearing that they're staying in touch afterwards. So the experience, the relationships that are created, that that to me is what's the positive piece of this. ⁓ besides just winning games. speaker-0: So Kyle, we we've talked about the European expectations and the all stars. Well, what you and this conference have done the last couple of years is not just create all stars in your own ranks, but throughout the nation and throughout the ACHA. We've seen the success paramount in the transition to ACHA. You've got six ⁓ three teams within the top twenty five. All three ⁓ two teams are in the top twenty of the region and competing for a spot, and now a women's team. Ranked us in the top ten, the southeast region of women's division two. So talk to us about the growing success you've seen out of the conference, some of the things that you're most proud of, and the efforts that everybody's put together to put the nation on display of Kalachaki South. speaker-1: Yeah, it's it's a little surreal. Obviously, you know, when we moved from a different league ⁓ where we had success rights sweeping the men's division back to back years. A little short falling a little short on the women's side of both of those years, but I was a little nervous and I think I mentioned this to Danny and others at the beginning of the season that you know when that first rankings came out or was about to come out, I was nervous. I you know, what what the talent and kind of the results that ⁓ the teams in this conference or putting up, does that actually mean anything in the eyes of the ACHA? And we've been fortunate to to have early success. ⁓ you know, we're halfway through the season and yeah, I I couldn't be prouder of the teams and and how well they're doing this year. Obviously we're beating up on each other too. And so that that can kind of hurt as well. But to ⁓ you know see a team like MTSU two years ago not even make it because of Other things, semantics, right? And they're on the outside looking in to then last year losing to a CHS team and getting knocked out. So then ⁓ you know, now they're they look incredible. and and ⁓ know that of the three teams that we have at least in M2, that ⁓ you know, they're in that top sixteen, they're you know, just battling out the rest the season, hoping to punch their ticket to regionals. Obviously, they know when they get to regionals. It's jobs not done. They gotta win two games at regionals in order to make it to nationals. ⁓ and so it's it is ⁓ it's nice. It's ⁓ I think for the longest time, and this goes back to kinda when I was playing that you know, people saw hockey in the South and was like, Yeah, it's like we're not playing them. They they don't deserve the recognition or you know, it's it's not good hockey. ⁓ and it has come a super long way and just to see the success that these programs have had and now teams are like, Hey, yeah, we we wanna come play you. ⁓ you know, being able to see different teams as opposed to the same teams over and over and over again, I think is a plus. And ⁓ you know, I couldn't be prouder of, know, obviously you know, one, first off, you all putting this together. ⁓ you pitched the idea and it's just like, Hey, take it, run with it. It's it's been awesome to see and ⁓ but just the amount of work that people put in. ⁓ you know, behind the scenes too. We've got a massive team. ⁓ and none of this would be possible without you all. And obviously, the more visibility we put on the programs, the more people, the more players, students, ⁓ prospective students, ⁓ decide that, hey, I want to go to one of these teams. I like hockey in the south. It's warmer. I don't have to trek through snow and you know, playing a northeastern team or team out west, I can enjoy the heat and the sun for for majority of the year. I'm sitting here and it's ⁓ nineteen degrees outside right now where I am. So and I still consider myself in the South. But ⁓ yeah, it's it's it's been surreal and I'm just proud of the effort that everyone's put in. And yeah, to your point, the past four years that you know that I've been in this role, it's kind of crazy to think where we came from and where we are now. So it's it's only a start. See where we go from here. speaker-2: One thing ⁓ I I noticed looking through the roster and ⁓ doing my research there is you know, you have an expectation that the these players that are on the southern schools are the snowbirds and they they come up from the northeast down to these rosters. But there's there's a fair share of kids that are from Florida and Georgia. ⁓ and I thought that was something that was really cool to see that not only is it the southern schools where hockey is growing, but in the south in general. You know, there's a lot of kids from from Florida on this roster. There's kids well, the Kennesaw State kids are all from the Georgia area, which I'm proud of. But I thought that was something that's really cool to see. You know, I think looking at ⁓ what the Florida teams and the NHL have done, probably have a a great deal to do with that. But I mean what what we're doing it with CHS and the eyeballs we've been getting this year. And over the past few years. It's it's very, very exciting. And I think this this Europe trip has the opportunity to, you know, explode that even more. speaker-1: Yeah, no, I couldn't agree more. Obviously the success of the Lightning, the ⁓ you know, obviously the Panthers as well has been super awesome to see. And just, you know, even even when Tampa won and Florida won, Miami won, FAU won, like even getting the recognition from D NHL teams, I mean, congratulating those teams, I think that's a huge testament to what you know, what the teams have been doing and and obviously ⁓ Yeah, we've been doing two just to kind of help shed the light and promote these teams. At the end of the day, that's that's all I care about is one, the growth of hockey, in particular the hockey hockey in the South, but also, you know, what can we do as a as a team, right? You all, Danny, you know, from a communication standpoint, what can we do to put more emphasis and light on these programs? Because, you know What we do day in and day out helps, you know, put the light on the teams. That means that more, you know, potential students are wanting to go to those programs. And and part of why we ⁓ you know, frankly, started the prospect showcase last last July. ⁓ you know, it it is to get these players in front of coaches, learn more about what we do as a conference, learn more about obviously the teams and and what they do and have to offer. And yeah, I think You know, there's lot of conferences right in in ⁓ the ACHA. And you know, we I want to be able to offer something that people look forward to, whether that is the Europe trip, an all-star challenge, the different tournaments that we offer too. ⁓ you know, I think it all starts now at these prospect showcases because that I'm hoping in future years just continues to be a funnel for for the players, not just the men, but also the women. And again, bottom line. Growing the game. speaker-0: You know, one way to grow the game and perhaps a daring idea is to put all of your talent and showcase under one roof. You're gonna try something with this group that hasn't been done, I don't think, in a long time. We're gonna put all of the divisions in the Panthers Ice then, February twenty-sixth, March first, what an event everyone's looking forward to. But tell people at home, you know, what's at stake for those teams. ⁓ I've heard twelve teams for ⁓ three, we're gonna have all of the ⁓ two, we're gonna have the women's division on showcase. What's at stake for those teams and how does all of this madness come together to make what is gonna be a great college hockey south playoff? speaker-1: Yeah. ⁓ this the playoff weekend is going to be sheer madness. I'm gonna just say it's a many nationals. ⁓ you know, when we've done playoffs in the past and other conferences do playoffs and everything, right? You know, you're limited to the amount of ice time, right? How much available ice, how many sheets of ice and in the South We we of course are very limited. You know, we can't go up to Boston and there'd be an eight plex ⁓ or St. Louis or you know other other large venues that have four or five, six sheets. ⁓ you know, we have three, right? Obviously Wesley Chapel has has multiple, Advent Health has multiple, Iced Den has multiple, and so what I wanted to do, you know, we've been fortunate having the partnerships with other venues in the past. ⁓ you know, going to Athens last year, being in Huntsville, going to Clarksville, Lakeland. We've had ⁓ you know, the D three playoffs there before a couple years. But you know, last year we had a I kinda tested out what would what would D two and D three look like? You know, that ⁓ or we did it last year. We had men we had men's ⁓ one and or D one and women's together in in Athens and then we had D two and D three down in in ⁓ at the Ice Den and Just having all of those games, there were more D two and D three, under one roof, it really created this atmosphere that you it's very hard to recreate with just a small number of teams. And so I I asked AJ and Ashley, said, Hey, look, ⁓ this is gonna be wild. We wanna come back, we love it. Could we do ⁓ all? Obviously we had some changes in the off season, so number of games we didn't need as many, but over the span of February twenty ⁓ is it sixth? I'm I'm gonna Yes. Yeah, February twel February twenty sixth, sorry. Lots of dates. The span of February twenty sixth to March one. There are forty one games that are gonna occur that weekend. So to your point, we're gonna have all of ⁓ two, twelve teams for ⁓ three. We're gonna have six of our ⁓ ACDC teams and then eight women's teams. So buckle up. There's at least for you all right, broadcasting wise, it is gonna be nonstop from start to finish, all three sheets. I think there's a total of I'm just gonna say five hours that entire weekend that we don't have a game going on. ⁓ so there are games that are gonna start as early as eight a.m. And go till midnight. So don't worry. We'll have breaks. You're not gonna be calling games ⁓ back to back to back to back unless you absolutely want to. ⁓ but it it genuinely will be ⁓ I'd like to say many nationals. There you can walk from one sheet. We've got game staggered, so you know, fans that are in attendance, players that are in attendance, ⁓ you know, they can In between games, they just finished theirs, they won, they want to go check out who they could potentially be playing next, they can go to the next sheet, or hey, they can check out a women's game or a different game that's going on and ⁓ again really create an atmosphere that i is gonna be very hard to replicate. ⁓ so I'm super excited. All hands on deck though. speaker-2: Yeah. ⁓ that so we've had to think of it from the logistical standpoint, which is obviously a little stressful and we're responsible for handling everything ⁓ to make sure it flows smoothly. But if you just think about it from like the outside looking in, like like ding to dong, there's hockey on just about any sheet of ice in that building. So Friday and Saturday, those days in particular, it's like the first two days of March Madness where you but instead of changing the channel, you can just go to a different rink. And it's just like nonstop. One game ends, okay, get off the ice. Let's go. Let let's get the other going. So for the people that wanna watch and wanna soak up that atmosphere, there is there is no shortage of it. It's it's gonna be pretty nonstop. speaker-1: No, yeah, absolutely. And and honestly, like, you know, then you start thinking, okay, what are the over the last few years, right, that we've gone to to nationals, what are things that we can implement or bring in that kind of bring that next level for, you know, not just the fans, but also the players. So is it a hospitality room? Is it, you know, getting the Florida Women's Hockey League involved and getting some, you know, youth programs involved because again, to to the point here is that this is the best hockey in the South. And so obviously there's some new juniors you know, there's a new juniors team out of out of Coral Springs area. And so inviting them out and saying, Hey, look, you know, this is good hockey and this is your perfect opportunity to find out what's next and to talk to players, talk to coaches and get more involved. So ⁓ Again, any way we can highlight and showcase the, you know, the best product on the ice, that's what we're we're hoping to do and have it all in one place. So it continues to build the excitement. speaker-2: We had ⁓ Nathan Walker on last week from Florida Gulf Coast and in the process of joining CHS he said they bounced it around in their group chat and it was a unanimous yes. But the leading factor and wanting to join the conference was s an event like this. So they could go to a playoff and be a part of a tournament that created that kind of an atmosphere and is close to them. It's super local and ⁓ attainable for them. It's not a crazy travel day or anything like that. ⁓ and adding them is has added another level of excitement too. So ⁓ yeah, it it continues to grow. Super, super excited, even though it it it will be a little bit of a logistical headache. ⁓ but hey, it is what it is. Gotta make it happen. speaker-1: Yeah, I you know, when we as a conference when the teams decided to make the move back to the ACHA this offseason, ⁓ you know, obviously the first thing that's in your mind is you've got this other program that's been, you know, in our neck of the woods the entire time and it's had a very great established program in Florida Gulf Coast. And ⁓ you know, for this season it didn't make sense for the ⁓ two, you know, for in their eyes it makes sense for the ⁓ two team to join. ⁓ obviously we we welcome them with open arms when they you know if they decide to to make that change ⁓ and and come in. But obviously the ⁓ three team did decide to join and ⁓ yeah, I I'm excited to see you know, obviously they they've played USF, they've played Alabama. ⁓ you know, I'm excited to see add them into the mix and to your point, ⁓ as of standings right now, ⁓ you know, they're they're in the mix. They're at the moment in the hunt for a spot in playoffs. So I think it'll be exciting and who knows, maybe next year ⁓ we ⁓ give ⁓ a bid or give ⁓ an invite to battle at the beach. It's another Florida team. Ooh speaker-0: We've already dropped a bunch of news. We know more things are coming. That's the great part, is that the expansion continues, and I'll leave that to another date for you to really go into detail with. So we talk on this podcast about the growth of the game, and we love highlighting the special parts of that. We also know that we take the game serious. It's not just club hockey down here, it's a serious competitive level, and a lot's at stake. We know the woman's side and the M3. Allegedly these games are gonna count towards some of those rankings. So give us what is at stake for maybe the ⁓ three side. A college hockey south championship in its own would mean the world to any of those programs among the four divisions. But what's really at stake here, especially on the ⁓ three side? speaker-1: Yeah. ⁓ obviously the you know with the transition to the ACHA, you know, we had teams that were D two within AAU ⁓ moved to ⁓ three. ⁓ and so we have ⁓ eighteen ⁓ three teams. And so one of the concerns was hey, if we kept it at eight games, you've got you're now leaving some very high caliber teams on the outside looking in. And the nice thing about when the f when the games like the final cutoff for games to count. ⁓ you know, typically, or at least what we've been used to in the past is our playoffs have always fell past that window. So, ⁓ you know, when when we were in AAU, the it was middle of February. And so the games never, you know, as much as it's the internal pride, hey, we're the conference champions, those games didn't really have any implication on nationals. And so the nice thing about it this year for M3. M2, the cutoff, obviously they're going to regionals. They gotta get through regionals. And this is either going to be a final, you know, send-off for the seniors, or it's going to be, hey, a nice tune-up for any team that made it out of regionals to go to nationals. But for M3, this is we got 12 teams competing for potentially an auto bid. ⁓ the Final cutoff is March one. So obviously we've got to be able to get the games all submitted quickly on time, you know, for for the ACHA to consider from a final ranking standpoint. But given the number of teams that we already have in, you know, to your point in the top twenty, top twenty five, ⁓ you know, there there's potentially an auto bid on the line. So hey, imagine being on the outside looking in, going on a Cinderella run and winning. punching your ticket that way. I I think it just adds a level of excitement that, you know, it's not just it's not just playoffs, which obviously there's there's pride there, but hey, there's a little extra something on at the end of this too. speaker-0: Glad that you led with that fact that the drama is at stake because Nationals is an event. It's a spectacle out at Sentien Community Ice Center, the practice facility of the St. Louis Blues. So for all of the programs that listen to this in the M3, also women's two should mention that it does count in that final period for them as well. It's going to mean a lot for them. And there's going to be a lot of pride to go on. I think it just adds to the level of lore that goes on with the conference. speaker-1: I will share I I will share real quick though, like for the teams that are listening, outside of in formerly M1, ⁓ now M2, or D1 now M2, for M3, that trophy has not been won by the top team yet. Now, if you think about it, the top seed last year, FAU. Upset, right? So not ⁓ you know, scare MTSU at all, obviously with being in the top seat right now, but it's Playoffs, you know, we can sit here and have a conversation of who we think, you know, it based on their record or or from a a ranking standpoint all. It's a one versus eight. Like, no, these games are gonna be, you know, we have an over under. It's there's not gonna be any blowout here. They are going to be very, very competitive games. And you gotta think, we have forty one games that weekend. Like I said, a many nationals. ⁓ and so I'm I'm super excited. speaker-2: Yeah, going into the season, ⁓ we called the division three kind of like our chaos division, basically just because of the sheer number of teams. But it feels like the disparity in level of play from the top teams to where the supposed like bubble teams, well, they are bubble teams, but the ones that are ranked eleventh and twelfth, it doesn't feel like it's that much. We're we were talking about it, I believe it was off air. with Nathan Walker, like might see some of these top teams lose early. Like like the I I don't think there's a safe matchup for anybody. Another layer of drama to add for the playoffs, which really don't need any because of the atmosphere that's gonna be there. speaker-1: Nope. Yeah, we we've had Tony and we've had a few blowouts, but then you know, I I think of a USF program, right? You know, you you you've got Deets who's just phenomenal in in scoring left and right to you know, that team ⁓ you know, win one game and then next you're taking a team to O T or you end up splitting a series. And so I truly think to your point, it's going to be one of these where it it Whatever team decides to show up and play, ⁓ and is not looking too far ahead. The nice thing is that how we're doing M3 with twelve teams, there are gonna be a cut a few teams that get a bye ⁓ and play on play Friday. So the four different play in games on Thursday, anybody could win. speaker-0: Now, Kyle, we've had a great conversation here. Loved hearing about the European process and getting that going. Playoffs, we can go on, like you said, another hour. Last note for you personally. You've been in this row for a couple of years now, former player. You mentioned how much pride you've taken in seeing the game grow. Now, as we wrap up this year, just what do you reflect on as some of your favorite parts of in this job you've had and what does it mean to you to continue to help a league like this? grow into one of the premier conferences within the ACHA. speaker-1: Yeah, obviously f the four years or three and a half, not fully done with the fourth year. I think there truthfully I think at the moment there's two pieces. It's hard to narrow it down, right? ⁓ you know, I think the big, big moments that I, you know, if I were to stop doing this today and were to look back and say, Hey, these this is what I'm proud, you know, most proud about. one would be the women's division. ⁓ Just kicking that off. You know, I I've got a a son and a daughter. My daughter's nine and ⁓ you know, she's she's made a lot of connections with the players and and is interested in playing hockey and ⁓ and to say, hey, you know, there is a future for you if you want to keep playing post U nineteen, ⁓ if she decides to go that route. ⁓ outside of, you know, 'cause from a hockey landscape, right, they're The game has grown so much that for all the kids out there that think it's NHL or bust or it's the NAHL or the USPHL or you're playing division one and if you don't make those it's you're not successful. ⁓ that's not the case. There is very competitive hockey. There are kids at the schools today that are played division three and decided, hey, I you know, I I'd rather go and play here instead. And so having kind been part of creating that. I think that that is one of the top ones. Obviously Europe is a big, big piece and ⁓ this this trip in particular, hoping that that goes very smooth. And then just again the growth. You know, I think when I stepped in, ⁓ actually look tried to look at this the other day. I think there were like thirteen teams or fourteen or fifteen teams when I stepped in and in the conference and ⁓ Yeah, when we last year we're up to fifty, obviously we had some some teams leave this past off season. ⁓ and obviously we we wish them nothing but the best and obviously created even more teams, but ⁓ or had even more teams join and and be created. ⁓ you know, we're at forty five teams this year. So I think the the growth is really what I'm most proud of. ⁓ you know, it was one division. It was it was chaos. There wasn't room for growth. And now, you know, last year we had D one, D two, D three women's. Now it's ⁓ two, ⁓ three, A C D C women's. ⁓ it's it's all about just creating an opportunity for the for the students, for the players. ⁓ you know, whether again that's with Europe, whether it's an all-star challenge, whether that's just the different tournaments that have been created. I think those are the things I'm I'm most proud about because before it was just you're in a conference. ⁓ you get a playoffs, that's it. ⁓ now there's a Veterans Cup, there is Battle of the Beach, there's Columbus Classic, there's the All Star Challenge, there's the Prospect Showcase, there's Europe. So it's it's the list goes on and on, and again, just creating those opportunities. And hopefully one day, if you know, if I'm not doing this anymore, that someone is just as passionate to continue to create these opportunities for the players, for you all as students, right? Or post grad. to continue to just be a part of hockey and doing something. ⁓ you know, to to give back per se or to continue to gain the valuable experience. That's that's what I hope to believe and proud of. speaker-0: Well said. Thank you so much, Kamish. Great sit-down. We hope you have more in the future. Good luck with the European trip. Rest up before you guys get ready to hop on those buses. And Danny, get ready, man. Get Kelly on the pod. Do what you gotta do. Have fun with the social media team. Have fun the rest of the way. And ⁓ thanks again, Kyle. Yeah. speaker-1: Course. Thanks guys for having me.