The italicized portion is from an article on bsmknighterrant.org
After outscoring their opponents 96-6 in conference play this season, BSM will be leaving the North Suburban Conference for boys’ hockey and will play an independent schedule instead, according to an article from the website Minnesota Hockey Hub.
According to Minnesota Hockey Hub’s article, a proposal by the NSC members was approved by coaches Sunday, Feb. 19. BSM athletic director Jerry Pettinger called going independent a “one-year experiment” in the article.
According to Mr. Pettinger, competitive balance was the main reason for the move. The Red Knight’s non-conference schedule included powerhouses Hill-Murray, Maple Grove, and Minnetonka. The move will free up BSM’s schedule for more marquee games.
Stay tuned to bsmknighterrant.org and follow @MuenzKESports on twitter for further details.
Moving out of the North Suburban Conference is the second best thing to happen in Red Knight hockey history.
While not as big as moving from A to AA, the departure from the NSC keeps BSM a big time program for the time being, helping them keep big time talent.
The MSHSL only allows 25 varsity games per year. When 10 of those games are blowouts played at half-speed, the best players only play 15 (theoretically) intense games each regular season.
The USHL plays around 60 games a year. Shattuck-St. Mary’s plays around 75. So if you’re a college coach, wouldn’t you try to convince your recruit to leave school and play a rigorous schedule at SSM or in the USHL?
But with the new schedule, the Red Knights can play against D-1 talent almost every game. Games against teams like Edina, Eden Prairie, Duluth East, Eagan, and St. Thomas are all real possibilities now.
So now if you’re Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves, you would be fine with Grant Besse staying at BSM for his senior season knowing that he will be playing against top talent in four out of five nights.
