Speculation and brainstorming often make way for investigations and in-depth conversations.
There's nothing like an inquiring text first thing in the morning to get the puck moving. That's what took place Tuesday before the family night out at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios.
What started out as a question regarding a rumor that the United States Hockey League was possibly expanding into two current North American Hockey League markets was narrowed down to two former USHL cities, Rochester, Minnesota and Mason City, Iowa.
What is not certain is this, are these expansions or relocations?
A betting man would assume this is going to be the relocations of the Youngstown Phantoms and Muskegon Lumberjacks' memberships. The problem is that there is much more to it.
While the Phantoms and Lumberjacks are trying to work around USA Hockey's decision to block their move to the Ontario Hockey League, there are a number of incentives being offered to USA Hockey in order to keep the issue out of Federal Court.
There's a really strong possibility that the United States National Development Program will be able to get a number of games within the OHL. Will that be enough for USA Hockey to reverse the denial? I think so.
The relocation of those two USHL memberships would also tighten the footprint of the league. It's a much easier drive to Mason City and Rochester than Michigan and Ohio.
It's no secret that the Lincoln Stars ownership also controls Mason City, and their two teams in the building. That would be the North Iowa Bulls (NAHL) and Mason City Toros (NA3HL). There was a rumor, earlier in the season, that the Stars would move to Mason City in the event a new lease was not worked out in Lincoln. Apparently, that has been done.
It's the same story for Rochester, where the NA3HL Grizzlies are playing. That NA3HL team is owned and operated by the NAHL's Austin Bruins.
I did reach out to the USHL for comment... and I got another "no comment," for the effort. Trying to get any kind of replies from the NAHL is the equivalent of trying to get lucky from buying a single Powerball ticket. We gave that up years ago.
So, I'll leave you all with this. Where would Northwestern's NCAA Division I hockey teams be playing? Same question for Purdue and Indiana? We already know how easy it's going to be for Iowa.