Scout, analyst Dave Starman weighs in on ever-changing NCAA waters

Dave Starman is one of the nation’s most respected college hockey TV analysts and is part of the USA Hockey Coaching Education program.

A native of the Big Apple, Dave Starman is a longtime coach and instructor at nearly every level of hockey. 

Starman tended goal for the University of Hartford before turning to the other side of the game, becoming the youngest head coach in Central Hockey League history in 2000 when, at age 31, he took over the Memphis River Kings. Starman later guided the New York Junior Bobcats of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League and was associate coach of the New York Apple Core of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. Starman is now one of the nation’s most respected college hockey TV analysts and is part of the USA Hockey Coaching Education program.

Billy Jaffe: Without comparing it to years past too much, how would you describe the state of college hockey right now, Dave? 

Dave Starman: Active. I think it’s not done doing what it’s doing right now in terms of the conference structure and the way that it looks. On the business side of things, you’ve got this WCHA thing percolating right now, where seven of the 10 teams are looking to move in a different direction. Alaska (Anchorage) was a little bit in flux. Where does (Alabama) Huntsville slot in conference wise? And then you’ve got Arizona State that is still looking for a home. I think Arizona State is going to wind up in Hockey East. Just a hunch but I think that’s where they’re going to wind up, for a million different reasons, starting with travel. Nobody’s finished yet. I think the Big 10 would love to add one more team for an even number. Do the two Minnesota teams in Bemidji and Mankato wind up at some kind of alliance with the NCHC just for travel reasons and economic. The big picture, how the conferences are now, probably won’t look like it does now, two or three years from now.