Think Colorado has enough Division-I hockey? Well not everyone does, including myself.

Some of you may have seen a recent email petition supporting D-I hockey in northern Colorado, at CSU. If you haven’t, go here http://ramhockeypetition.weebly.com/. It’s a noble cause but a challenging one.
Brett Tatman, a former CSU hockey player, has put the task on his shoulders to head the movement. He’s started the petition, formed an organization called the Ram Group LLC and has even had a dialogue with CSU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk. It’s all in the works, yet little tangible progress has been made except for the 1,100-plus signatures.

According to Tatman, the university athletic department is more concerned with improving the teams that already exist, rather than adding new ones. It makes sense and Tatman wants everyone to know he’s not waging a battle with CSU athletics. Instead he supports the department and his alma mater, and wants to work with them toward his ultimate goal.

“I understand it’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” said Tatman, who played for the Rams from 1994-96. “Ultimately we’d like to have something develop in the next five to seven years.”
That’s the reality of the situation though it’s important to start the process now.

Kowalczyk has been the AD at CSU for a little over two years and he’s been fighting an uphill battle, turning the department’s deficit. The process is going to take some time.

Hockey in the state has boomed of late due in part to the youth organizations as well as the college programs. Tatman’s motivation behind his movement is the fact that “It is another way to help youth hockey expand and improve.”

He admits that young hockey players see a jump from their organizations straight to the pros in northern Colorado (the Eagles). If there were something in between, it could be a way to encourage more hockey players to continue on. 
Between Denver, Colorado College and Air Force, Colorado had more teams in the NCAA hockey championship than any other state.

Should we assume that northern Colorado can have a successful team as well? Tatman sees no reason to believe otherwise.

“There is no difference between Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins,” said Tatman. “They all draw from the same region and talent pool.”

The interest in hockey in the northern part of the state is there as well. Just take a look at the stands at your next Eagle game at the Budweiser Event Center-- hardly an empty seat in the place. That’s because they’re the most successful CHL franchise in the country.

Hockey has a home just about everywhere.

Our job here at CHI is to promote the sport of hockey in its entirety, which is exactly why we support this movement. Sign the petition, get involved, it’s in all our best interest to promote better hockey.

To answer the question: There can never be too much D-I hockey.

For more information go to www.ramhockey.org .