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5. University of Montana
In Missoula the University of Montana could be a hot spot for hockey players. The university's defunct club team used to draw considerable crowds for home games. (Photo courtesy of Montana Griz Hockey)
For a few years University of Montana successfully supported a men's ACHA club team. The team drew significant home crowds but would struggle to both attract players and afford the long trips to the nearest competitors. Nonetheless the school is a perfect destination for Division 1 hockey. They wouldn't be far from North Dakota, Nebraska or Colorado teams but would be close enough to the West Coast states to be a part of the (suggested) new conference. Granting the school a Division 1 Men's Hockey program would give them both the financial means to survive and the recruitment tools to build a competitive roster.
