Well, most of the big 10 would be the traditional hockey powers - Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin - as well as Ohio State, which has had some good teams. I think that forming the big 10 hockey will elevate some of the focus and not diminish it.
It is too bad that the NoDaks, Denvers, UMDs, and Miamis will lose the hockey traditional league rivalries, but I suppose that a 6 team league allows for a lot of non-league games.
BTW - there is still a league within the league for the Ivies within the ECAC. There are still banners to hoist. However, it does not work for the Big 10 as a league within a league b/c Minnesota and Wisconsin are the only WCHA teams.
Where is Ben when we need a hockey expert?