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Central Collegiate Hockey Association
CCHA
Central Collegiate Hockey Association logo
Established 1971
Association NCAA
Division Division I
Sports fielded
Region Midwestern United States
Commissioner Don Lucia (since 2020)
Website https://ccha.com

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) is a college athletic conference that began competing in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference in the 2021–22 season. The first incarnation of the conference, which the current CCHA recognizes as part of its history, existed from 1971 to 2013. Half of its members are located in the state of Michigan, with additional members in Minnesota and Ohio. It has also had teams located in Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Nebraska during its existence.

original league logo

The CCHA was disbanded after the 2012–13 season as the result of a conference realignment stemming from the Big Ten Conference (of which three CCHA schools; Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, were primary members) choosing to sponsor Division I ice hockey beginning in the 2013–14 season. The remaining CCHA members received invitations to other conferences, such as the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), Hockey East, and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), which itself had been depleted by the Big Ten and NCHC. The conference's last game before its hiatus was the final of the 2013 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, where Notre Dame beat Michigan 3–1 to win the Mason Cup championship.

On February 18, 2020, seven schools who had applied to leave the WCHA announced they would form a new CCHA for the 2021–22 season. The initial member schools were Bemidji State, Bowling Green (who had retained the rights to the CCHA name), Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State and Northern Michigan. On July 29, 2020, it was announced that an eighth school, the University of St. Thomas, would join the conference after previously being an NCAA Division III program. [1]

On May 17, 2022 the conference announced the addition of the Augustana Vikings to the conference for the 2023-24 season. The team will play a reduced schedule for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons with a full league schedule beginning with the 2025-26 season.[2]

History[]

Foundation[]

The CCHA began in 1971 as an NCAA conference comprised by Bowling Green, Ohio, Ohio State and Saint Louis.[3] After adding Lake Superior State for year two, both Ohio State and Ohio withdrew from the conference, leaving the CCHA with a scant 3 members. Despite the trouble, the three teams rode out the rough patch and the league began to grow with the addition of Western Michigan and the return of Ohio State.[4]

NCAA acceptance[]

Up until 1976 the NCAA had only offered bids to the tournament from teams in either ECAC Hockey or the WCHA. Because those were the only two Division I conferences for most years there was no controversy but, after the CCHA had proved to be more than just a flash in the pan, the tournament had to change. Beginning with the 1977 Championship the NCAA allowed itself the freedom to add up to four additional teams to the tournament with the understanding that the CCHA tournament champion would receive one of the additional bids. Bowling Green won the first tournament game for the conference but it wasn't until Northern Michigan reached the championship game in 1980 that the league began to gain acceptance.

WCHA defectors[]

1981 saw a major shift in college ice hockey with four teams from the WCHA defecting to the CCHA. The move was done as a way to reduce travel costs as well as provide the new team with a better chance at making the NCAA Tournament (many of the CCHA teams were still seen as lesser programs). Michigan State made the tournament in its first three season of CCHA play but it was founding member Bowling Green that won the conference's first national championship in 1984.[5]

National prominence[]

Bill Beagan served as commissioner of the CCHA from 1985 to 1998.[6] He implemented a pre-season training camp for referees, despite the officials going on strike in protest.[7] He developed a working relationship with the NHL to develop future officials in collegiate hockey.[8]

He sought to have CCHA games televised as a game-of-the-week,[6] and signed the first national television contract for colleges in the United States.[9] He brought in cable television partners which included the Pro Am Sports System and Fox Sports Net.[8] He introduced instant replay to the CCHA in 1993, to be used at its league championships, and arranged for the CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament finals to be played at Joe Louis Arena.[10] He was credited with coining the phrase, "Road to the Joe", in reference to end-of-year tournament culminating at the Joe Louis Arena.[7]

Prior to Beagan's arrival, the CCHA had not been a profitable association. After 10 years as commissioner, the league had made $4 million.[9][6] Profits were shared with the schools, which were reinvested into hockey programs and new arenas.[6] On-ice results improved during his tenure, and CCHA teams won six NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament championships.[9][6] In addition, Beagan convinced the University of Notre Dame to resurrect its hockey program in 1992.[6]

Michigan State won their first title as a CCHA team two years after Bowling Green and in 1988 Lake Superior State won their first NCAA championship. The Lakers and Spartans both remained near the top of the NCAA ranks into the 1990s but it was Michigan who took over as the conference pacesetter. The Wolverines began a streak of 22 consecutive tournament appearances in 1991 and won 2 national titles in that time. While the conference and most of its teams were stable throughout the early 21st century the CCHA suffered a mortal blow at the end of the decade.

Realignment and discontinuation[]

See also: 2010–2014 NCAA conference realignment: Ice hockey

Pennsylvania State University announced on September 17, 2010 the transition of its men's and women's American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) programs to NCAA Division I status in 2012.[11] Just over a month earlier, then-commissioner Tom Anastos publicly stated that the CCHA would strongly consider adding Penn State as the conference's 12th member.[12] Instead, the league was left to deal with the imminent departures of Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State when the Big Ten Conference disclosed on March 21, 2011 its intention to establish a men's ice hockey circuit to begin play in the 2013–14 season, as the conference now had enough hockey teams to earn an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament for its champion.[13] Joining the existing CCHA members were the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin from the WCHA, as well as Penn State.[13]

The next school slated to leave the CCHA in 2013 was Miami University which became a charter member of the NCHC on July 15, 2011.[14] Western Michigan accepted an invitation to join the new league just over two months later on September 22.[15]

The demise of the CCHA was further accelerated when five members decided to move to the WCHA following the 2012–13 campaign. Northern Michigan University, returning to the WCHA after leaving in 1997, was the first to make the announcement on July 20,[16] followed by Alaska, Ferris State and Lake Superior State on August 26[17] and Bowling Green on October 4.[18]

Notre Dame accepted an invitation to the Hockey East Association in a press conference on October 5, 2011.[19]

Revival[]

On June 28, 2019 seven schools began the process of withdrawing from the WCHA, with the intent of forming a new conference for the 2021–22 season. The seven schools cited a more compact geographic footprint as one reason for the move, with Alabama-Huntsville, Alaska and Alaska–Anchorage notably absent.[20] On February 18, 2020 these seven schools announced they would begin competing in a new CCHA in 2021–22.[21]

Don Lucia, a former head coach at Alaska, Colorado College, and Minnesota, was named as commissioner of the new CCHA on June 17, 2020.[22] A new league logo was introduced shortly thereafter.[23]

Current members[]

Institution Location Nickname Founded Enrollment Affiliation Previous
conference
Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota Beavers 1919 6,354 Public WCHA
Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio Falcons 1910 20,395 Public WCHA
Ferris State University Big Rapids, Michigan Bulldogs 1884 14,707 Public WCHA
Lake Superior State University Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Lakers 1946 2,637 Public WCHA
Michigan Technological University Houghton, Michigan Huskies 1885 7,270 Public WCHA
Minnesota State University Mankato, Minnesota Mavericks 1868 17,357 Public WCHA
Northern Michigan University Marquette, Michigan Wildcats 1899 6,764 Public WCHA
University of St. Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota Tommies 1885 9,878 Private MIAC

Future member[]

Institution Location Nickname Founded Enrollment Affiliation Joining Previous
conference
Augustana University Sioux Falls, South Dakota Vikings 1860 2,080 Private 2023 None

Former members[]

Institution Location Nickname Founded Affiliation Joined Left Subsequent
conference
Current
conference
University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, Alaska Nanooks 1917 Public 1995 2013 WCHA Independent
Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio Falcons 1910 Public 1971 2013 WCHA CCHA
Ferris State University Big Rapids, Michigan Bulldogs 1884 Public 1979 2013 WCHA CCHA
University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, Illinois Flames 1946 Public 1982 1996 dropped program as school sponsored sport
Kent State University Kent, Ohio Golden Flashes 1910 Public 1992 1994 dropped program as school sponsored sport
Lake Superior State University Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Lakers 1946 Public 1972 2013 WCHA CCHA
Miami University Oxford, Ohio RedHawks 1809 Public 1980 2013 NCHC
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Wolverines 1817 Public 1981 2013 Big Ten
Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan Spartans 1855 Public 1981 2013 Big Ten
Michigan Technological University Houghton, Michigan Huskies 1885 Public 1981 1984 WCHA CCHA
University of Nebraska Omaha Omaha, Nebraska Mavericks 1908 Public 1999 2010 WCHA NCHC
Northern Michigan University Marquette, Michigan Wildcats 1899 Public 1977
1997
1984
2013
WCHA (1984 and 2013) CCHA
University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana Fighting Irish 1842 Private/Catholic 1981
1992
1983
2013
Hockey East Big Ten
Ohio University Athens, Ohio Bobcats 1804 Public 1971 1973 dropped program as school sponsored sport
Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Buckeyes 1870 Public 1971
1975
1973
2013
Independent
Big Ten
Saint Louis University St. Louis, Missouri Billikens 1818 Private/Catholic 1971 1979 dropped program as school sponsored sport
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan Broncos 1903 Public 1975 2013 NCHC

Membership timeline[]

University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)Minnesota State University, MankatoBemidji State UniversityUniversity of Nebraska OmahaUniversity of Alaska FairbanksKent State UniversityUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of MichiganMichigan Technological UniversityMichigan State UniversityMiami UniversityFerris State UniversityNorthern Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan UniversityLake Superior State UniversitySaint Louis UniversityOhio State UniversityOhio UniversityBowling Green State University

[24]

Regular-season champions[]

  • 1972 Ohio State/Saint Louis
  • 1973 Saint Louis
  • 1974 Lake Superior State/Saint Louis
  • 1975 Saint Louis
  • 1976 Bowling Green
  • 1977 Saint Louis
  • 1978 Bowling Green
  • 1979 Bowling Green
  • 1980 Northern Michigan
  • 1981 Northern Michigan
  • 1982 Bowling Green
  • 1983 Bowling Green
  • 1984 Bowling Green
  • 1985 Michigan State
  • 1986 Michigan State
  • 1987 Bowling Green
  • 1988 Lake Superior State
  • 1989 Michigan State
  • 1990 Michigan State
  • 1991 Lake Superior State
  • 1992 Lake Superior State

  • 1993 Miami
  • 1994 Michigan
  • 1995 Michigan
  • 1996 Lake Superior State/Michigan
  • 1997 Michigan
  • 1998 Michigan State
  • 1999 Michigan State
  • 2000 Michigan
  • 2001 Michigan State
  • 2002 Michigan
  • 2003 Ferris State
  • 2004 Michigan
  • 2005 Michigan
  • 2006 Miami
  • 2007 Notre Dame
  • 2008 Michigan
  • 2009 Notre Dame
  • 2010 Miami
  • 2011 Michigan
  • 2012 Ferris State
  • 2013 Miami
  • 2022 Minnesota State

Awards[]

At the conclusion of each regular season schedule the coaches of each CCHA team vote which players they choose to be on the three All-Conference Teams:[25] first team, second team and rookie team. They also vote on awards for the league's top defenseman, forward, goaltender, player regardless of position, rookie, and coach. The CCHA also awards a Most Valuable Player in Tournament which is voted on at the conclusion of the conference tournament. In the past, the Perani Cup and a Humanitarian Award were presented, but they were not reinstated when the conference resumed play. None of the individual awards conferred by the CCHA have been given for the entire existence of the conference. Only the Tournament MVP was awarded in the inaugural CCHA season, but that award was discontinued thereafter until 1982.[26][27][28]

The original CCHA's awards for player, goaltender, and coach of the year, plus the tournament MVP, were revived along with the league in 2021–22. The awards presented by the original CCHA for best offensive and defensive defenseman were merged into a single award for best defenseman, and the original CCHA's award for best defensive forward was folded into the award for best forward.[29]

All-Conference Teams[]

Award Inaugural Year
First Team 1972–73
Second Team 1972–73
Rookie Team 1988–89
All-Tournament Team 1972

Individual awards[]

Current[]

Award Inaugural Year
Player of the Year 1976–77
Rookie of the Year 1978–79
Coach of the Year 1975–76
Forward of the Year 2021–22
Defenseman of the Year 2021–22
Goaltender of the Year 2000–01
Most Valuable Player in Tournament 1972

Former[]

Award Inaugural Year
Best Defensive Forward 1989–90
Best Offensive Defenseman 1989–90
Best Defensive Defenseman 1989–90
Terry Flanagan Memorial Award 1992–93
Ilitch Humanitarian Award 2000–01
Perani Cup Champion 2002–03
Scholar-Athlete of the Year 2004–05

All-Decade Teams[]

1970s All-Decade Team[]

1970s All-Decade Team[30]

First Team[]

Second Team[]

1980s All-Decade Team[]

1980s All-Decade Team[30]

First Team[]

Second Team[]

1990s All-Decade Team[]

1990s All-Decade Team[30]

First Team[]

Second Team[]

2000-2013 All-Decade Team[]

2000-2013 All-Decade Team[31]

First Team[]

Second Team[]

References[]

  1. CCHA Welcomes The University Of St. Thomas (en) (29 July 2020).
  2. https://www.uscho.com/2022/05/17/augustana-to-join-ccha-as-ninth-member-school-will-start-play-with-2023-24-season/
  3. History of the CCHA. College Hockey Historical Archive.
  4. "2012-13 CCHA Media Guide", ISSUU.com. 
  5. Official 2008 NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Records Book (PDF), Indianapolis: National Collegiate Athletic Association, 54, 58. [dead link]
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Bacon, John U. (2001). Blue Ice: The Story of Michigan Hockey. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 284–288. ISBN 0-472-09781-4. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Mackinder, Matt (September 22, 2011). Checking In: Former CCHA commissioner Bill Beagan.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Bill Beagan.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bill Beagan Was A CCHA Commissioner and NHL Referee.
  10. Wallace, William N.. "College Hockey Report", December 22, 1993, p. B14. 
  11. "Penn State to Add Men's and Women's Varsity Ice Hockey," Pennsylvania State University Athletics, Friday, September 17, 2010..
  12. Gholston, Sandy (August 10, 2010). Anastos to the Detroit News: Penn State 'very attractive' to the CCHA. Mlive.com.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Staff. "Big Ten confirms plan to sponsor hockey starting in 2013–14 season", USCHO, March 21, 2011. 
  14. "New DI hockey conference formed," NCAA.com, Friday, July 15, 2011..
  15. "WMU To Join National Collegiate Hockey Conference," Western Michigan University Athletics, Thursday, September 22, 2011.
  16. "Northern Michigan to Rejoin WCHA Family," Western Collegiate Hockey Association press release, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
  17. "College hockey: Lake Superior State, Ferris State, Alaska-Fairbanks join WCHA," The Bemidji (MN) Pioneer, Saturday, August 27, 2011.
  18. "Bowling Green State University to Join WCHA Family," Western Collegiate Hockey Association press release, Wednesday, October 4, 2011.
  19. "Notre Dame joining Hockey East", Associated Press, October 5, 2011. 
  20. Statement Regarding Hockey League Affiliation. Bowling Green Falcons (June 28, 2019).
  21. Johnson, Randy (February 18, 2020). CCHA will be new name for seven teams leaving WCHA in 2021-22.
  22. Ex-Minnesota coach Don Lucia picked to run new CCHA hockey league (June 17, 2020).
  23. CCHA Introduces New Logo. Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
  24. https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mice/2019-20/files/CCHA_Press_Release.pdf
  25. "Henderson and Odegard Recipients of CCHA Major Awards", Alaska Nanooks, 2013-03-22. 
  26. "CCHA Awards", College Hockey Historical Archive. 
  27. "All-CCHA Teams", College Hockey Historical Archive. 
  28. "CCHA All-Rookie Teams", College Hockey Historical Archive. 
  29. Central Collegiate Hockey Association (March 13, 2022). CCHA to announce annual awards this week. Press release.
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 CCHA Announces All-Decade Teams (March 29, 2001).
  31. CCHA Names All-Decade Team for 2000-2013 (January 23, 2013).

See Also[]

External links[]

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).


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