Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association (WCCHA) / ACHA DII

WESTERN COLLEGIATE CLUB HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

NEWS

11.26.11

WCCHA FEATURED IN LET'S PLAY HOCKEY

(SAINT PAUL, MN) - The WCCHA and Commissioner Ryan Donovan were profiled by writer Andrew Vitalis in the November 17 issue of Let's Play Hockey. The article, entitled "College Hockey's 'Other' Option", can be read HERE.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9.14.11

2011-2012 SEASON PREVIEW

(MILWAUKEE, WI) - With another offseason coming to a close, it's time to look forward to another great season in the WCCHA! There are changes abound this season, with the departure of St. Olaf and Michigan Tech tempered by the entrance of Northern Michigan University into the fray. Here is a quick look at each team, and what to watch for this season:

Minnesota Duluth: (10-11: Regular Season - 5th, Tourney - 3rd) With the departure of top scorer and Team President Levi Goeden, the Bulldogs hopes of improving on their first season back in the WCCHA will hinge on whether other players can step up to fill the void. On the other hand, another year of experience and a surprising run at the WCCHA Tournament, including a shootout win over St. Thomas and a down-to-the-wire semifinal against eventual champions Minnesota, should have this team primed to make noise this season.

Minnesota State: (10-11: Regular Season - 7th, Tourney - QFL) A winless 2010-2011 WCCHA season means there is nowhere to go but up for the Mavericks. Historically a strong contender, MSU will looks to reload as it did in 2009 when it took the league by storm and won the conference crown. Look for new players to make an impact as the Mavericks attempt to rekindle their past successes this season.

University of Minnesota: (10-11: Regular Season - tied 1st, Tourney - Champions) There is no question that the 2010-2011 season was "mission completed" in terms of the WCCHA for the Gophers with a regular season 1st place finish and a conference title. That sentiment, however, is not true on the Regional stage as the team narrowly missed out on Regional Competition for the second year in a row to a fellow WCCHA team. This year's team will look to retain the title while taking the next step on the regional level. With new leadership working on moving the team in a new direction off the ice, one thing that should be emulated this season are results on the ice.

Northern Michigan: (10-11: N/A) The Wildcats will look to make a splash in their first season in the WCCHA as they look to bolster their regional prospects as well. A strong team for a number of years, NMU brings to the WCCHA not only a competitive squad but a strong non-conference schedule, which can bolster the prospects of all teams in the conference. The Wildcats enjoy a strong home-ice advantage, so all travelers be weary as this team looks to make a mark this season.

St. Cloud State: (10-11: Regular Season - tied 1st, Tourney - X) The 2010-2011 season was one that saw the Huskies achieve every goal but one - a repeat WCCHA Championship. An early season split at DI powerhouse Iowa State set the tone for the season, and the Huskies battled through the year impressing competitors and the ranking committee alike when finishing tied for first in the conference. However, news of an ineligible player in their ranks dashed their hopes at repeating as WCCHA Champions but was not enough to knock them from the regional Top Ten as they advanced, for the first time, to the Regional Tournament. While they lost a hard fought battle to host DePaul, the Huskies look to relock and reload as they seek to advance further this season and once again challenge for the WCCHA title.

St. Thomas: (10-11: Regular Season - 4th, Tourney - QFL) Having had the most regional success of any WCCHA team over the past four seasons, the 2010-2011 season was a bit of a let down for the Tommies. Big wins were tempered by inconsistency as the team split seemingly every series on their schedule. A mid-table WCCHA finish was not what was expected, and a stunning Shoot out loss to capped a season of "what-ifs" for St. Thomas as they narrowly missed Regionals. With long-time Coach Don Bell stepping away and Star Forward Jonathon Myers graduating, St. Thomas is a bit of an unknown as they look to rebound in 2011-2012.

Wisconsin: (10-11: Regular Season - tied 1st, Tourney - 2nd) Wisconsin continued to impress in their second season in the WCCHA, improving on their regular season finish (tied 1st) but not on their tournament results (2nd place). Wisconsin enjoyed a solid season, impressing at the ACHA Showcase in Ohio but failing to garner a marquee win over a top rated Central Opponent. With much of their firepower back this season and a strong non-conference schedule, the Badgers will look to put their name in the WCCHA record books with a tournament win and achieve the next step nationally by qualifying for Regionals in 2011-2012.

Who do you think will win the conference this season? Who is going to regionals this year? Anyone poised for a run to Nationals? Join the discussion on the WCCHA facebook page.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9.14.11

2010-2011 SEASON RECAP NOW AVAILABLE

(MILWAUKEE, WI) - As the 2011-2012 season approaches, now is the perfect time to look back on the 2010-2011 season, which was a banner year for the WCCHA. With four teams finishing in the top 15 in the final rankings and two players named to an ACHA Central Region Team, the WCCHA continues to improve its regional and national standing. The recap can be viewed in the HISTORY section of the LEAGUE INFORMATION page.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.10.11

WCCHA NAMES 2010-2011 ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS

(MADISON, WI) - Previewing this weekend's action, the WCCHA announced the 2010-2011 All Conference teams this evening. The top three teams are heavily represented, with Minnesota leading the first team all conference selections with three. Between the first and second team, Wisconsin placed four players, while St. Cloud State had three players recognized. St. Thomas and Minnesota-Duluth each had one player named to the first team following stellar individual seasons. Of note, Minnesota's Bho Olson and Adam Wagner earned their second straight first team selections along with St. Thomas' Colin Quinn. Wisconsin's Jason Ehrmantraut also found himself among the top teams for the second straight season, while Minnesota-Duluth's Levi Goeden is his club's first ever representative on the All-Conference teams.

For a complete list of winners, view the teams HERE.

Read the tournament preview HERE.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.1.11

WCCHA PENULTIMATE WEEKEND SOLIDIFIES TOURNAMENT SEEDING

(MADISON, WI) - With this past weekend's series in the books, the conference tournament seeding is set. While Minnesota-Wisconsin split this weekend to tie atop the standings, Minnesota takes the #1 seed by virtue of a superior head-to-head goal differential. Wisconsin will take the remaining bye as the #2 seed, having a superior goal differential to #3 St. Cloud State, who shared a 9-3-0 conference record with Minnesota and Wisconsin but had a negative head-to-head goal differential against both. SCSU will take on #6 MSU-Mankato, who fell in heartbreaking comeback fashion to St. Thomas this past Friday, responding with a tie the next night to grab a point in the standings. Playing the other quarterfinal on Friday night, #4 St. Thomas will take on #5 Minnesota-Duluth. The two teams split a series earlier in the year, and the rematch is sure to be a great one.

With rankings due out this week, the WCCHA Tournament will likely see the Champion qualify for the Central Regional Tournament, which should be the icing on the cake in the challenge for the Carla Berg Trophy!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12.5.10

SECOND CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS SHOW RECORD FOUR WCCHA TEAMS IN THE RUNNING FOR REGIONALS

(LIVONIA, MI) - For the first time ever, four WCCHA teams have made the top 15 in the Central Region Rankings. Leading the pack is St. Cloud State, who moved up to #10 following a undefeated ranking period, which included a sweep over Division I North Dakota State. Following closely is debutant Wisconsin, climbing to #13 while reaching the top of the WCCHA standings. St. Thomas held steady at #14, which Minnesota appears for the first time at #15 with another strong start to the season. All teams will take a break over the holiday season and return to action in January, with Minnesota leading the charge with a trip to Michigan to play #2 Grand Valley State and #9 Central Michigan.

For the complete rankings, visit the

.ACHA D2 Rankings

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12.3.10

STATEMENT REGARDING ST. OLAF COLLEGE

(MADISON, WI) - Effective December 3, 2010, St. Olaf College is no longer a member of the WCCHA. The decision came after numerous violations of WCCHA and ACHA policies, as well as the cancelation of their final two WCCHA series this season. While the conference loses a member, it looks forward to the opportunity to revamp and strengthen moving forward to better meet its goal of providing its members a competitive slate of conference games that will act as a springboard to regional and national competition.

Another announcement regarding conference membership will be made in the near future.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11.5.10

2010-2011 CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS RELEASED; WCCHA WELL REPRESENTED

(LIVONIA, MI) - The first rankings of the season were released today, with four WCCHA warranting a mention in the rankings. After a number of seasons outside the votes, St. Cloud State (7-3-0-0 overall, 4-2-0 WCCHA) debuted at #12 to lead the WCCHA teams. Next in the rankings was St. Thomas (7-5-0-0 overall, 5-3-0 WCCHA), who slotted in at #14. For those "also receiving votes," Wisconsin (4-3-1-3 overall, 3-1-0 WCCHA) and Minnesota (4-3-0-0 overall, 4-0-0 WCCHA) look poised to move up in the next rankings.

While none of the teams currently sit within regional tournament qualification (top ten), the four teams mentioned amounts to the highest amount of WCCHA teams receiving votes in the history of the conference. Certainly, with teams such as #15 RMC-White (Maroon's JV squad) and #11 St. Norbert (done for the season) likely to fall in the next rankings, the WCCHA is well positioned to see four teams in the top 15 after the next ranking period.

For the complete rankings, visit the

.ACHA D2 Rankings

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10.1.10

2010-2011 WCCHA SEASON KICKS OFF WITH THREE SERIES

(MADISON, WI) - The 2010-2011 WCCHA is set to begin this season, with three series on tap. In Madison, an early rematch of the 2010 Conference championship game pits the Badgers against the visiting St. Cloud State University Huskies, who are coming off an impressive series split with ACHA DI Iowa State (preseason #2). In Houghton, the Michigan Tech Wolfpack play host to Minnesota State Mankato, while last season's regular season leader, St. Thomas, welcomes WCCHA new boys Minnesota-Duluth for a pair of games. This season promises to be the most competitive yet, so check back often for updated standings and game play recaps.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PREVIOUS NEWS (PDF)

For more information, contact the Commissioner - rdonovan@wccha.com