(December 15, 2020) MILWAUKEE, WI – The Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association has decided that league competition will not return in Spring, effectively canceling the 2020-2021 WCCHA season due to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
If allowed by University/local regulations, members may compete in the ACHA and play an independent schedule to retain eligibility for the postseason. Should the ACHA move forward with Regionals/Nationals in Spring, there will be no WCCHA auto-bid awarded.
Statement from Commissioner Ryan Donovan:
After making early decisions to cancel our planned Challenge Showcase and the Fall semester, we held out into December hopeful that the circumstances at both the local and national level may improve. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.
Our league is geographically diverse and although some of our members are or will be allowed back on the ice in spring, there is almost no scenario where – given the shortened time frame of spring semester – we would be able to complete even our proposed division-only schedule. Further, given likely limitation on travel/overnights, we would not be able to host our tournament to the expected standards this season, if at all.
We are saddened that for the first time in 18 years, there will be no WCCHA Champion crowned and that our student-athletes will not have the opportunity to compete this season. However, we remain hopeful that come Fall, our league and its members will be ready to hit the ice with a full season of competition ahead.