It may have been unexpectedly delayed by a season, but the WCCHA has officially struck a major milestone in 2023-2024 as our 20th season of league competition gets underway! From humble beginnings as a 5-team league officially founded by 5 student team leaders in the depths of Coffman Memorial Union at the University of Minnesota, the conference has grown to a strong 14-team, nationally recognized organization featuring the best regional competition in ACHA Men’s Division 2 play.
While not always linear, the growth has been organic and positive, with our member teams taking steps forward collectively each season to grow their programs, the league, and collegiate non-varsity hockey across North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Today, the league stretches from Jamestown and Grand Forks in the west and north, east and south to Madison – all centered around our core in the State of Hockey. The impact of the WCCHA exists beyond our members, with collegiate non-NCAA hockey programs continuing to be established and developing within our footprint. History tells a story of success, and the future remains bright.
This season’s conference battle should be as tight as ever. Fresh off of their third league title and a National semi-final appearance as the first WCCHA team to every directly qualify for Nationals, St. Thomas is eager to take the next step towards a National Championship. They aren’t alone, however, as fellow post-season combantants Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Minnesota-Crookston enter the season looking to one-up the Tommies. Of course, the remainder of the WCCHA is ready to pounce as well at both the conference and national level. Could we see a new WCCHA Champion this season? Time will tell, but one truth remains the same as it always has – the winner will earn it on the ice, with the Carla Berg Cup awaiting the victor’s hold at the 2024 WCCHA Tournament in February 2024.
With that, we welcome everyone to the 2023-2024 season – LET’S. PLAY. HOCKEY!