The Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association (WCCHA) will welcome the North Dakota State University Bison back to the league as a full member, beginning play in 2025-2026. The Bison last participated in the WCCHA during the 2021-2022 season, having first joined the league in 2014. The addition of NDSU will bring the league back up to a full slate of 14 league members across two seven-team divisions.
Commissioner Ryan Donovan: “We’re excited to have North Dakota State University rejoin our league next season. The Bison have a long and storied history in the ACHA, and a strong competitive streak during their previous seven-season membership. The school is well placed in the heart of our Northwest Division, making their inclusion beneficial for their soon-to-be divisional rivals. We look forward to NDSU hitting the ice as a member in 2025-2026 and immediately competing for league honors.”
Divisional Realignment
To ensure the best geographic layout for the division, there will be a minor realignment of current members in 2025-2026. North Dakota State will rejoin the Northwest Division. Current Southeast Division member University of Minnesota-Duluth will also move to the Northwest, where the Bulldogs previously played prior to the 2022-2023 season. Moving the other direction will be the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Bethel University, which will, for the first time, place all three Twin Cities area Universities in the same division.
2025-2026 Divisions:
Northwest – Jamestown, North Dakota State, North Dakota, Minnesota-Crookston, Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, St. John’s
Southeast – Minnesota, Bethel, St. Thomas, UW-Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Gustavus Adolphus, MSU-Mankato