ABOUT THE WCCHA
The Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association is a conference featuring members from Universities and Colleges in the Upper Midwest. All members compete in the Central Region at the Division II level of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
The WCCHA is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
MISSION STATEMENT: The Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association provides collegiate club hockey teams from the upper Midwest an opportunity for intercollegiate competition in a competitive format. By organizing a conference schedule and end of season tournament, each participant is provided a chance to continue their competitive hockey career at a high level while balancing the rigors of their educational endeavors.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Commissioner Ryan Donovan - rdonovan@wccha.com | 262-617-0821
LEAGUE OVERVIEW
All conference members play a league schedule that includes 2 games against each divisional opponent and at least 2 series against teams from the other division. A combination of divisional standings (1-3 qualify) and KRACH
rankings (2 highest remaining teams in KRACH rankings qualify) will be used to seed the WCCHA Tournament, played each year on the second weekend of February. The winner of the tournament is crowned the season's WCCHA Champions.
All member teams are registered with the American Collegiate Club Hockey Association at the Division II level and are eligible for rankings in the Central Region.
Each year, the WCCHA Champion is awarded the Carla Berg Memorial Cup, named after Carla Berg, a tireless volunteer for the St. Cloud State University Club Hockey team before a tragic car accident took her life. The current cup trophy replaced the original traveling version, which now permanently resides in St. Cloud. Currently, each champion recieves a replica bowl to keep with their program.
The WCCHA currently qualifies for a conference auto-bid to the Central Regional Tournament, which went to the WCCHA Regular Season champion for the 2015-2016 season. For the 2016-2017 season and beyond, the WCCHA Champion/Tournament winner will earn the auto-bid (if not otherwise qualified via ranking).
THE WCCHA SO FAR...
The Western Collegiate Club Hockey Assocation was formed on a warm spring day in March of 2003 at the initial meeting of each of the original members at Coffman Memorial Union on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The five original members were: Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University - Mankato, University of Minnesota - Duluth, University of Minnesota - TC, and St. Cloud State University.
Following three years of conference play with the original five member institutions, the 2006-2007 season saw a major change as the WCCHA welcomed the University of St. Thomas into the Conference, taking the place of the departing University of Minnesota - Duluth. In 2008-2009 season, the WCCHA expanded with the addition of St. Olaf College. In 2009-2010, the conference added the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while in 2010-2011 the WCCHA once again welcomed the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Following the removal of St. Olaf midseason and the departure of Michigan Tech at the end of 2011, the WCCHA included Northern Michigan University as a seventh member (9th all-time) for 2011-2012. For the 2012-2013 season, the league expanded into Iowa, adding Waldorf College as an eighth member.
During the 2012-2013 season, Minnesota State University at Mankato was removed. Taking their place at the beginning in 2013-2014, the league welcomed the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Following the culmination of the 2013-2014 season, Northern Michigan, Minnesota-Duluth and Waldorf College departed the league.
For the 2014-2015 season, North Dakota State joined as an associate membership with full membership status in 2015-2016. Joining NDSU as new members for 2015-2016 were the University of North Dakota and former WCCHA member Minnesota State University at Mankato.
Winona State University and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse were approved for membership starting the 2016-2017 season. Minnesota-Duluth also rejoined as an associate member, and is slated for full membership along side Bethel University for 2017-2018. UW-Superior entered league play for the 2017-2018 season as a probationary member following the departure of Winona State University.
For the 2018-2019 season, UW-Superior began as a full member, with Winona State University rejoining as an associate member. UW-Superior was removed mid-season as a result of an ACHA suspension.
For the 2019-2020 season, Winona State University moves to full membership status alongside two new members, St. John's University and Gustavus Adolphus College.
In 2020-2021, the WCCHA did not hold a league competition for the first time since its inception due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the cancelation, the league continued operation and welcomed the University of Minnesota-Crookston into the conference to begin play in 2021-2022. With UM-C entering as a member of the Northeast Division, Minnesota-Duluth became the first team to shift divisions by moving into the Southeast following the departure of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
