Central Collegiate Hockey Association

Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) is a NCAA Division I men's ice hockey conference. Originally founded in 1971, it operated as a premier league until its dissolution in 2013. The conference was revived in 2021, re-establishing a competitive footprint primarily in the Midwestern United States.

History

The conference was founded in 1971 by six schools: Bowling Green, Michigan–Dearborn, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. It quickly became a powerhouse, with its members frequently competing in the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament and for the national championship. The league expanded over the decades, adding prominent programs like the Alaska Fairbanks, Ferris State, and the Minnesota Duluth. A major realignment in collegiate athletics, driven by the formation of the Big Ten Conference hockey league and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, led to the original CCHA disbanding after the 2012–13 season. The conference name and legacy were revived in 2021, with a new group of schools beginning play for the 2021–22 season under the leadership of commissioner Don Lucia.

Member schools

The current iteration of the conference features eight member institutions for the 2024–25 season. The full members include Bemidji State, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State, Northern Michigan, and St. Thomas. These schools are primarily located in Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio. The conference also maintains an affiliate membership with the Alaska Anchorage for men's ice hockey. Notable former members of the original CCHA include the Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Conference arenas

Member schools compete in a variety of on-campus venues across the Midwestern United States. These include the Sanford Center (Bemidji State), Slater Family Ice Arena (Bowling Green), and Ewigleben Ice Arena (Ferris State). Other notable facilities are Taffy Abel Arena (Lake Superior State), the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena (Michigan Tech), and the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center (Minnesota State). Northern Michigan plays at the Berry Events Center, while St. Thomas utilizes the St. Thomas Ice Arena. These arenas create a challenging and vibrant road environment for conference play.

Championships

The conference champion is determined through the annual Mason Cup tournament, named for former commissioner Tom Mason. The winner of this postseason tournament receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament. During the original CCHA's history, its members won numerous national championships, with programs like Michigan State, Lake Superior State, and Bowling Green capturing the title. Individual awards, such as the CCHA Player of the Year and CCHA Rookie of the Year, are also presented annually. The revived league has seen Minnesota State and Michigan Tech claim the early Mason Cup championships.

Notable players

The CCHA has been a primary development path for countless players who advanced to professional careers in the NHL. Legendary alumni include Wayne Gretzky (Michigan Tech), Brett Hull (Minnesota Duluth), and Chris Chelios (Wisconsin). Other prominent NHL stars who played in the CCHA are Mike Modano, Ryan Miller, and T. J. Oshie. The conference has also produced Hobey Baker Award winners such as Ryan Miller (Michigan State) and Andy Miele (Miami (OH)). These players have contributed significantly to the rich history and competitive reputation of collegiate hockey in the region. Category:NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences Category:College ice hockey conferences in the United States Category:Sports in the Midwestern United States Category:Sports organizations established in 1971