National Collegiate Hockey Association

National Collegiate Hockey Association
Sport Ice hockey
Founded 2011
President Michael Smietana
No. of teams 25
Country  United States
Most recent champion(s) University at Buffalo (2015–16)
Official website NCHA.us

The National Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) is a national organization of men's college- and university-level ice hockey programs in the United States. The NCHA used to be known as the Collegiate Ice Hockey Association (CIHA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Hockey (NAIH). The association is primarily composed of American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division III teams from the Northeast.

History

The NAIH was formed in 2011 as an alternative to the ACHA for hockey teams that wanted a lower cost for membership and a high level of competition. However, many teams in the NCHA are also members of the ACHA.

In the spring of 2013, the NAIH changed its name to the CIHA and after the 2013-14 season changed its name to the NCHA.

In July 2014, the NCHA was sanctioned by the United Hockey Union, a branch of Amateur Athletic Union.[1]

Teams

For the 2015–16 season, the NCHA has four conferences: North Eastern (New York), South Eastern (Pennsylvania/West Virginia), South Western (California) and the Independent Conference. The champion of each conference receives an automatic bid to Nationals.

North Eastern Conference

South Eastern Conference

South Western Conference

Independent Conference

Founders Cup Champions

The 2012–13 season was the first year the NAIH held a national tournament. The national championship trophy was dubbed the Founders Cup.

Year National Champion Runner-Up Result Host/Location
2012–13 Western Washington Le Moyne College 2-1[2] Buffalo, New York
2013–14 Pittsburgh-Greensburg UC San Diego 2-0[3][4] Newark, Ohio
2014–15 St. John Fisher College Pittsburgh-Greensburg 8-5 Newark, Ohio
2015–16 University at Buffalo Penn State Altoona 4-2[5] Newark, Ohio

See also

References

  1. ↑ "United Hockey Union Welcomes NCHA". United Hockey Union. 18 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "WWU ice hockey team wins national championship in overtime". Western Today. 22 March 2013.
  3. ↑ "Pitt-Greensburg Club Ice Hockey Team wins National Championship". University of Pittsburgh Greensburg. 7 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Pitt-Greensburg celebrates national ice hockey title". WTAE Pittsburgh. 7 April 2014.
  5. ↑ http://ncha.us/teams/default.asp?u=NCHA&s=hockey&p=boxscore&sportsHQ=NCHA-6&gameID=2079204

External links

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