Formerly | MAAC (Men) (1997–2003) Atlantic Hockey (Men) (2003–24) College Hockey America (Women) (2002–24) |
---|---|
Association | NCAA |
Founded | Men: 1997 (as MAAC) Women: 2002 (as CHA) |
First season | 2024–25 |
Commissioner | Michelle Morgan (since 2024) |
Sports fielded |
|
Division | Division I |
No. of teams | 11: Men's 6: Women's |
Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts |
Region | Northeastern United States, Colorado and Missouri |
Official website | http://www.atlantichockeyonline.com/ |
The Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) is an NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates primarily in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference.[1] The conference was formed due to the merger of Atlantic Hockey and College Hockey America.[2]
History
In 2010, the men's division of College Hockey America collapsed and two of the remaining teams joined Atlantic Hockey.[3] At that time, the two league began working together by sharing a commissioner and administrative staff in order to streamline their operating costs.[4] The arrangement worked well enough that by 2023, the two entities decided to formalize their relationship and announced that they were merging. The new league would begin in the 2024–25 season and would welcome a new member, Delaware, the following year.[5]
Three schools, Mercyhurst, RIT and Robert Morris have programs in both the men's and women's divisions. Holy Cross, Lindenwood, Penn State and Sacred Heart each operate teams of both sexes but only one is a member of Atlantic Hockey America. Niagara and Syracuse only have one varsity program active as of 2024 but both previous supported the other gender.[6]
Membership
Current
Future
Institution | Location | Nickname | Founded | Affiliation | Undergraduate Enrollment | Joined | Men's | Women's | Primary Conference | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Delaware | Newark, Delaware | Fightin' Blue Hens | 1743 | Public[a] | 23,281 | 2025 | C USA |
- ^ Delaware is legally chartered as a "privately governed, state-assisted" institution. This status is broadly similar to that of New York's statutory colleges, mostly housed at Cornell University, or institutions in Pennsylvania's Commonwealth System of Higher Education.
Timeline
Men Women Both
Champions
Conference arenas
Awards
See also
References
- ^ "Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America to Merge Operations in 2024". Atlantic Hockey Association. June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "Atlantic Hockey, CHA women will combine as Atlantic Hockey America for 2024-25 season". USCHO. April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ Shaver, Wally. "News and notes from the 2008 NCAA Men's Frozen Four". Retrieved 2010-01-28.
- ^ "Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America to Merge Operations in 2024". Atlantic Hockey Association. June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "University of Delaware to Join College Hockey America for 2025-26 Season" (Press release). College Hockey America. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ "Niagara University Announces Restructuring Of Athletics Programs". Niagara University. March 19, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-19.