Northern Collegiate Hockey League
The Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL) is a college ice hockey league based in the Central region of the United States. The conference is part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 2 and is made up of nine teams from universities based in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Northern Collegiate Hockey League | |
---|---|
Established | 2014 |
Association | ACHA |
Division | Division II |
Members | 9 |
Sports fielded |
|
Region | Central |
Commissioner | Dan Breunig |
Champions | Marian University (3rd title) |
Most titles | Marian University (3 titles) |
Website | Official website |
History
The 2014-2015 season was the inaugural season for the NCHL, formed of ACHA D2 teams from Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan.[1]
Regular-season format
Each conference member is required to play all the other members, for a 16 game conference season. Teams earn two point for a win (regulation or overtime), one point for a tie or an overtime loss, and zero points for a regulation loss.
At the end of the season the top six teams qualify for the conference tournament, with the top two teams receiving a first round bye.
Member teams
Member | Location | Joined league | Nickname | Home arena | Head coach |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aurora University | Aurora, IL | 2017 | Spartans | All Seasons | Ryan Buchanon |
Concordia University Wisconsin | Mequon, WI | 2018 | Falcons | Ozaukee Ice Center | Brandon Richards |
DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 2017 | Blue Demons | Johnny's Ice House West | Danny Randall |
Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 2015 | Flyers | CanLan Ice Sports | Tim Picco |
Marian University | Fond du Lac, WI | 2016 | Sabres | Blue Line Family Ice Center | Chris Frederickson |
Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | 2017 | Golden Eagles | The Ponds of Brookfield | Will Jurgensen |
Northern Michigan University | Marquette, MI | 2014 | Wildcats | Berry Events Center / Lakeview Arena | Brennon Wachter |
Robert Morris University - Maroon | Bensenville, IL | 2014 | Eagles | The Edge Ice Arena | Andy Poetzinger |
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | 2014 | Titans | 20th St. YMCA | Wes Holliday |
Conference tournament format
Playoffs 2020
Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Championship | |||||||||||
1 | Marian University | 2 | |||||||||||
4 | Marquette University | 9 | 4 | Marquette University | 1 | ||||||||
5 | Lewis University | 3 | 1 | Marian University | 4 (OT) | ||||||||
3 | Concordia University WI | 3 | |||||||||||
2 | Aurora University | 4 | |||||||||||
3 | Concordia University WI | 4 | 3 | Concordia University WI | 5 (OT) | ||||||||
6 | DePaul University | 1 |
Playoffs 2019
Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Championship | |||||||||||
1 | Marian University | 5 | |||||||||||
4 | Robert Morris University - Maroon | 6 | 4 | Robert Morris University | 0 | ||||||||
5 | DePaul University | 1 | 1 | Marian University | 3 | ||||||||
2 | Aurora University | 2 | |||||||||||
2 | Aurora University | 3 | |||||||||||
3 | Marquette University | 7 | 3 | Marquette University | 2 | ||||||||
6 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 4 |
Conference champions (Hap Cup)
Season | Champion | Runner-Up | Championship Location | Host |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014-15 | Waldorf University | Robert Morris University - Maroon | Albert Lea, MN | Waldorf University |
2015-16 | Robert Morris University - Maroon | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Marquette, MI | Northern Michigan University |
2016-17 | Marian University | Robert Morris University - Maroon | Albert Lea, MN | Waldorf University |
2017-18 | Aurora University | Marian University | Beaver Dam, WI | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh |
2018-19 | Marian University | Aurora University | Fond du Lac, WI | Marian University |
2019-20 | Marian University | Concordia University | Fond du Lac, WI | Marian University |
Championship totals
Team | Titles | Years |
Marian University | 3 | 2017, 2019, 2020 |
Aurora University | 1 | 2018 |
Robert Morris University - Maroon | 1 | 2016 |
Waldorf University | 1 | 2015 |
Season awards
Season | Player of the Year | School | Rookie of the Year | School | Coach of the Year | School |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014-15 | Ronald Paulson | Waldorf University | Ronald Paulson | Waldorf University | Brett Shelanski | Waldorf University |
2015-16 | Tony Francois | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Jason Johnson | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Chris Huebel | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh |
2016-17 | Joey Daniels | Robert Morris University - Maroon | Miles Giorgione | Marian University | Billy Karr | Robert Morris University - Maroon |
2017-18 | Tommy Feldman | DePaul University | Matt Ernsting | Lewis University | Don Cada | St. Mary's University of MN |
2018-19 | Conor Coyne & Justin Davidson | Marquette University & Marian University | Zach Tykocki | Aurora University | Will Jurgensen | Marquette University |
2019-20 | Jonathan Grodzki | Concordia University Wisconsin | Mack Willy | Concordia University Wisconsin | Chris Fredrickson | Marian University |
National championship qualifiers
- Marian University (2019)
- Aurora University (2018)
Expansion teams for 2020–21 season
- St. Norbert College
- Purdue University Northwest
Previous members
- University of Minnesota Duluth (2014-16)
- Michigan Tech University (2014-16)
- Waldorf University (2014-17)
- St. Mary's University of MN (2014-18)
References
- "NCHL History". Northern Collegiate Hockey League.