Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) is a college ice hockey conference which operates primarily in the northeastern United States. It participates in NCAA Division I as an ice hockey-only conference.[1] The conference was formed by the merger of the men-only Atlantic Hockey Association and the women-only College Hockey America (CHA).[2]
 | |
| 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 (10 in 2025) 6: Women's |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Region | Northeastern United States, Colorado and Missouri |
| Official website | atlantichockeyonline.com |
| Locations | |
 | |
History
editIn 2010, the men's division of CHA collapsed and two of the remaining teams joined the Atlantic Hockey Association.[3] At that time, the two leagues 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] However, the number of men's members will be reduced by 1 in the same year as AIC drops their program to the Division II level, opting to place their hockey program in their all-sports conference of the NE-10[6][7]
Membership
editThree 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 AHA. Niagara and Syracuse only have one varsity program active as of 2024 but both previously supported the other gender.[8]
Current
editConference affiliations are current for the first season of the merged AHA in 2024–25.
Member departing for Division II in 2025.
- ^ The Academy grounds lie almost entirely outside the Colorado Springs city limits. The U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Census Bureau respectively treat the Academy as "USAF Academy" and "Air Force Academy".
- ^ The campus mailing address is "Niagara University".
- ^ The entire Penn State campus is designated by the U.S. Postal Service as "University Park". It straddles the boundary between State College and College Township.
Future
editPrimary conference affiliation is current for the first season of AHA play.
| Institution | Location | Nickname | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Joining | Men's | Women's | Primary Conference[a] | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Delaware | Newark, Delaware | Fightin' Blue Hens | 1743 | Public[b] | 23,281 | 2025 |  |
 |
CUSA |
- ^ As of the date of joining AHA.
- ^ 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
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Men Women Both
Champions
editConference arenas
editAwards
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ "AIC Dropping Program Back to Division II". College Hockey News. November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "AIC Moving to Division II at Conclusion of 2024-2025 Season" (Press release). Atlantic Hockey America. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ "Niagara University Announces Restructuring Of Athletics Programs". Niagara University. March 19, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-19.