National Collegiate Hockey Association

The National Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) is a defunct 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 was primarily composed of American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division III teams from the Northeast.

Not to be confused with National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
National Collegiate Hockey Association
SportIce hockey
Founded2011 - 2017
PresidentMichael Smietana
No. of teams25
Country United States
Most recent
champion(s)		University at Buffalo (2016–17)
Official websiteNCHA.us

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 were 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 had 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

  • East Division
  • West Division

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.

YearNational ChampionRunner-UpResultHost/Location
2012–13Western WashingtonLe Moyne College2-1[2]Buffalo, New York
2013–14Pittsburgh-GreensburgUC San Diego2-0[3][4]Newark, Ohio
2014–15St. John Fisher CollegePittsburgh-Greensburg8-5Newark, Ohio
2015–16University at BuffaloPenn State Altoona4-2[5]Newark, Ohio
2016–17University at BuffaloUnion College5-2Amherst, New York

See also

References
  1. "United Hockey Union Welcomes NCHA". United Hockey Union. 18 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 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
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