College Hockey America (CHA) is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I ice hockey-only conference based in Detroit, Michigan that was formed in mid-1999 after the dissolution of Division II ice hockey. [1] CHA was originally a men's and women's ice hockey conference, but has been a women's-only conference since 2010 when Niagara and Robert Morris joined Atlantic Hockey, Bemidji State joined the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and Alabama–Huntsville became an independent school. [2] After the completion of each regular season, it held the CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament to determine its men's conference champion. In 2001, CHA commissioned the Bruce M. McLeod Trophy, named after its first commissioner, which was awarded to the tournament champion. [3] In 2003, CHA was granted an annual automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship for its tournament champion. [4] [5] Before this, the only CHA team to have played in the national championship tournament was Niagara, which received an at-large bid into the 2000 tournament. [6] No CHA team won a national championship, and until 2009, Niagara was the only CHA team to have advanced past the first round. [7] In the 2009 tournament, Bemidji State became the only CHA team and 16th ranked seed to ever advance to the Frozen Four. [7]
Eleven CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournaments were held during the existence of CHA. The tournament was first hosted at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama and was won by Niagara. [8] Bemidji State, Niagara, and Wayne State won the most CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournaments, with three each. [9] Alabama–Huntsville and Bemidji State had the most championship game appearances, with six each. [9] Bill Wilkinson and Tom Serratore coached three championship teams, more than any other CHA coaches. Tom Serratore had the most championship game appearances as a coach, with six. Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, New York hosted the tournament three times, more than any other venue. [9]
Appearances | Team | Wins | Losses | Win % | Years of appearance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Bemidji State | 3 | 3 | .500 | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 |
6 | Alabama–Huntsville | 2 | 4 | .333 | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010 |
5 | Niagara | 3 | 2 | .600 | 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 |
3 | Wayne State | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 2001, 2002, 2003 |
2 | Robert Morris | 0 | 2 | .000 | 2007, 2009 |
College Hockey America (CHA) is a college ice hockey conference in the United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The conference is made up of five women’s teams, with two in Pennsylvania; two in New York, and one in Missouri. A former member in Pennsylvania will return in 2023.
The Alabama–Huntsville Chargers ice hockey were an NCAA Division I college ice hockey program that represented the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The program was discontinued in 2021 due to funding issues and lack of conference membership.
The 2008 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 14 and March 16, 2008 at Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, New York. By winning the tournament, Niagara received College Hockey America's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2000 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 10 and March 12, 2000, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Niagara defeated Alabama-Huntsville 3–2 in the championship game to win the inaugural tournament.
The 2003 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 14 and March 16, 2003 at Tri-City Arena in Kearney, Nebraska. By winning the tournament, Wayne State received College Hockey America's automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2004 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 12 and March 14, 2004 at Tri-City Arena in Kearney, Nebraska. By winning the tournament, Niagara received College Hockey America's automatic bid to the 2004 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2005 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 11 and March 13, 2005, at the IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Bemidji State received College Hockey America's automatic bid to the 2005 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2006 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 11 and March 13, 2006, at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Detroit, Michigan. By winning the tournament, Bemidji State received College Hockey America's automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2007 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 9 and March 11, 2007 at the 95KGGO Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. By winning the tournament, Alabama-Huntsville received College Hockey America's automatic bid to the 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2009 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played on March 13 and March 14, 2009 at the John S. Glas Field House in Bemidji, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Bemidji State received College Hockey America's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
Derek Schooley is an American ice hockey head coach and former player. He was formerly the head coach for Robert Morris, a position he has held from 2004 until the program's disbandment in 2021.
The 2009–10 Alabama–Huntsville Chargers ice hockey team represented the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the 2009–10 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. The Chargers were coached by Danton Cole who was in his third season as head coach. His assistant coaches were Chris Luongo and John McCabe. The Chargers played their home games in the Von Braun Center, and were a member of College Hockey America.
Matthew Scott Climie is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently an unrestricted free agent who most recently played with the CBR Brave of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). Climie has played in the National Hockey League with the Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes.
The Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Bemidji State University. The Beavers are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and play at Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota, as of the 2010 season, after previously playing at the John S. Glas Field House.
The Niagara Purple Eagles men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Niagara University. The Purple Eagles are a member of Atlantic Hockey. They play at the Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, New York.
The Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Robert Morris University. The team played its home games at the Clearview Arena, located at the RMU Island Sports Center in Neville Township, Pennsylvania, United States. The Colonials were a member of the Atlantic Hockey Conference. Until the 2009–10 season, the Colonials were a member of College Hockey America.
The 2010 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played on March 12 and March 13, 2010 at Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, New York. The winner received College Hockey America's automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. Alabama–Huntsville defeated hosts Niagara, 3–2, in overtime to win their second CHA Tournament title.
Nathan Thomas Longpre is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for SønderjyskE Ishockey in the Metal Ligaen. He has previously played in the American Hockey League for the Worcester Sharks, Chicago Wolves, Springfield Falcons and the Peoria Rivermen.
The CHA Most Valuable Player in Tournament was an annual award given out at the conclusion of the College Hockey America conference tournament to the best player in the championship as voted by the coaches of each CHA team.
The 2018–19 Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey season was the 51st season of play for the program and the 13th season in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Falcons represented the United States Air Force Academy and were coached by Frank Serratore, in his 22nd season.