Western Collegiate Hockey Association men's champions

Last updated

The following is a list of men's champions of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association , including champions of the conference's playoff tournament, the WCHA Final Five.

Contents

Championships by season

SeasonRegular season championTournament championNCAA national championNotes
1951–52Colorado CollegeMichiganMidwest Collegiate Hockey League play begins with Colorado College, Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota and North Dakota; first season the MacNaughton Cup is awarded to regular season champion
1952–53Minnesota
Michigan
Michigan
1953–54MinnesotaLeague name changed to the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League
1954–55Colorado CollegeMichigan
1955–56MichiganMichigan
1956–57Colorado CollegeColorado College
1957–58North Dakota
Denver
Denver
1958–59North DakotaNo league play because Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State and Michigan Tech withdraw from the WIHL due to disagreement over the recruiting practices of University of North Dakota, Denver, and Colorado College.
1959–60DenverDenver
Michigan Tech
Denver Western Collegiate Hockey Association founded; tournament play begins
1960–61DenverDenver
Minnesota
Denver
1961–62Michigan TechMichigan TechMichigan TechThe WCHA begins awarding the MacNaughton Cup to the conference's tournament champion
1962–63Denver
North Dakota
DenverNorth Dakota
1963–64Michigan
Denver
DenverMichigan
1964–65North DakotaMichigan TechMichigan Tech
1965–66Michigan TechDenver
Michigan State
Michigan StateThe WCHA decides to once again award the MacNaughton Cup to the regular season champion
1966–67North DakotaMichigan State
North Dakota
Minnesota-Duluth joins the WCHA
1967–68DenverDenver
North Dakota
Denver
1968–69Michigan TechDenver
Michigan Tech
Denver
1969–70MinnesotaMichigan Tech
Wisconsin
Wisconsin joins the WCHA
1970–71Michigan TechDenver
Minnesota
1971–72DenverDenver
Wisconsin
Notre Dame joins the WCHA
1972–73DenverDenver
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
1973–74Michigan TechMichigan Tech
Minnesota
Minnesota
1974–75MinnesotaMichigan Tech
Minnesota
Michigan Tech
1975–76Michigan TechMichigan Tech
Minnesota
Minnesota
1976–77WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin
1977–78DenverColorado College
Wisconsin
1978–79North DakotaMinnesota
North Dakota
Minnesota
1979–80North DakotaMinnesota
North Dakota
North DakotaPlan to split the conference into two divisions is rejected
1980–81MinnesotaMichigan Tech
Minnesota
Wisconsin
1981–82North DakotaWisconsinNorth DakotaMichigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech and Notre Dame leave conference for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association; the Broadmoor Trophy replaces the MacNaughton Cup as the trophy for the regular season champion
1982–83MinnesotaWisconsinWisconsin
1983–84Minnesota-DuluthMinnesota-Duluth
1984–85Minnesota-DuluthMinnesota-DuluthMichigan Tech rejoins the WCHA and brings the MacNaughton Cup back to the conference; Northern Michigan joins the WCHA; interlocking schedule with Hockey East begins (interconference games counted in conference standings); first season the Broadmoor Trophy awarded to the tournament champion
1985–86DenverDenver
1986–87North DakotaNorth DakotaNorth Dakota
1987–88MinnesotaWisconsinTournament changed to a single-site four team format
1988–89MinnesotaNorthern MichiganLast season of interlocking schedule with Hockey East
1989–90WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin
1990–91Northern MichiganNorthern MichiganNorthern Michigan St. Cloud State joins the WCHA
1991–92MinnesotaNorthern Michigan
1992–93Minnesota-DuluthMinnesotaTournament changed to five team format and renamed the Final Five
1993–94Colorado CollegeMinnesota Alaska-Anchorage joins the WCHA
1994–95Colorado CollegeWisconsin
1995–96Colorado CollegeMinnesota
1996–97Minnesota
North Dakota
North DakotaNorth Dakota
1997–98North DakotaWisconsinNorthern Michigan leaves the conference for the CCHA; Mankato State (now Minnesota State-Mankato) participates in the WCHA tournament
1998–99North DakotaDenver
1999–00WisconsinNorth DakotaNorth DakotaMinnesota State joins the WCHA
2000–01North DakotaSt. Cloud State
2001–02DenverDenverMinnesota
2002–03Colorado CollegeMinnesotaMinnesota
2003–04North DakotaMinnesotaDenver
2004–05Colorado College
Denver
DenverDenver
2005–06MinnesotaNorth DakotaWisconsin
2006–07MinnesotaMinnesota
2007–08Colorado CollegeDenver
2008–09North DakotaMinnesota-Duluth
2009–10DenverNorth Dakota
2010–11North DakotaNorth DakotaMinnesota-Duluth Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha join the WCHA
2011–12MinnesotaNorth Dakota
2012–13St. Cloud State
Minnesota
WisconsinFinal WCHA season for Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota, and St. Cloud State (all leaving for NCHC in 2013-2014) as well as Minnesota and Wisconsin (both leaving for Big Ten Conference)
2013–14Ferris StateMinnesota State Northern Michigan rejoins WCHA; first WCHA season for Alabama-Huntsville, Alaska-Fairbanks, Bowling Green, Ferris State, and Lake Superior State
2014–15Minnesota StateMinnesota State
2015–16Minnesota State
Michigan Tech
Ferris State
2016–17Bemidji StateMichigan Tech
2017–18Minnesota StateMichigan Tech
2018–19Minnesota StateMinnesota State
2019–20Minnesota StateTournament cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
2020–21Minnesota StateLake Superior StateAt the conclusion of the season, 8 teams withdrew from the conference (Alabama–Huntsville, Bemidji State, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State, Northern Michigan). The remaining two programs, Alaska and Alaska Anchorage, formally suspended the men's division of the WCHA.

Championships by school

SchoolWCHA
regular season
championships
WCHA
tournament
championships
NCAA national
championships
Last WCHA
regular season
championship
Last WCHA
tournament
championship
Last
NCAA national
championship
Alabama–Huntsville 000
Alaska 000
Alaska–Anchorage 000
Bemidji State 1002017
Bowling Green 001 1984
Colorado College 9122008 1978 1957
Denver 131582010 2008 2022
Ferris State 1102014
Lake Superior State 013 2021 1994
Michigan 3091964 1998
Michigan State 023 1967 2007
Michigan Tech 71132016 2018 1975
Minnesota 141452013 2007 2003
Minnesota–Duluth 3321993 2009 2019
Minnesota State 5302021 2019
Nebraska–Omaha 000
North Dakota 151172011 2012 2016
Northern Michigan 1311991 1992 1991
Notre Dame 000
St. Cloud State 1102013 2001
Wisconsin 31262000 2013 2006

Colorado College won its first NCAA national championship in 1950 prior to the founding of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey League. Likewise, Michigan won its 1948 title prior to the start of league play. North Dakota won a national title in 1959 as an independent. The Wolverines won two additional national championships in 1996 and 1998 after leaving the WCHA for the CCHA. Michigan State also won its 1986 and 2007 national championships after leaving the WCHA. Two of the five schools that made their WCHA debuts in 2013, Bowling Green and Lake Superior State, won all of their national championships while in the CCHA (one for Bowling Green in 1984, and three for Lake Superior State in 1988, 1992, and 1994).

Location of men's WCHA tournaments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xcel Energy Center</span> Multi-purpose arena in St. Paul, Minnesota

Xcel Energy Center is a multipurpose arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Completed in 2000 and often called "The X" by fans, it is named for its locally based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. With an official capacity of 17,954, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three for general seating. The building is home to the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Frost of the PWHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Collegiate Hockey Association</span> US college ice hockey conference

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) is a college athletic conference in the Midwestern United States that participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The current CCHA began play in the 2021–22 season; a previous incarnation, which the current CCHA recognizes as part of its history, existed from 1971 to 2013. Four of its nine members are located in the state of Michigan, with three in Minnesota and one each in Ohio and South Dakota. It has also had teams located in Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Nebraska over the course of its existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Collegiate Hockey Association</span> College athletic conference in the Midwestern United States

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) is a college ice hockey conference which operates in the Midwestern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a women's-only conference.

The St. Paul Civic Center was an indoor arena located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The arena opened in 1973 and was closed and demolished in 1998. It once sat near the Ordway Music Theater and the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. The Xcel Energy Center was built on the former site of the arena.

Rick Comley is a former collegiate ice hockey player and former head coach at Michigan State University. He finished his 38-year coaching career with a 783–615–110 (.556) record. In 2007, he became the third coach in NCAA history to win a national championship at two different schools. Comley is currently serving in his second stint as the athletic director at Northern Michigan University, hired in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament</span> Collegiate ice hockey tournament

The 2007 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament involved 16 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey as the culmination of the 2006–07 season. The tournament began on March 23, 2007, and ended with the championship game on April 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament</span> Collegiate ice hockey tournament

The 2009 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament involved 16 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey as the culmination of the 2008–09 season. The tournament began on March 27, 2009, and ended with the championship game on April 11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament</span> Collegiate ice hockey tournament

The 2012 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament involved sixteen schools in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey for the 2011–12 season. The tournament began on March 23, 2012, with regional semifinals and ended on April 7 with the national championship game. The Boston College Eagles won their third national championship in five years, beating the Ferris State Bulldogs, 4–1, in the championship game. BC won nineteen consecutive games to end the season. It is the fifth title for both the program and head coach Jerry York – York previously coached Bowling Green to a championship in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament</span> Collegiate ice hockey tournament

The 2005 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament involved 16 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey. It began on March 25, 2005, and ended with the championship game on April 9. A total of 15 games were played.

Sports in Minnesota include professional teams in all major sports, Olympic Games contenders and medalists, especially in the Winter Olympics, collegiate teams in major and small-school conferences and associations and active amateur teams and individual sports. The State of Minnesota has a team in all five major professional leagues. Along with professional sports, there are numerous collegiate teams including the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and St. Thomas Tommies in NCAA Division I, as well as many others across the Minnesota public and private colleges and universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament</span> Collegiate ice hockey tournament

The 2002 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament involved 12 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 WCHA men's ice hockey tournament</span> College ice hockey tournament

The 2008 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 14 and March 22, 2008 at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Denver was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 WCHA men's ice hockey tournament</span> College ice hockey tournament

The 2003 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 44th conference playoff in league history and 49th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2003 tournament was played between March 14 and March 22, 2003, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Minnesota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bowling Green Falcons men's ice hockey</span> Ice hockey team

The Bowling Green Falcons ice hockey team is the ice hockey team that represents Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school's team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Falcons last played in the NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament in 2019. The Falcons have won one NCAA Division I championship, coming in 1984, defeating the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in the longest championship game in the tournament's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey</span> Mens ice hockey team

The Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Lake Superior State University. The Lakers are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). They play at the Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey</span> College ice hockey team

The Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Northern Michigan University (NMU). The Wildcats are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). NMU has won one national title and has made three Frozen Four appearances. They play at the Berry Events Center in Marquette, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omaha Mavericks men's ice hockey</span> College ice hockey team

The Omaha Mavericks men's ice hockey team, also called the Nebraska Omaha Mavericks and UNO Mavericks, is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Nebraska Omaha. The Mavericks are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). They play home games at Baxter Arena, an on-campus facility that opened in 2015. The Mavericks hockey program was started in 1997; the team has qualified for the NCAA tournament on four occasions, in 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2021. During the 2015 tournament, the team made their first appearance in the tournament semifinals, branded by the NCAA as the Frozen Four. The Mavericks competed in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) between 1999 and 2010 before joining the WCHA for the 2010–11 season. The Mavericks joined the National Collegiate Hockey Conference starting in the 2013–14 season along with fellow charter members Colorado College, the University of Denver, Miami University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and the University of North Dakota, plus invited founding members St. Cloud State University and Western Michigan University.

The 2006 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 47th conference playoff in league history and 52nd season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2006 tournament played between March 10 and March 18, 2006 at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, North Dakota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament.

The 2001 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 42nd conference playoff in league history and 48th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2001 tournament was played between March 9 and March 17, 2001, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, the home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild. By winning the tournament, St. Cloud State was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament. This was the inaugural year in which the Xcel Energy Center hosted the WCHA final five and it remained there until the conclusion of the 2013 tournament.

References