Atlantic Hockey America

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]

Atlantic Hockey America
FormerlyMAAC (Men) (1997–2003)
Atlantic Hockey (Men) (2003–24)
College Hockey America (Women) (2002–24)
AssociationNCAA
FoundedMen: 1997 (as MAAC)
Women: 2002 (as CHA)
First season2024–25
CommissionerMichelle Morgan (since 2024)
Sports fielded
DivisionDivision I
No. of teams11: Men's
6: Women's
HeadquartersBoston, Massachusetts
RegionNortheastern United States, Colorado and Missouri
Official websiteatlantichockeyonline.com
Locations

History

In 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]

Membership

Three 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.[6]

Current

Conference affiliations are current for the first season of the merged AHA in 2024–25.

Institution Location Nickname Founded Affiliation Enrollment Joined Men's Women's Primary Conference Colors
United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy, Colorado[lower-alpha 1]Falcons1954Public/Federal4,4002024YNMountain West   
American International CollegeSpringfield, MassachusettsYellow Jackets1885Private/Non-sectarian1,7002024YNNortheast-10 (D-II)     
United States Military AcademyWest Point, New YorkBlack Knights1802Public/Federal4,4002024YNPatriot League     
Bentley UniversityWaltham, MassachusettsFalcons1917Private/Non-sectarian3,9582024YNNortheast-10 (D-II)   
Canisius UniversityBuffalo, New YorkGolden Griffins1870Private/Catholic3,4902024YNMAAC   
College of the Holy CrossWorcester, MassachusettsCrusaders1843Private/Catholic2,8972024YHockey EastPatriot League 
Lindenwood UniversitySt. Charles, MissouriLions1827Private/Presbyterian12,2132024IndependentYOVC   
Mercyhurst UniversityErie, PennsylvaniaLakers1926Private/Catholic4,0552024YYNEC   
Niagara UniversityLewiston, New York[lower-alpha 2]Purple Eagles1856Private/Catholic3,8532024YNMAAC   
Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, Pennsylvania[lower-alpha 3]Nittany Lions1855Public/State-related44,8172024Big TenYBig Ten   
Robert Morris UniversityMoon Township, PennsylvaniaColonials1921Private/Non-sectarian4,0052024YYHorizon     
Rochester Institute of TechnologyHenrietta, New York[lower-alpha 4]Tigers1829Private/Non-sectarian16,8422024YYLiberty League (D-III)     
Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield, ConnecticutPioneers1963Private/Catholic5,4282024YNEWHAMAAC   
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, New YorkOrange1870Private/Non-sectarian19,0822024NYACC 
  1. 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".
  2. Mailing address is "Niagara University".
  3. 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.
  4. Mailing address is Rochester.

Future

Primary conference affiliation is current for the first season of AHA play.

Institution Location Nickname Founded Affiliation Enrollment Joining Men's Women's Primary Conference[lower-alpha 1] Colors
University of DelawareNewark, DelawareFightin' Blue Hens1743Public[lower-alpha 2]23,2812025NYCUSA   
  1. As of the date of joining AHA.
  2. 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
American International
Army
Bentley
Canisius
Holy Cross
Mercyhurst
Niagara
Penn State
RIT
Robert Morris
Sacred Heart
Syracuse
Delaware
Location of teams in the Northeast
full
future

  Men     Women     Both  

Conference arenas

See also

References
  1. "Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America to Merge Operations in 2024". Atlantic Hockey Association. June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  2. "Atlantic Hockey, CHA women will combine as Atlantic Hockey America for 2024-25 season". USCHO. April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  3. Shaver, Wally. "News and notes from the 2008 NCAA Men's Frozen Four". Retrieved 2010-01-28.
  4. "Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America to Merge Operations in 2024". Atlantic Hockey Association. June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  5. "University of Delaware to Join College Hockey America for 2025-26 Season" (Press release). College Hockey America. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  6. "Niagara University Announces Restructuring Of Athletics Programs". Niagara University. March 19, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
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