About the ACDC – American Collegiate Development Conference
The American Collegiate Development Conference (ACDC) is the newest tier of collegiate hockey under the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) — the national governing body for non-NCAA men’s and women’s college hockey in the United States.
Created as an association-wide initiative, the ACDC provides a development-focused environment for new and transitioning programs that are building the foundation for long-term success in collegiate hockey.
Purpose
The ACDC was established to:
- Offer a structured entry point for new college hockey programs still developing their operations.
- Provide a stable home for existing programs impacted by the instability of other non-NCAA hockey leagues.
- Support the ACHA’s mission of growing college hockey nationwide in partnership with USA Hockey.
Key Features
- Governed by the ACHA: The ACDC operates under ACHA Bylaws and Policies.
- Men’s & Women’s Components: The ACDC includes separate divisions for men's and women's programs.
- Developmental Focus: Designed to support team-building in areas like:
- Recruiting and retention
- Player and coach development
- Budgeting and travel logistics
- Flexible Structure:
- ACDC Men's teams generally follow Men’s Division III operational policies.
- ACDC Women's teams generally follow Women’s Division II policies.
- (Some exceptions apply.)
Membership Details
- Annual Dues: $1,100 per team, per season
(Includes USA Hockey registration, membership, insurance, and ACHA oversight) - No Postseason or International Eligibility:
- ACDC teams do not participate in ACHA national tournaments.
- Players are not eligible for ACHA international team selection.
A Message from ACHA Executive Director, Craig Barnett
“By establishing the ACDC, we position the ACHA as a truly comprehensive, full-service non-NCAA college hockey association—capable of meeting the diverse needs of institutions and student-athletes at all stages of their program development.”
Summary
The ACDC plays a vital role in the future of collegiate hockey, offering a flexible and supportive path for teams to grow competitively and operationally within the proven structure of the ACHA.
Press Release on ACDC (July 22, 2025)
