MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY TO JOIN MIDWEST COLLEGE HOCKEY IN 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (November 14, 2023) – Midwest College Hockey (“MCH”) announces that Minot State University (Minot, ND) has been admitted as a member of the MCH beginning with the 2024-2025 season.
Minot State University is one of the top Men’s Division 1 programs in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (“ACHA”) and the current defending National Champion. The Beavers have won the ACHA Men’s Division 1 National Championship three times, with their first title coming in 2012-2013 season and winning the Murdoch Cup again in the 2018-2019 and 2023-2023 seasons. Minot State also played in the 2020-2021 ACHA M1 National Championship Game.
“While being an independent team has had its advantages, there is nothing like having the opportunity to also compete for a conference championship,” said Kevin Forde, Director of Athletics at Minot State University. “This move will give our student-athletes another championship experience that previously only happened at the national championships. This will also allow our outstanding fan base to develop deeper rivals with the other teams in the MCH.”
“We are proud to be joining a top-notch conference within the ACHA,” said Minot State University Head Coach Wyatt Waselenchuk. “With the overall quality of the MCH and having the chance to compete for a conference championship, we felt it was a great time for us to join.”
”Joining the MCH puts an emphasis on every single game, and the ability to now strengthen our schedule to an even greater level – is a huge bonus for us,” continued Waselenchuk. “We are thankful for all the teams that supported our move to the MCH.”
MCH coaches unanimously approved the addition of Minot State as a MCH member institution. Minot State will be joining nine MCH member teams in 2024-2025: University of Illinois (Champaign, IL), Illinois State University (Normal, IL), Iowa State University (Ames, IA) Jamestown University (Jamestown, ND), University of Mary (Bismarck, ND), McKendree University (Lebanon, IL), Midland University (Fremont, NE), Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL), and Waldorf University (Forest City, IA).
With the addition of Minot State, MCH teams will be split into two five-team divisions for scheduling purposes. Illinois, Illinois State, Iowa State, McKendree and Northern Illinois will comprise one division while Jamestown, Mary, Midland, Minot State and Waldorf will be in the other division.
All MCH teams are expected to play a 20-game regular season conference schedule. Each MCH team will play a home-and-home series against the teams in its division and will also have one home series and one road series against teams from the other division. The MCH Regular Season Champion will be determined on a points basis.
The MCH Playoff Tournament is held at the conclusion of the MCH regular season in late February/early March. The winner of the MCH Playoff Tournament will be awarded the MCH’s autobid to the ACHA Men’s Division 1 National Championships presented by FloHockey.
Follow the MCH online at www.twitter.com/MidwestCHockey.
###
Media Contact:
Christopher Perry, MCH Commissioner
Phone: (405) 488-4048
Email: MCHCommish@gmail.com
