Six Midwest Programs Unite to Launch Mid-America Hockey Conference
Six American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men’s Division I programs are proud to announce the formation of the Mid-America Hockey Conference (MAHC), with conference play beginning in the 2027–28 season.
The MAHC will feature six founding members:
- Drury University — Springfield, Missouri
- Illinois State University — Normal, Illinois
- Maryville University — St. Louis, Missouri
- McKendree University — Lebanon, Illinois
- Midland University — Fremont, Nebraska
- University of Illinois — Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
The conference brings together programs committed to strengthening ACHA Men’s Division I hockey throughout the Midwest. With the farthest trip between member schools approximately seven hours, the MAHC’s regional footprint will help limit travel time and costs while building rivalries.
The founding members have agreed to maintain a six-team conference for the first three seasons, focusing on building a strong foundation together and supporting the long-term stability and success of all six programs.
Each member will play a 20-game conference schedule, facing every opponent four times through a home and away series. The season will conclude with an annual conference championship tournament.
In ACHA Men’s Division I, conferences with six or more members receive an automatic bid to the National Championships. As a new conference, the MAHC will become eligible for that bid in its second season, 2028–29. The automatic bid will be awarded to the conference tournament champion.
Illinois State head coach Chris Prewitt will serve as conference coordinator for the inaugural season.
Additional information, including the inaugural schedule, championship tournament details, and conference media platforms, will be announced in the coming months.
