OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (October 12, 2023) – Midwest College Hockey (“MCH”) announces that the University of Illinois (Champaign, IL) has been admitted as a member of the MCH beginning with the 2024-2025 season.
The University of Illinois is one of the most storied programs playing in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (“ACHA”) Men’s Division 1. The Fighting Illini have been twice won the ACHA Men’s Division 1 National Championship, winning the Murdoch Cup at the conclusion of the 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 seasons. Illinois went undefeated on their way to the 2007-2008 title with an incredible record of 38 wins, no losses, and no ties. That undefeated season also led the Fighting Illini to a remarkable run of 48 straight wins between September 27, 2007 through October 25, 2008. In addition to the two ACHA M1 National Championships, Illinois has also played in the ACHA M1 National Championship Game another two times, most recently in 2018.
“The University of Illinois is excited to join Midwest College Hockey,” said University of Illinois Hockey Head Coach John Opilka. “We feel the MCH allows our players the chance to compete at the highest level in the best league in the country. We would like to thank MCH Commissioner Chris Perry for his support in this process.”
MCH coaches unanimously approved the addition of Illinois as a MCH member institution. Illinois will begin play in the MCH in 2-24-2025 with eight other MCH member teams: 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 Illinois and Iowa State for the 2024-2025 season, MCH teams will be split into two divisions for scheduling purposes. Illinois, Illinois State, Iowa State, McKendree, and Northern Illinois will comprise one division while Jamestown, Mary, Midland, and Waldorf will be in the other division.
All MCH teams are expected to play a 20-game regular season conference schedule. 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 MCH Playoff Tournament format will see two games on Day 1 (3 vs 6, 4 vs 5), two games on Day 2 (1 vs lowest seeded Day 1 winner, 2 vs highest seeded Day 1 winner) and a Championship game on Day 3. 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.
