University of Mary to join Midwest College Hockey in 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 25, 2022) – Midwest College Hockey (“MCH”) announces that the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND) has been admitted as a member of the MCH beginning with the 2023-2024 season.

 

The Marauders are a dominant force in American Collegiate Hockey Association Men’s Division 2 and are currently the ACHA M2 National Champion, after winning the title in an epic 3-2 triple overtime victory.  UMary finished the 2021-2022 season with a record of 38-4-1-2 (W-L-OTL-T), finishing the season on a 20-game winning streak.

 

The Marauders’ National Championship was the second straight for a program in just their fourth season.  Ineligible to compete for a championship in the team’s inaugural year in 2018-19 and denied the opportunity in 2019-20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UMary Head Coach Dan Huntley has guided the Marauders to a National Championship both times the team was allowed to compete for the title.

 

In December 2021, the ACHA approved the Marauders’ application to move up to Men’s Division 1 beginning the 2023-24 season.  UMary will be joining six MCH member teams:  Illinois State University (Normal, Ill.), Jamestown University (Jamestown, ND), McKendree University (Lebanon, Ill.), Midland University (Fremont, Neb.), Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, Ill.), and Waldorf University (Forest City, Iowa).

 

“The University of Mary is extremely excited to gain admittance to Midwest College Hockey for the 2023-24 season as we make the jump to the ACHA Division 1 level,” said Interim Director of Athletics and Head Hockey Coach Dan Huntley.  “We would like to thank MCH Commissioner Chris Perry for his leadership and guidance along the way.  Our scholar-athletes are excited to have the opportunity to immediately compete for a conference championship and an autobid to the national tournament in our inaugural ACHA M1 season and for the chance to earn individual conference awards.  We think we have prepared our program, developed a culture for success and gained a reputation as a nationally competitive program during our 5-year ACHA M2 era.  We thank the membership of the MCH for this opportunity and look forward to competing against the member institutions.”

 

Huntley added, “As we prepare to pursue a third consecutive ACHA Men’s Division 2 national championship this upcoming spring in Boston, we must also thank the ACHA M2 members who we have competed against and developed great relationships with since we first took to the ice for the 2018-19 season.  It has been a great ride at the M2 level for our team, our scholar-athletes, and for our community.”

 

All MCH teams are expected to play a 20-game regular season conference schedule and 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.  Starting with the 2022-2023 season, the winner of the MCH Playoff Tournament will be awarded the MCH’s autobid to the ACHA Men’s Division 1 National Championships.

 

Follow the MCH online at www.twitter.com/MidwestCHockey.