Adrian, MI – The College of St. Scholastica informed the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association that its men’s and women’s teams will leave the conference after the upcoming 2020-21 season. The men’s program joined the original NCHA in 1983; the women’s team joined in 2010.
St. Scholastica’s application to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was approved by MIAC presidents and the Saints will begin play in the 2021-22 season.
NCHA Commissioner Don Olson issued the following statement:
“The College of St. Scholastica’s men’s and women’s hockey programs have been an outstanding, long term members of the NCHA and have added greatly to the competitive balance and the national reputation of the conference. St. Scholastica’s decision to leave the NCHA is disappointing but, understandably, in the college’s best interest. With their move to the MIAC, their new multi-sport conference includes men’s and women’s hockey among the roster of sports sponsored. In wishing St. Scholastica great success, the NCHA remains optimistic in the long term future because of our 10 outstanding member institutions and their commitment to the sport and the conference.”
The departure of St. Scholastica will bring the men’s conference to ten teams and the women’s conference to nine for the 2021-22 season, barring any other changes to conference membership.
The upcoming season will be the St. Scholastica men’s 35th under the NCHA conference name. The Saints played 27 seasons in the original NCHA and enter their eighth since the departure of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools.
The most memorable season in the NCHA for the men’s team came in 2008-09 when the Saints won 20 games and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCHA was incredibly competitive with top-ranked teams that year and St. Scholastica was one of three conference teams earning tournament bids. The Saints lost a one-goal game at UW-Stout in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
The 2020-21 campaign will be the St. Scholastica women’s 11th overall and in the NCHA. The Saints have reached the NCHA Slaats Cup championship game the past two seasons, coming an overtime goal away from the NCAA Tournament two years ago.
Preparation continues by the NCHA and member schools for the 2020-21 season, slated to begin this October. The women’s program at Lawrence University is readying for its inaugural season, bringing the women’s conference to ten teams.
*Information courtesy of an NCHA press release. Photo from Adrian College/AC Athletics*