History of the North Central Collegiate Hockey Association (NCCHA)
Started in the spring of 2008, the NCCHA held its first season of play during the 2008/2009 hockey season. In its first year, the NCCHA began with 12 teams, 10 of which finished out the season. Teams in the Eastern conference included Creighton University, Dordt College, Iowa State University, South Dakota State University, University of Kansas, and the University of South Dakota. The United States Air Force Academy, Colorado College, Mesa State College, University of Colorado, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, and the University of Wyoming concluded the Western conference. Before the seasons end, Kansas and UCCS would fold. That season University of Colorado and Dordt College were the respective divisional champs, with Dordt College taking home the Trailblazer Trophy as league champions following the post season tournament.
Prior to the establishment of the NCCHA, the teams located in the Colorado and Wyoming area had played as independent members of the ACHA Division III. Both Colorado and Wyoming had been successful on the National stage. Colorado was National Champion in the 04/05 season, while Wyoming was the National Runner-Up in 01/02, and National Champion in 00/01.
Teams located in the Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota region had previously been members of the Great Plains Collegiate Hockey Association (GPCHA) established in 1994/1995. Led by Commissioner Perry Comito, and Seceretary/Treasurer Marty Schipull, the GPCHA saw a successful run of 13 seasons. During that time, the League Champions were as follows:
After the GPCHA dissolved at the end of the 06/07 season, the decision was made to continue playing for the former GPCHA trophy amongst the teams in the region, during that season of independent play Dordt College won the Mike “Doc” Davies Cup.
1994-95 Drake University |
In the Spring of 2008, led by Nate van Niejenhuis who was at that time coach at Dordt College, contacts began being made to determine interest in a new league, which would incorporate the independent teams from the Colorado and Wyoming area, along with those teams in the former GPCHA. The response was positive, and the result is the league structure you see today.
Enjoying great competition, a reasonable travel schedule, and the opportunity to see parts of the US teams wouldn’t normally travel to, while competing against teams not before on the regular schedule have been wonderful additions to this portion of the ACHA DIII Pacific Region.
