14 Schools•Division I•Est. 2024
Atlantic Hockey America was formed by the merger of the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America and began play in 2024. It is the rare Division I conference built for both a men's league and a women's league, fielding 16 programs across 14 institutions and spanning seven states, reaching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. The office sits in Boston, and Michelle Morgan serves as commissioner.
The roots run deeper than the name. The men's side traces to 1997 and reorganized as Atlantic Hockey in 2003, while the women's side began as College Hockey America in 2002. Both leagues send their postseason champion straight to the NCAA Tournament.
The national stage has produced signature moments. Holy Cross knocked off the tournament's top overall seed in 2006, Air Force blanked Michigan in 2009, and RIT reached the Frozen Four in 2010. On the women's side, Mercyhurst opened the league's national era with 10 consecutive NCAA appearances, four Frozen Fours and a trip to the championship game in 2009. Penn State reached its first Frozen Four in 2026 on home ice at Pegula Ice Arena, and Nittany Lions coach Jeff Kampersal was named national coach of the year that spring.
Individual honors have followed. Mercyhurst's Vicki Bendus won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, teammate Meghan Agosta finished among the top three finalists in all four of her collegiate seasons, and league players have earned All America recognition on both sides.
Alumni skate on in the NHL, in professional leagues worldwide and at the Winter Olympics, where league representation now includes gold.
Official Website
Atlantic Hockey America was formed by the merger of the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America and began play in 2024. It is the rare Division I conference built for both a men's league and a women's league, fielding 16 programs across 14 institutions and spanning seven states, reaching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. The office sits in Boston, and Michelle Morgan serves as commissioner.
The roots run deeper than the name. The men's side traces to 1997 and reorganized as Atlantic Hockey in 2003, while the women's side began as College Hockey America in 2002. Both leagues send their postseason champion straight to the NCAA Tournament.
The national stage has produced signature moments. Holy Cross knocked off the tournament's top overall seed in 2006, Air Force blanked Michigan in 2009, and RIT reached the Frozen Four in 2010. On the women's side, Mercyhurst opened the league's national era with 10 consecutive NCAA appearances, four Frozen Fours and a trip to the championship game in 2009. Penn State reached its first Frozen Four in 2026 on home ice at Pegula Ice Arena, and Nittany Lions coach Jeff Kampersal was named national coach of the year that spring.
Individual honors have followed. Mercyhurst's Vicki Bendus won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, teammate Meghan Agosta finished among the top three finalists in all four of her collegiate seasons, and league players have earned All America recognition on both sides.
Alumni skate on in the NHL, in professional leagues worldwide and at the Winter Olympics, where league representation now includes gold.
Official Website