The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) competes at the highest level in the world of college hockey and is one of six Division I men's ice hockey conferences in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It is regarded as one of the top player development leagues in the world for the National Hockey League (NHL).

For more than 100 years, college hockey has been a breeding ground for outstanding hockey players and people. Today college hockey players make a bigger impact in the NHL than ever before, with more than 30% of the league coming from the U.S. college ranks.

Additionally, players are provided with the best hockey equipment available at no cost to the player including: sticks, skates, shin pads, pants, gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, neck guard, helmet. goalie pads, goalie glove and blocker, goalie chest protector, goalie pants, goalie helmet, goalie sticks and all performance wear.
 

There are a number of reasons to consider the college hockey path:

• NHL Opportunities: From Cale Makar to Johnny Gaudreau, college hockey consistently produces NHL stars and its presence in the league continues to grow.
• Player Development: With its style of play, emphasis on practice and opportunity for strength and conditioning, college hockey provides an unparalleled environment for player development.
• Education: Some of the finest institutions in the world offer college hockey, providing young players exposure to elite educational programs while pursuing their hockey careers. Division I men's hockey players have a 92% graduation rate, among the best of all Division I men's sports - and invaluable in today's working world.
• Student Life: The off-ice experience of life on campus, surrounded by fellow students in a supportive environment, is unmatched and often considered the best time of a person's life.
• Special Events: Holiday tournaments, conference championships, outdoor games, the Beanpot and the NCAA Frozen Four provide college hockey players the opportunity to play in intense, high-profile special events.
• History: With traditions unique to each school and a history that traces back to the 1800s, today's college hockey players carry on a proud legacy.

 

Every Friday and Saturday night during the college hockey season, teams play in college arenas full of hyped-up fellow students, friends, family members and fans. Thousands of fans sing their school fight song after every goal. School spirit creates an atmosphere not experienced anywhere else in the world.

Those are memories college hockey players carry into their NHL careers and beyond. And all terrific reasons to play college hockey.

The CCHA consists of nine member teams, including four in the state of Michigan, three in Minnesota, one in Ohio and one in South Dakota.

Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Tech University and Northern Michigan University are the four Michigan schools. Bemidji State University, Minnesota State University and the University of St. Thomas are the three Minnesota schools while Bowling Green State University is located in Ohio and the newest member, Augustana University is in South Dakota.

The CCHA first existed for 43 years from 1971-2013. On February 18, 2020, the CCHA and its member institutions announced it would return to action for the 2021-22 season. 

There have been seven CCHA teams that have won the NCAA National Championship, consisting of Bowling Green (1984), Michigan State (1986), Lake Superior State (1988, 1992, 1994) and Michigan (1996 & 1998).

The CCHA is led by Commissioner Don Lucia, one of the most successful coaches in college hockey history. Lucia's head coaching tenure included stints at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Colorado College, and the University of Minnesota where he was the Golden Gophers' winningest coach in program history. At the helm of the Golden Gophers bench, Lucia won two national championships (2002 and 2003) while appearing in five NCAA Frozen Four tournaments. He also led his CC Tigers to an NCAA runner-up finish in 1996 and an appearance in the 1997 NCAA Frozen Four semifinals.