Western Collegiate Hockey League, LLC

BRONCHOS PICKED TO FINISH FIRST IN

WCHL PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 12, 2015 – The defending ACHA D1 National Champion, the University of Central Oklahoma, has been selected by the Western Collegiate Hockey League coaches as the preseason favorite to win the WCHL in 2015-2016.

The Bronchos enter the 2015-2016 season ranked #1 according to the ACHA D1 Preseason Coaches’ Ranking released a few days ago.  In this season’s WCHL Preseason Coaches’ Poll, UCO received 47 of 49 possible points and was selected by five WCHL head coaches to finish in first place.  The University of Colorado, coming off its first ACHA D1 post-season appearance last year, finished second in the WCHL balloting and received one first place vote.

The University of Oklahoma finished third in the poll with 33 points.  Colorado State University was close behind in fourth place and received a first place vote.  The University of Arizona finished fifth in the poll with 21 points.  Missouri State University, playing its first season in ACHA D1 and the WCHL, came in at the sixth spot.  The University of Arkansas, another newcomer this season to ACHA D1 and the WCHL, finished seventh in the poll.

Rank, Team                                Points

1. CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (5)          47

2. COLORADO (1)                        40

3. OKLAHOMA                             33

4. COLORADO STATE (1)               28

5. ARIZONA                                21

6. MISSOURI STATE                     16

7. ARKANSAS                              11

(First Place votes in parentheses)

Follow the WCHL on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WesternCHL, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WesternCHL and online at www.WesternCHL.com.

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Media Contact:

Chris Perry, WCHL Commissioner

Phone: (405) 488-4048

Fax: (405) 604-2704

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLORADO CALLS ON BALLARD

Boulder, CO - After an extensive search and much deliberation, the University of Colorado is pleased to announce that Eric Ballard will be the head ice hockey coach for the 2015-2016 season. Eric coached the University of Colorado during their first Division I campaign during the 2013-2014 year.    

“I am excited to get back to the University of Colorado and help build on what the previous coaching staff has done to make the Buffaloes a top 20 team in the ACHA,” Ballard said. “It will be a great season of hockey and I am thankful for the opportunity for the University of Colorado has given me.”  

Ballard takes over the Buffaloes after a successful season with their first ever appearance in the national tournament and finishing 16^th in the country. 

Ballard is familiar with the Buffaloes and is excited to build on the work that he started two years ago. During his first season as head coach, he worked to help make a name for the University in just their first year in Division I. Ballard will be coming in with a completely new team to work with and to help guide them to a long run in the National Tournament for years to come. 

For more information regarding Colorado Buffaloes hockey, visit cubuffshockey.org

Contact 

Bryan Hostetler 

Assistant Director, Intramurals and Club Sports 

Recreation Services | University of Colorado Boulder 

303-492-7244 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With the WCHL Regular Season concluded and ACHA D1 Nationals a few weeks away, the WCHL is pleased to announce the end of season awards for the 2014-2015 season.

The WCHL coaches were asked to submit nominations for each of the post-season awards.  For the WCHL All-League Team (First Team and Second Team) and All-Rookie Team, the coaches were permitted to vote for their own players; however, coaches were permitted to vote only one of their own players for First Team consideration, only one of their players for Second Team consideration and only one of their players for All-Rookie Team consideration.

Without further ado, the WCHL 2014-2015 Season Awards are:

WCHL ALL-LEAGUE FIRST TEAM

F-LIAM NORRIS, Arizona State University

F-BRYCE JOHNSON, University of Oklahoma*

F-SEAN MURPHY, Arizona State University

D-DREW NEWMEYER, Arizona State University

D-CONNOR SCHMIDT, Arizona State University

G-ROBERT LEVIN, Arizona State University*

WCHL ALL-LEAGUE SECOND TEAM

F-JORDAN GREENBERG, University of Oklahoma^

F-BRANDON FORMOSA, University of Central Oklahoma

F-RYAN BELONGER, Arizona State University

D-MATT PRIGGE, University of Central Oklahoma^

D-CORY RAMSEY, University of Oklahoma*

G-COLIN FERNANDES, University of Oklahoma

(*denotes 2013-2014 WCHL All-League First Team member)

(^denotes 2013-2014 WCHL All-League Second Team member)

WCHL COACH OF THE YEAR – CRAIG McALISTER, University of Central Oklahoma

WCHL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – LIAM NORRIS, Arizona State University

WCHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

F-THOMAS JARMAN, University of Colorado

F-BRANDON FORMOSA, University of Central Oklahoma

F-JAKE BAUER, University of Colorado

D-ED McGOVERN, Arizona State University

D-GIANNI MANGONE, Arizona State University

G-AUSTIN WILSON, University of Arizona

WCHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – BRANDON FORMOSA, University of Central Oklahoma

WCHL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD – JORDAN GREENBERG, University of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (January 12, 2015) - The Western Collegiate Hockey League (“WCHL”) announces that the Missouri State University (Springfield, MO) Ice Bears and the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR) Razorbacks have been admitted as members of the WCHL beginning with the 2015-2016 season.

Missouri State currently has two teams that play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (“ACHA”), one at the Division 2 level and another at the Division 3 level.  Arkansas presently plays in the ACHA’s Division 3.  Missouri State’s D2 program and Arkansas’ program recently applied and were granted admission to play at the ACHA Division 1 level, starting with the 2015-2016 season.  Missouri State and Arkansas have each expressed their intent to field teams at both the ACHA D1 and D3 levels next season.

After successfully gaining admission to ACHA D1, Missouri State and Arkansas applied for admission to the WCHL.  During the WCHL’s Winter Meeting on January 3, 2015, the applications of Missouri State and Arkansas were unanimously approved by the WCHL membership.

The WCHL is currently in its second season of play and is comprised of six charter member schools:  the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), the University of Central Oklahoma (Edmond, OK), the University of Colorado (Boulder, CO), Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) and the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK).  Five WCHL teams are presently ranked in the ACHA D1 Top 25:  No. 1 Arizona State, No. 2 Central Oklahoma, No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 20 Arizona and No. 22 Colorado with Colorado State lurking just outside the Top 25.

Arizona State University is the current ACHA D1 National Champion and the inaugural WCHL Champion.  On November 18, 2014, ASU announced that it was elevating its ACHA D1 program to NCAA D1 status in 2015-2016, which would have left the WCHL with five member schools for next season.  However, with the addition of Missouri State and Arkansas, the WCHL will now compete in 2015-2016 as a seven-team league.  WCHL teams will play an unbalanced league schedule next season, with each team having between 14 and 22 league games.

Follow the WCHL on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WesternCHL, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WesternCHL and online at www.WesternCHL.com.

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Media Contact:

Chris Perry, WCHL Commissioner

Phone: (405) 488-4048

Fax: (405) 604-2704

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SUN DEVILS PICKED TO FINISH FIRST IN

WCHL PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 20, 2014 – For the second consecutive season, the Arizona State University ice hockey team has been selected as the 2014-2015 preseason favorite in the Western Collegiate Hockey League according to the league's coaches.

Arizona State enters the season as the defending ACHA D1 National Champion and was the unanimous pick by the conference's six head coaches to finish in first place.  The University of Oklahoma, a National Semi-Finalist last season, finished second in the balloting while The University of Central Oklahoma, a National Quarter-Finalist last season, finished third in the poll.  Colorado State University and The University of Arizona tied for fourth place in the preseason poll with The University of Colorado slotted in at the sixth spot.

Rank, Team                             Points

1. ARIZONA STATE (6)      36

2. OKLAHOMA                   30

3. CENTRAL OKLAHOMA    20

T4. COLORADO STATE      15

T4. ARIZONA                    15

6. COLORADO                  10

(First Place votes in parentheses)

Follow the WCHL on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WesternCHL, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WesternCHL and online at www.WesternCHL.com.

###

Media Contact:

Chris Perry, WCHL Commissioner

Phone: (405) 488-4048

Fax: (405) 604-2704

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

July 22, 2014

For Immediate Release

Arizona Wildcat Hockey hires Chad Berman as Head Coach

Tucson, AZ – After an extensive national search, The University of Arizona Campus Recreation Department has hired Chad Berman to lead the Arizona Hockey program. Berman replaces Sean Hogan, who left Arizona for a new coaching opportunity after rebuilding the Wildcat Hockey program over the last three years.

"It's the right time to change the culture of Wildcat hockey,” said Berman. “We want to be an ultra-competitive hockey team that plays a fast brand of hockey with a relentless work ethic”. Berman comes to Tucson with extensive coaching experience in the ACHA. He served as the Assistant Head Coach at Robert Morris University-IL for the past eight seasons under Head Coach Tom “Chico” Adrahtas. Robert Morris ended a record setting 2013-2014 season ranked #2 after losing to Arizona State in the ACHA Division I finals. It was the highest ranking and first finals appearance in program history for Robert Morris.

Berman takes over a rejuvenated Arizona Hockey program that earned its first ACHA National Tournament appearance since 2006, captured the most regular season victories since 2008, and beat rival (and top-ranked) Arizona State for the first time in 37 contests.

Berman is familiar with the Arizona Hockey program and excited to build a consistent winner. "I feel this program is right on the cusp of greatness. In order to achieve that goal, our team must be disciplined and committed to improving everyday”.

While at Robert Morris, Berman coached defenseman and was responsible for player development and recruitment. Berman helped build a program that improved in the ACHA Division I national rankings each season from #12 in 2011 to #2 in 2014. Berman played forward at NCAA Division III SUNY-Fredonia prior to joining the staff at Robert Morris.

For more information about Arizona Hockey, visit arizonawildcathockey.org.

Contact

Daniel Bowes

Club Sports Coordinator

The University of Arizona

Campus Recreation

(520) 626-7370

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

June 5, 2015 - BOULDER, COLORADO 

On behalf of the University of Colorado I would like to announce that Jeff Neitenbach has been hired as the head ice hockey coach for the CU Club Hockey team for the upcoming season. We are extremely excited and lucky to have Jeff as our head coach for the 2014-15season. Jeff is a former CU Men’s Ice Hockey player, went on to assistant coach with the Boulder Bison Jr. A program and recently played professional hockey for the Denver Cutthroats in the Central Hockey League. Jeff has an extremely well rounded hockey background and will bring stability to the CU Men’s Ice Hockey program. Jeff currently lives just outside of Boulder, CO. with his wife Lindsay and daughter Eva.

Jeff has hired Nathan Davis, who played his College Hockey at Miami Ohio NCAA Div. I, and played World Juniors for Team USA. Nathan played for the Chicago Blackhawks farm system before attending Law School at the University of Colorado.

Andrew Neitenbach, a CU Alum, also played for the University of Colorado ice hockey team and was selected ACHA Div. II Second Team All-West his junior year.  In his senior season, he was selected ACHA Div. II First Team All-West and finished the year with the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League for their playoff run.

As a member of the ACHA Western Colligate Hockey League, our coaches understand the quality of play and the student athletes needed in order for our team to be competitive. With that stated, I would like to welcome Jeff, Nathan and Andrew to our program and look forward to next season.

Sincerely,

Kristopher J. Schoech, MSA

Collegiate Sport Clubs

Campus Box 355

Boulder, CO. 80309

(303) 492-5133

With the regular season concluded and ACHA D1 Nationals just a few days away, the WCHL is pleased to announce the remainder of the end of season awards (the WCHL All-League Teams were announced in February - http://www.westernchl.com/index.php/around-the-league/item/45-wchl-2013-2014-all-league-teams).

WCHL Coach of the Year - GREG POWERS, Arizona State University

WCHL Most Valuable Player - KALE DOLINSKI, Arizona State University

WCHL All-Rookie Team

F - SAM RICE, University of Central Oklahoma

F – PIERCE MATY, University of Colorado

F – COLLIN ABITZ, Colorado State University

D – DREW NEWMEYER, Arizona State University

D – ALEX TEMBY, Arizona State University

G – ROBERT LEVIN, Arizona State University

WCHL Rookie of the Year - ROBERT LEVIN, Arizona State University

WCHL Sportsmanship Award - JORDAN GREENBERG, University of Oklahoma

The WCHL coaches have been polled and they have selected the inaugural WCHL All-League Team (First Team and Second Team) comprised of 12 players (6 forwards, 4 defensemen, and 2 goalies).

WCHL coaches were permitted to vote for their own players; however, coaches were permitted to vote only one of their own players for First Team consideration and only one of their own players for Second Team consideration.

Without further ado, the WCHL 2013-2014 All-League Teams are:

WCHL ALL-LEAGUE FIRST TEAM

F – KALE DOLINSKI, Arizona State University

F – BRYCE JOHNSON, University of Oklahoma

F – COLIN HEKLE, Arizona State University

D – JORDAN YOUNG, Arizona State University

D – CORY RAMSEY, University of Oklahoma

G – ROBERT LEVIN, Arizona State University

WCHL ALL-LEAGUE SECOND TEAM

F – ANDREW MURMES, University of Arizona

F – RILEY SPRAGGS, University of Central Oklahoma

F – JORDAN GREENBERG, University of Oklahoma

D – SHANE GLEASON, University of Arizona

D – MATT PRIGGE, University of Central Oklahoma

G – ALEX PALUMBO, University of Colorado

Dolinski, Johnson and Levin were unanimous selections by the WCHL coaches.

We’re winding down the WCHL regular season with the last few weekends of league play coming up over the next two weeks.  Let’s get to the latest WCHL Wraparound!

LEAGUE STANDINGS –The WCHL uses a 3-2-1-0 point system, meaning a win in regulation is worth 3 points, two points are earned for an overtime/shootout win, one point for an overtime/shootout loss and a loss in regulation results in zero points.  Here are the current WCHL standings:

RANKINGS – This season, the ACHA D1 is utilizing a computer ranking system to determine its weekly Top 25 ranking.  Throughout the season, four WCHL teams (Arizona State, Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma and Arizona) have been mainstays in the ranking while another WCHL squad (Colorado State) has flitted in and out of the poll.  Here is the most recent ACHA D1 ranking:

NATIONALS - The computer ranking will for the first time determine the 20 teams that qualify for the 2014 ACHA D1 National Championship Tournament, which will include the following seven autobids:

                (CSCHL) Central States Collegiate Hockey League

                (CHMA) College Hockey Mid-America

                (ECHA) Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association

                (ESCHL) Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League

                (GLCHL) Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League

                (NECHL) Northeast Collegiate Hockey League

                (HOST) Delaware

The 2014 ACHA D1 National Championship Tournament will be hosted March 6-11 by the University of Delaware at the Fred Rust Ice Arena in Newark, Delaware.

As a first-year league within the ACHA D1 ranks, the WCHL is not eligible to receive an autobid to Nationals.  However, next season the WCHL regular season Champion will receive an autobid to the 2015 National Championship Tournament

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – Throughout the season, the WCHL has been recognizing a Player of the Week based on his efforts in games the previous week.  Here are the recent WCHL Players of the Week:

Ryan Ostertag (F, Arizona State) – Week of Jan. 9-19

Ansel Ivens-Anderson (F, Arizona) – Week of Jan. 20-27

WCHL ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND THE WEB– What’s the best way to get up-to-date, almost instantaneous info about the WCHL?  Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WesternCHL .  We update game results nightly, standings, game previews, viewing links, weekly and monthly awards, news from around the ACHA, all on our WCHL twitter feed.  You’re missing out if you’re not following us.  Just saying.

We’re also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WesternCHL and most of the info from the Twitter feed finds its way to the Facebook page, but no guarantees, ok?  Of course, we’d love for you to also bookmark our snazzy WCHL website at www.westernchl.com since it has a slew of league information as well.

Thanks for reading this far down and thanks for your support of the Western Collegiate Hockey League!

Got any ideas, questions, concerns, etc. about the WCHL?  Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook or shoot an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We hope to see you at a WCHL game in the next few weeks!