The Ferris hockey team will join six other current Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) teams in a new league starting in the 2021-2022 season.
The seven teams include Ferris, Bemidji State University, Bowling Green State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University, Mankato and Northern Michigan University.
The new league will be called the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).
Plans to create the new league began last June and Dr. Morris Kurtz, a respected hockey consultant, has been overseeing the alignment. He leads branding, logo creation, legality, financial matters and the search for the league’s first commissioner.
Finding the right person to act as commissioner is the top priority for Kurtz right now and he hopes to have the seat filled no later than Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
Kurtz believes that the new league gives all the teams involved a chance to change things up and start new. He also thinks the CCHA is a better representation of the location of all seven teams than the WCHA.
“As noted from inception, they have a real vision for where they are going with the new league, as they focus on improving regional alignment while building natural rivalries and enhancing the student-athlete and fan experience,” Kurtz said.
For now, everything is on schedule for an Oct. 2021 puck drop to kick off CCHA play. For more information, contact Morris Kurtz at MKurtzConsulting@nullgmail.com or 320-557-8600.