# Northern Collegiate Hockey League

The Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL) is a college ice hockey league based in the central region of the United States. The conference is part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 2 and is made up of eleven teams from universities and colleges based in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

## History

The 2014–2015 season was the inaugural season for the NCHL, formed of ACHA D2 teams from Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan.

## Regular-season format

Each conference member is required to play all the other members, for a 16-game conference season. Teams earn two point for a win (regulation or overtime), one point for a tie or an overtime loss, and zero points for a regulation loss.
At the end of the season the top six teams qualify for the conference tournament, with the top two teams receiving a first round bye.

## Member teams

| Member | Location | Joined league | Nickname | Home arena | Head coach |
| Aurora University | Aurora, IL | 2017 | Spartans | All Seasons | Bill Andrews |
| Concordia University Wisconsin | Mequon, WI | 2018 | Falcons | Ozaukee Ice Center | Shea Klitzke |
| DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 2017 | Blue Demons | Johnny's Ice House West | Sean Hammond |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 2015 | Flyers | CanLan Ice Sports | Jim Swoyer |
| Marian University | Fond du Lac, WI | 2016 | Sabres | Blue Line Family Ice Center | Blake Zabinski |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | 2017 | Golden Eagles | The Ponds of Brookfield | Paul Wajgel |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | 2023 | Raiders | Kern Center | George Sullivan |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 2021 | Pride | Kube Sports Complex | Tom Pauly |
| Roosevelt University | Bensenville, IL | 2014 | Lakers | The Edge Ice Arena | Vito Bruno |
| St. Norbert College | De Pere, WI | 2021 | Green Knights | Resch Olympic Pavilion | Dan Wood |
| University of Wisconsin Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | 2022 | Panthers | The Ponds of Brookfield | Gavin Nickerson |
| University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | 2014 | Titans | 20th St. YMCA | Kyle Jansen |

## Conference tournament format
### Playoffs 2025

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| Purdue University NW | Purdue University NW | 3 | | | | | | |
| University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 2 | | | | | | |
| University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 2 | Purdue University NW | Purdue University NW | 4 | | | |
| | | | Concordia University WI | Concordia University WI | 3 | | | |
| Concordia University WI | Concordia University WI | 4 | Concordia University WI | Concordia University WI | 3 | | | |
| DePaul University | DePaul University | 1 | | | | | | |
| DePaul University | DePaul University | 1 | | | | Purdue University NW | Purdue University NW | 4 |
| | | | | | | Marian University | Marian University | 5 |
| Marian University | Marian University | 10 | | | | | | | Marian University | Marian University | 5 |
| Roosevelt University | Roosevelt University | 1 | | | | | | |
| Roosevelt University | Roosevelt University | 1 | Marian University | Marian University | 5 | | | |
| | | | Marquette University | Marquette University | 1 | | | |
| Aurora University | Aurora University | 1 | Marquette University | Marquette University | 1 | | | |
| Marquette University | Marquette University | 4 | | | | | | |

### Playoffs 2024

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 1 | Concordia University WI | 7 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Roosevelt University | 1 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Roosevelt University | 1 | 1 | Concordia University WI | 6 | | | |
| | | | 5 | Marian University | 3 | | | |
| 4 | Aurora University | 2 | 5 | Marian University | 3 | | | |
| 5 | Marian University | 9 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Marian University | 9 | | | | 1 | Concordia University WI | 9 |
| | | | | | | 2 | DePaul University | 6 |
| 2 | DePaul University | 4 (OT) | | | | | | | 2 | DePaul University | 6 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 3 | | | | | | |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 3 | 2 | DePaul University | 7 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Marquette University | 0 | | | |
| 3 | Marquette University | 6 | 3 | Marquette University | 0 | | | |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin Milwaukee | 0 | | | | | | |

### Playoffs 2023

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 1 | Concordia University WI | 6 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Lewis University | 3 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Lewis University | 3 | 1 | Concordia University WI | 9 | | | |
| | | | 5 | Aurora University | 1 | | | |
| 4 | Marquette University | 4 | 5 | Aurora University | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Aurora University | 5 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Aurora University | 5 | | | | 1 | Concordia University WI | 4 |
| | | | | | | 2 | DePaul University | 6 |
| 2 | DePaul University | 9 | | | | | | | 2 | DePaul University | 6 |
| 7 | Roosevelt University | 1 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Roosevelt University | 1 | 2 | DePaul University | 9 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Marian University | 5 | | | |
| 3 | Marian University | 4 | 3 | Marian University | 5 | | | |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 1 | | | | | | |

### Playoffs 2022
#### Black Division

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 1 | Marquette University | 6 | | | |
| 4 | DePaul University | 3 | | | |
| 4 | DePaul University | 3 | 1 | Marquette University | 3 |
| | | | 2 | Marian University | 8 |
| 2 | Marian University | 5 | 2 | Marian University | 8 |
| 3 | Concordia University WI | 2 | | | |

#### Orange Division

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| 1 | Purdue University Northwest | 6 | | | |
| 4 | St. Norbert College | 1 | | | |
| 4 | St. Norbert College | 1 | 1 | Purdue University Northwest | 4 |
| | | | 2 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 5 (OT) |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 7 | 2 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 5 (OT) |
| 3 | Northern Michigan University | 4 | | | |

### Playoffs 2020

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | | | 1 | Marian University | 2 | | | |
| 4 | Marquette University | 9 | 4 | Marquette University | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Lewis University | 3 | | | | 1 | Marian University | 4 (OT) |
| | | | | | | 3 | Concordia University WI | 3 |
| | | | 2 | Aurora University | 4 | | | |
| 3 | Concordia University WI | 4 | 3 | Concordia University WI | 5 (OT) | | | |
| 6 | DePaul University | 1 | | | | | | |

### Playoffs 2019

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | | | 1 | Marian University | 5 | | | |
| 4 | Robert Morris University | 6 | 4 | Robert Morris University | 0 | | | |
| 5 | DePaul University | 1 | | | | 1 | Marian University | 3 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Aurora University | 2 |
| | | | 2 | Aurora University | 3 | | | |
| 3 | Marquette University | 7 | 3 | Marquette University | 2 | | | |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 4 | | | | | | |

### Playoffs 2018

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | | | 1 | Aurora University | 4 | | | |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 0 | 4 | Robert Morris University | 2 | | | |
| 5 | Robert Morris University | 2 | | | | 1 | Aurora University | 4 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Marian University | 2 |
| | | | 2 | Marian University | 5 | | | |
| 3 | St. Mary's University of MN | 4 (SO) | 3 | St. Mary's University of MN | 3 | | | |
| 6 | DePaul University | 4 | | | | | | |

### Playoffs 2017

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | | | 1 | Marian University | 8 | | | |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 5 | 4 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Lewis University | 2 | | | | 1 | Marian University | 5 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Waldorf University | 2 |
| | | | 2 | Waldorf University | 7 | | | |
| 3 | Robert Morris University | 8 | 3 | Robert Morris University | 3 | | | |
| 6 | St. Mary's University of MN | 0 | | | | | | |

### Playoffs 2016

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | | | 1 | Lewis University | 4 | | | |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 6 | 4 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 5 (2OT) | | | |
| 5 | Northern Michigan University | 3 | | | | 4 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 2 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Robert Morris University | 4 |
| | | | 2 | Robert Morris University | 2 | | | |
| 3 | Waldorf University | 3 | 3 | Waldorf University | 1 | | | |
| 6 | St. Mary's University of MN | 0 | | | | | | |

### Playoffs 2015

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| | | | 1 | Waldorf University | 7 | | | |
| 4 | Michigan Tech University | 3 | 4 | Michigan Tech University | 0 | | | |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 1 | | | | 1 | Waldorf University | 3 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Robert Morris University | 1 |
| | | | 2 | Robert Morris University | 8 | | | |
| 3 | University of Minnesota Duluth | 4 | 3 | University of Minnesota Duluth | 3 | | | |
| 6 | St. Mary's University of MN | 2 | | | | | | |

## Conference champions (Hap Cup)

| Season | Champion | Runner-Up | Championship Location | Host |
| 2014-15 | Waldorf University | Robert Morris University | Albert Lea, MN | Waldorf University |
| 2015-16 | Robert Morris University | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Marquette, MI | Northern Michigan University |
| 2016-17 | Marian University | Robert Morris University | Albert Lea, MN | Waldorf University |
| 2017-18 | Aurora University | Marian University | Beaver Dam, WI | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh |
| 2018-19 | Marian University | Aurora University | Fond du Lac, WI | Marian University |
| 2019-20 | Marian University | Concordia University | Fond du Lac, WI | Marian University |
| 2020-21 | Season Cancelled Due to COVID | | | |
| 2021-22 | Marian University | Marquette University | Fond du Lac, WI | Marian University |
| 2022-23 | DePaul University | Concordia University | Fond du Lac, WI | Marian University |
| 2023-24 | Concordia University | DePaul University | Fond du Lac, WI | Marian University |
| 2024-25 | Marian University | Purdue University Northwest | Fond du Lac, WI | Marian University |
Championship totals
| Team | Titles | Years |
| Marian University | 5 | 2025, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017 |
| Concordia University | 1 | 2024 |
| DePaul University | 1 | 2023 |
| Aurora University | 1 | 2018 |
| Robert Morris University | 1 | 2016 |
| Waldorf University | 1 | 2015 |

## Season awards

| Season | Player of the Year | School | Rookie of the Year | School | Coach of the Year | School |
| 2014-15 | Ronald Paulson | Waldorf University | Ronald Paulson | Waldorf University | Brett Shelanski | Waldorf University |
| 2015-16 | Tony Francois | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Jason Johnson | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Chris Huebel | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh |
| 2016-17 | Joey Daniels | Robert Morris University - Maroon | Miles Giorgione | Marian University | Billy Karr | Robert Morris University - Maroon |
| 2017-18 | Tommy Feldman | DePaul University | Matt Ernsting | Lewis University | Don Cada | St. Mary's University of MN |
| 2018-19 | Conor Coyne & Justin Davidson | Marquette University & Marian University | Zach Tykocki | Aurora University | Will Jurgensen | Marquette University |
| 2019-20 | Jonathan Grodzki | Concordia University Wisconsin | Mack Willy | Concordia University Wisconsin | Chris Fredrickson | Marian University |
| 2021-22 | Patrick Sweeney | Marquette University | Garrett Wilderman | Concordia University Wisconsin | Chris Fredrickson & Dan Wood | Marian University & Concordia University Wisconsin |
| 2022-23 | Michael Helf | DePaul University | Chris Lee | DePaul University | Dan Wood | DePaul University |
| 2023-24 | Ian Malcolmson | Concordia University Wisconsin | Charlie Emme | Concordia University Wisconsin | Shea Klitzke | Concordia University Wisconsin |
| 2024-25 | Tommy Cassel | Concordia University Wisconsin | Jackson Sweeney | Marian University | Blake Zabinski | Marian University |

## National championship qualifiers

* Concordia University WI (2024, 2023)
* Marian University (2019)
* Aurora University (2018)

## National Player of the Year

* Charles Emme, Concordia University WI (2024)

## Expansion member for 2025-26 season

* St. Norbert College

## Previous members

* University of Minnesota Duluth (2014–16)
* Michigan Tech University (2014–16)
* Waldorf University (2014–17)
* St. Mary's University of MN (2014–18)
* St. Norbert College (2021–23)
* Purdue University Northwest (2021–22)
* Northern Michigan University (2014–2023)