The Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) was an NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operated primarily in the northeastern United States. As an ice hockey-only conference, it participated in the NCAA's Division I. The league's history is marked by significant developments, including its formation, evolution, and eventual merger with College Hockey America (CHA).
Formation and Early Years
The AHA was formed in 1997. It began play in the 1998-1999 season as the hockey division of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Within three years, it was granted an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, marking an early achievement for the conference.
Challenges and Changes
However, in 2003, Iona and Fairfield dropped hockey. This left Canisius as the only full MAAC member that sponsored hockey, which proved somewhat problematic for MAAC Hockey, since conference bylaws only allowed full members to vote.
Merger with CHA
On June 6, 2023, it was announced that Atlantic Hockey would be merging all operations with CHA, effective in 2024. This merger signifies a new chapter for both conferences, combining their resources and teams. In April 2024, it was announced that Atlantic Hockey and CHA women will combine as Atlantic Hockey America for the 2024-25 season.
Two leagues with a dynamic history joining together
Awards and Recognition
At the conclusion of each regular season schedule the coaches of each Atlantic Hockey team vote which players they choose to be on the three or four All-Conference teams: first team, second team and rookie team (third team beginning in 2007). Additionally they vote to award 7 of the 10 individual trophies to an eligible player (or coach) and 1 team award at the same time. Atlantic Hockey also awards a regular season goaltending award and regular season scoring title that are not voted on, as well as a Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player, which is voted on at the conclusion of the conference tournament.
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For example, the 2003-04 Atlantic Hockey All-Star Teams and Regular Season Awards were announced in March 2004, recognizing outstanding players and their achievements.
Point System
Beginning in 2020-21, the Hockey Commissioners Association agreed all leagues that utilize shootouts will use the same system point system to calculate standings after the NCAA mandated 3-on-3 overtime for all games. All conference games are worth three points. While nearly every Division I college conference now uses shootouts to break ties after overtime is played, the NCAA uses W-L-T for record keeping and does not recognize shootout "wins" as wins. A game is considered a "tie" for both team and coach historical records after overtime ends without a goal scored. Shootouts are used only to determine points in league standings. For this reason, records will continue to be displayed as W-L-T with OW-OL-SW following to display total point calculations.
Teams Over the Years
Robert Morris was a member of Atlantic Hockey from 2010 to 2021 until the program was cut.
The NEWHA was founded in 2017 as a scheduling alliance between Division I and Division II women's ice hockey independents, with Sacred Heart as a founding member.
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