West Coast Hockey Conference
| West Coast Hockey Conference | |
|---|---|
| Established: | 2010 |
| Sport: | Ice hockey |
| League: | ACHA |
| Classification: | Division II |
| Members: | 8 |
| State(s): | California (8) |
| Web site: | WCHC Hockey |
The West Coast Hockey Conference (WCHC) is an ACHA Division 2 club hockey league which began play in the Fall of 2010. The conference is made up of nine previously independent Division 2 hockey programs in California. The six charter schools were Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Loyola Marymount, Northern Arizona and San Diego State.
History
The first game in conference history was played on October 1, 2010. San Diego State hosted Long Beach State and won 4-3. At the end of the regular season Arizona State was crowned the conference's first champion.[1] For the conference's second season and beyond a playoff will be held to determine the conference champion.
The WCHC announced on April 16, 2011 UNLV was approved to become the seventh member of the conference.[2] After the 2011-12 season Arizona State, San Diego State and UNLV became independent once again leaving the conference with four teams for the next two seasons.
The WCHC announced on February 25, 2014 Cal State Northridge was approved to become the fifth member of the conference.[3]
The WCHC announced on June 29, 2015 Northern Arizona left to become independent and Arizona State's Pac-8 team would transfer over to keep the conference membership at five.[4]
The WCHC announced on February 7, 2016 Arizona State left to become independent and San Diego State would rejoin the conference.[5]
The WCHC announced on April 8, 2017 Chapman was approved as the sixth conference member.[6]
The WCHC announced on May 14, 2018 UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and the University of San Diego were approved as members and San Diego State left to join the Pac-8 conference bringing the conference total to eight.[7] For the 2018-19 season the WCHC champion will receive an auto bid to the ACHA West Regional Tournament.
Members
| School | Location | Founded | Joined | Affiliation | Nickname | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | 1957 | 2010 | Public (California State University System) | Titans | |
| California State University, Northridge | Northridge, CA | 1958 | 2014 | Public (California State University System) | Matadors | |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1861 | 2017 | Private (Protestant) | Panthers | |
| Long Beach State University | Long Beach, CA | 1949 | 2010 | Public (California State University System) | 49ers | |
| Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA | 1911 | 2010 | Private (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities) | Lions | |
| University of California, San Diego | La Jolla, CA | 1903 | 2018 | Public (University of California System) | Tritons | |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Goleta, CA | 1891 | 2018 | Public (University of California System) | Gauchos | |
| University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | 1949 | 2018 | Private (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities) | Toreros | |
Former members
| School | Current Division (Conference) |
|---|---|
| Arizona State | ACHA D-1 (WCHL) |
| Arizona State | ACHA D-2 (PAC-8) |
| Northern Arizona | ACHA D-2 (Independent) |
| San Diego State | ACHA D-2 (PAC-8) |
| UNLV | ACHA D-1 (Independent) |
Team Histories
- Cal State Fullerton previously belonged to the PCHA before the program disbanded in 2005. The Titans re-established their program for the 2008-09 season, played that year in Division 3 and then moved up to Division 2 for the 2009-10 season.
- Cal State Northridge founded the PCHA in 1972 along with UCLA and Cal Tech. They moved up to Division 2 for the 2012-13 season after making the Division 3 National Tournament in 2010 and 2012.
- Chapman started their program in 2010. The Panthers moved up to Division 2 for the 2014-15 season.
- Long Beach State previously belonged to the PCHA. In the late 1990's the 49ers moved up to Division 2.
- Loyola Marymount first had an ice hockey team from 1930 to 1942.[8] The Lions re-established their program in 2006.
- UC San Diego previously belonged to the PCHA.
- UC Santa Barbara previously belonged to the PCHA. The program began in 2010.
- San Diego will begin play in the ACHA in Fall 2018.
Champions
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Host |
| 2019 | Cal State Fullerton | ||
| 2018 | Cal State Northridge | Long Beach State | Loyola Marymount |
| 2017 | Cal State Northridge | San Diego State | Cal State Northridge |
| 2016 | Arizona State-Maroon | Cal State Northridge | Loyola Marymount |
| 2015 | Northern Arizona | Cal State Fullerton | Northern Arizona |
| 2014 | Northern Arizona | Long Beach State | Long Beach State |
| 2013 | Northern Arizona | Loyola Marymount | Cal State Fullerton |
| 2012 | UNLV | Northern Arizona | UNLV |
| 2011 | Arizona State (Regular Season) | - | - |
ACHA Division 2 Nationals Teams
The WCHC has sent at least one team to the ACHA Division 2 West Regional Tournament every year. Also they have sent five teams to the Division 2 National Tournament.
2016 Host City: West Chester, PA
- Arizona State-Maroon
Liberty (L 4-1)
William Paterson (L 5-1)
Lindenwood (L 9-1)
2015 Host City: Salt Lake City, UT
NYU (L 3-1)
Liberty (W 5-2)
Grand Valley State (L 7-2)
2014 Host City: Marlborough, MA
- Northern Arizona (Finished 9th)
New Hampshire (L 3-1)
Liberty (L 6-2)
Grand Valley State (W 6-2)
2012 Host City: Fort Myers, FL
- Arizona State (Finished 5th)
New Hampshire (W 7-1)
Maryland-Baltimore County (W 5-4 OT)
Michigan State (T 2-2)
- Northern Arizona (Finished 16th)
Grand Valley State (L 8-2)
Penn State (L 9-0)
Siena College (L 3-1)
References
- ↑ http://lmuicehockey.com/
- ↑ http://www.wchchockey.com/
- ↑ http://wchchockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/wchchockey/news-1569/news_163679
- ↑ http://wchchockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/wchchockey/news-1569/news_307716
- ↑ http://wchchockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/wchchockey/news-1569/news_461065
- ↑ http://wchchockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/wchchockey/news-1569/news_472577
- ↑ http://wchchockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/wchchockey/news-1569/news_503366
- ↑ http://lmuicehockey.com/History.html