Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI -- Courtesy:  CCHA

Three CCHA member schools – the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Ferris State University and Lake Superior State University - have accepted an Aug. 25 invitation to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for the 2013-14 season.

The announcement is a product of a series of discussions between representatives of the CCHA and WCHA, including a recent meeting in Chicago on Aug. 23. The two leagues have also agreed to continue to hold regular talks to address topics such as by-laws, scheduling, tournament scenarios, finances and additional membership.

"(This) will benefit student-athletes from multiple schools, fans from various communities and the sport as a whole," said UAF athletic director Forrest Karr.

The decisions come after months of uncertainty, as hockey programs throughout the nation have worked through the process of conference realignment.

"There is a collective sense of relief," Karr said. "We can now turn our attention to making sure all CCHA student-athletes have a quality experience over the next two years and to helping build on the WCHA's solid foundation."

The Nanooks' move to the WCHA also means UAF will fall into the same conference as intrastate rival, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. Nanooks’ alumnus and current head coach Dallas Ferguson is looking forward to renewing old rivalries and starting new ones.

"The WCHA provides a unified group of schools that are committed to Division I hockey. Membership in this conference will provide advantages for both our fans and our student-athletes," said Ferguson.

Ferris State University’s acceptance of the WCHA's invitation is the result of collaborative efforts that the university's administration has undertaken with peer institutions during these past few months.

"Hockey is a very important sport to Ferris State University and to our fans," said FSU President David L. Eisler. "In joining the WCHA, Ferris remains firmly committed to a program of the highest standards of national competition with continued great success by our student-athletes and coaches. The unanimous support of the presidents in the WCHA in extending this invitation is sincerely appreciated. We look forward to working with them and our CCHA colleagues to make this a conference that builds on the great traditions of our programs and institutions."

Ferris is pleased to accept the invitation and looks forward to its WCHA membership.

"This is an outstanding day for Ferris State Bulldog hockey and college hockey in general. The uncertainty of the past five months has caused some genuine angst and instability on hockey-playing campuses across the country," Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger said. "Through the vision, leadership and cooperative spirit of the institutions in these two tradition-rich conferences there is a renewed sense of stability, excitement and a new direction for hockey programs in both the CCHA and WCHA."

This future partnership with the WCHA continues Ferris' tradition of student-athletes competing against high-level competition in Division I ice hockey.

"We're very flattered that the WCHA has extended this invitation to the Ferris State hockey program to join its conference," said head coach Bob Daniels, who is entering his 20th season behind the Bulldogs' bench. "This is a very good opportunity and we're excited about what this means for our program."

The move unites Lake Superior State University with fellow Michigan Upper Peninsula schools, Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University.

"This will be a great step for our program – to find a league with teams that are similar to ours," Director of Athletics Kris Dunbar said. "We will be in a conference with similar schools and good hockey traditions. This should be appealing to fans, alumni and recruits. Our fans will continue to see good college hockey played in Taffy Abel Arena for years to come."

The WCHA also extended invitations on Aug.25 to two other CCHA-member schools: Bowling Green State University and Western Michigan University.

Six other teams are committed to becoming part of the conference in the 2013-14 season: University of Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State University, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, St. Cloud State University and Northern Michigan University.