FARMINGTON HILLS -- CCHA Commissioner Fred Pletsch today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference that Miami will be among the schools that will be part of the conference beginning in the 2013-14 academic year:

"Today's announcement does not come as a surprise as we have been engaged in discussing this topic with Miami, and other CCHA schools, for several months now. The league respects the right of all members to examine institutional and geographic similarities with other schools, and ultimately determine their own place within college hockey. The conference continues to work closely with the remaining membership to ensure there is a place for them, and the CCHA, in the evolving landscape.

The CCHA completed its 40th season of play in March. The conference has produced eight national champions since forming in the 1971-72 season.