Mercyhurst, other college hockey teams in CHA, AHA unify under Atlantic Hockey America name

Mercyhurst University’s hockey teams will experience change this fall.

Not in status. The Lakers will remain at the NCAA Division I level.

However, their men’s and women’s programs will share a common conference name.

The Mercyhurst men were members of the Atlantic Hockey Association and its women for College Hockey America. Going forward, each will play under the Atlantic Hockey America banner.

The officials that governed each conference chose to unite them under one name starting with the 2024-25 college hockey season.

“Our new identity honors the rich tradition of our past and celebrates the bright future that lies ahead for our member programs,” AHA commissioner Michelle Morgan said in a news release.

Mercyhurst’s men, coached by Rick Gotkin, have been conference members since its origin 22 years ago. The others are American International, Bentley, Canisius, College of Holy Cross, Niagara, Rochester Institute of Technology, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, Air Force Academy and Army.

The upcoming season for Mercyhurst’s women will be their 23rd in the conference, which also consists of Lindenwood, Penn State, Rochester Institute of Technology, Robert Morris and Syracuse.

The conference will expand to seven teams with next year’s addition of the University of Delaware.

Mike has worked for the Erie Times-News editorial department since 1997 and full time with its sports department since 2004. He was the sports editor for the former Titusville Herald from 1991-93.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Mercyhurst, other college hockey teams in CHA, AHA unify under Atlantic Hockey America name