St. Thomas is set to join the NCHC in 2026-27

WEST FARGO --- The National Collegiate Hockey Conference has found its 10th member.

 Wednesday morning, it was announced that in the 2026-27 season, the University of St. Thomas Tommies will become a member of the NCHC for men's hockey.

 Currently, the Tommies play in the CCHA, led by former Miami head coach Rico Blasi, who was hired by St. Thomas in 2021. Blasi's head coaching record at St. Thomas is 29–75–5 (.289).

 St. Thomas is constructing a $183.4 million arena to host hockey and basketball. The Lee and Penny Anderson Arena is anticipated to seat 5,500 people.

 The Tommie and Fighting Hawk athletic programs are both familiar with each other. In their other varsity sports, the Tommies and Hawks play together in the Summit League (basketball, softball, volleyball, women's soccer, women's tennis, golf, cross country, and track & field.)

St. Thomas's hockey record since jumping to Division I.

Year               Conf.      GP W L T  OTW OTL 3/SW Pts* Finish GP W L T %

2021–22 CCHA 26 3 22 1 0 4             0         14           8th 36 3 32     1     .097 Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Minnesota State)

2022–23 CCHA 26 10 14 2 1 1             0 32           7th 36 11 23 2    .333 Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Michigan Tech)

2023–24 CCHA 24 12 11 1 0 2             0        39          T–2nd 37 15 20 2 .432 Lost Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Lake Superior State)