Rochester College to join ACHA’s Division 1 in 2013-14

By Michael Caples –

Rochester College’s hockey program officially announced yesterday that they have accepted an invitation to join the American Collegiate Hockey Assocation’s Division 1 for the start of the 2013-14 season.

The Warriors were notified on Oct. 24 that ACHA DI commissioner Brian Moran had extended an offer after their application was approved by the required minimum of 75 percent of current ACHA members.

“This is a huge step for continued development of the Rochester College hockey program,” said RC Hockey GM Scott Cagnet in a press release. “I appreciate all the hard work that our staff, Commissioner Moran, and the current ACHA D1 members have put into the application process. I am especially grateful for the letters of recommendation from Adrian College, University of Arizona, Oakland University, Davenport University, and Liberty University. There is much work to still be done but this announcement allows us to move forward. We are excited and honored to be a part of the ACHA D1 and look forward to the road ahead of us.”

Coach Nick Tomczyk said his team’s entry to the ACHA accomplishes one of the program’s first goals.

“This is a fantastic accomplishment for Rochester College,” Tomczyk said in the release. “The staff has been working very hard and that hard work is paying off as we are now accepted into the highest level in the ACHA.  Playing Division I hockey was one of our primary goals, so this approval means a tremendous amount to the college and all of us on staff. This will no doubt attract top end players looking to compete at the collegiate level. I am very fortunate to be a part of this process, this is a very exciting time at Rochester.”

The ACHA, established in 1991, features 446 collegiate programs from 49 states, competing in five different divisions. The league has held a partnership with USA Hockey and the American Hockey Coaches Association since 1999. Fifty-five teams compile the Division I level of the ACHA, with representation from Oakland University, Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Adrian College, Davenport University, Wayne State University (also in 2013-14), and the University of Michigan-Dearborn.