From ACHA Press Release —
ACHA REVERSES COURSE WILL HOLD MEN’S DIVISION 3 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GRAND RAPIDS IN APRIL 2021
PATTERSON ICE CENTER TO HOST MODIFIED TOURNAMENT
TROY, Mich. (February 22, 2021) – The American Collegiate Hockey Association, the governing body for non-NCAA college hockey in the United States, announces that the 2021 Men’s Division 3 (M3) National Championships will be held at Patterson Ice Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from April 15-20, 2021.
“Since our announcement earlier this month about the M1, M2, and W1 National Tournaments, we have seen several states reduce their restrictions on COVID-19 protocols which have led to more M3 teams being permitted to compete this Spring by their respective institutions,” said ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett. “This being the case, we feel hosting a National Tournament in April is now justified and I’d like to thank M3 Vice President Steve Hyjek and Commissioner Derek Conner for their efforts to make this happen for our student-athletes and coaches.”
The M3 National Tournament will consist of eight teams playing in two pools of four teams. Pool play will start on Thursday, April 15th, and end on Saturday, April 17th. The top two teams in each pool will play in cross-over semi-final games on Monday, April 19th with the winners meeting in the M3 National Championship game on Tuesday, April 20th.
“I am thankful for our teams, players, and coaches that have persevered in this tumultuous year to be able to provide this opportunity to play for a National Championship. We look forward to a great week of hockey this April to showcase our best teams at the M3 level,” stated ACHA M3 Commissioner Derek Conner.
“We are currently working with local health care authorities in the area to develop a COVID-19 mitigation plan for the Tournament in an effort to ensure the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches, staff, and visitors,” said Barnett. “We hope to have these details finalized and announced in the coming weeks.”
For further information, please contact ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett at cbarnett@achahockey.org.