At its annual meetings in Florida on Thursday, the WCHA gave final approval, via a unanimous vote, to the new WCHA women’s league.
“This is indeed a significant development for the WCHA,” said association chair Darrell Smith. “We are all looking forward to playing a major role in the continuing evolution and development of women’s ice hockey at all levels.”
Inaugural members of the league are Minnesota State University-Mankato, the Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State and Wisconsin.
Bemidji State and Ohio State have been invited to join as well.
The new league will begin play in the 1999-2000 season with a 24-game conference schedule and subsequent playoff tournament.
