College Hockey:
Merrimack to start women’s program?

USCHO Staff Report • March 27, 2012

A recent published report in the New England Hockey Journal suggests Merrimack may soon be on its way to fielding a women’s hockey program that would play in Hockey East.

The report states that Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna has had discussions with Merrimack and if added, due to its men’s program being in Hockey East, a women’s squad would gain automatic acceptance. All programs that have a men’s team are chartered into the women’s league.

“I’d like to see the number of programs and opportunities for female hockey players [in Hockey East] to be increased, whether that’s 10 or 12 teams,” Bertagna said in the story. “I’d like to say, like the men, there’s nobody above us, maybe some right beside us.”

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guest
No conference above WHEA?
Champs since 2001:
Duluth – WCHA
Duluth – WCHA
Duluth – WCHA
Minnesota – WCHA
Minnesota – WCHA
Wisconsin – WCHA
Wisconsin – WCHA
Duluth -WCHA
Wisconsin -WCHA
Duluth – WCHA
Wisconsin – WCHA
Minnesota – WCHA
- After Further Review
  He said that he would like to say there is nobody above us. Apparently, he never actually said it.
- andrew
  what are you talking about?
- Joe C
  It is just the jibber-jabber that all conference commissioners say when someone shows interest in adding a program to a conference.
  While I am happy the strides that Hockey East women have made, with Frozen Four appearances, BU making the final game in less than ten years of existence and a willingness to schedule home-and-home with anyone, those are some true facts from guest.
  I hope that Merrimack will indeed field a women’s program. I also hope that the CCHA teams going to the BTHC will strongly consider adding women’s programs as well. These things can help grow the sport.

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