TROY, MICHIGAN – October 2, 2023 – The American Collegiate Hockey Association, the governing body for non-varsity collegiate hockey in the United States, announced today that it has selected St. Louis as the site for the ACHA National Championships presented by FloHockey in 2025, 2027, and 2028.  The ACHA will also have an option to bring the event to St. Louis in 2026.  The culminating event of the ACHA season will be hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the St. Louis Blues.

Each of the announced editions of the ACHA National Championships presented by FloHockey will be played at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri.  The Centene Community Ice Center previously hosted the 2022 ACHA National Championships and will host the upcoming 2024 ACHA National Championships presented by FloHockey from March 7 through March 17, 2024.  The 2025 ACHA National Championships presented by FloHockey will be played from March 13 through March 25, 2025 at the Centene Community Ice Center.  The dates for each of the upcoming ACHA National Championships events in St. Louis, including the option year of 2026, are as follows:

• 2024 ACHA National Tournament March 7-17, 2024
• 2025 ACHA National Tournament March 13-25, 2025
• 2026 ACHA National Tournament (option year) March 12-24, 2026
• 2027 ACHA National Tournament March 11-23, 2027
• 2028 ACHA National Tournament March 9-21, 2028

The Centene Community Ice Center, which opened in September 2019 and is managed by the St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation, is the practice facility for the NHL’s St. Louis Blues as well as the home of Lindenwood University’s NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs.  The Maryville University Hockey Center in nearby Chesterfield, Missouri hosted overflow games and practices during the 2022 ACHA National Championships and will do so again for the ACHA’s future National Championship events.

“Based on discussions with team representatives at the recent ACHA Annual Meeting regarding locations for our National Championships for 2025 and beyond, our members clearly enjoyed the hospitality and convenience afforded by St. Louis,” said ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett.  “Knowing that, it just made perfect sense to seek a longer-term commitment in St. Louis at the Centene Community Ice Center.  The St. Louis Sports Commission and the St. Louis Blues are committed to hosting the ACHA’s marquee event, and we trust ACHA student-athletes, coaches, and fans will have a tremendous experience on and off the ice in the Heartland of Hockey.”

“A tremendous partnership has developed with the ACHA, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Sports Commission, and our two outstanding venues to make the St. Louis region a recurring, popular host of the ACHA National Championships,” said St. Louis Sports Commission Senior Vice President Chris Roseman.  “Along with the local hockey community, the Centene Community Ice Center, and Maryville University Hockey Center, we are proud to welcome the ACHA back to the Heartland of Hockey in 2025 and beyond, and we will deliver a first-class experience for these excellent men’s and women’s collegiate hockey clubs to compete for a national title in St. Louis.”

“The unprecedented decision of the ACHA to bring its annual National Championships back to St. Louis and the Centene Community Ice Center for as many as six times in seven years is further evidence of the excellence of our region as a host for the biggest amateur hockey events in North America,” said Chris Zimmerman, St. Louis Blues President and CEO, Business Operations.  “In partnership with the St. Louis Sports Commission, we are working with leaders throughout St. Louis to position our region at the center of the North American amateur hockey universe.  We are committed to continue building on that success to attract major international hockey events here and we thank the ACHA for its ongoing collaboration and contributions to the development of hockey at the grassroots level across the St. Louis region.”

Players from 82 teams across all five ACHA divisions—Men’s Division 1, 2, and 3 and Women’s Divisions 1 and 2—will converge upon the suburban St. Louis area to compete in 121 games over the course of the ACHA’s premier event.

For more information, please contact Executive Director Craig Barnett at cbarnett@achahockey.org.

ABOUT AMERICAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) is a recognized 501(c)3 organization of almost 450 college and university-affiliated programs which provides structure, regulates operations, and promotes the quality of collegiate ice hockey throughout the United States.  Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, the ACHA’s primary mission is to support the growth and development of college hockey programs nationwide.  The ACHA identifies standards which serve to unite and regulate teams at the collegiate level and entered its 33rd season in September 2023. For more information, visit achahockey.org.

ABOUT THE ST. LOUIS BLUES

The St. Louis Blues have been a part of the NHL since 1967. During more than 50 years of operation, the organization has established itself as one of the premier professional sports franchises in the country. With a Stanley Cup, ten division titles, a Presidents’ Trophy and more than 20 former team members enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Blues have etched one of the most storied histories in the NHL. Through their history, the Blues have hosted more than 35 million fans and invested millions in the St. Louis community via Blues for Kids, the team’s charitable foundation.  For more info, please visit www.nhl.com/blues or contact Roger Hacker, Chief Communications Officer, at rhacker@stlblues.com.

ABOUT ST. LOUIS LEGACY ICE FOUNDATION

The St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation was founded to provide individuals from across the St. Louis region – with an emphasis on its youth – with the opportunity to develop their skills in ice sports in a setting that fosters personal growth and excellence.  As St. Louis’ flagship ice sports facility, Centene Community Ice Center ensures the region’s ability to attract major ice sport events and tournaments that contribute economic development and job creation while strengthening ice sports throughout our communities.  In these and related endeavors, we champion the value inherent in ice sports: commitment, good sportsmanship, teamwork, personal integrity, and respect for others and self.  For more information, please visit www.legacyice.org.

ABOUT ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION

The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately-funded nonprofit organization that grows, strengthens and moves St. Louis forward through sports. The organization uses the power of sports to enhance the area’s quality of life and generate economic and social benefit for the St. Louis region.  The Sports Commission has attracted, supported, and/or produced several high-profile amateur hockey events including the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Frozen Fours, NCAA Men’s Hockey Regional, ACHA National Championships, U.S. vs. Canada Women’s Hockey My Why Tour, and the USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival.  For more info, please visit stlsports.org or contact Tim Ryan, Director of Communications at tryan@stlsports.org.

ABOUT MARYLAND HEIGHTS

Maryland Heights is home to more than 27,000 residents and 1,600 businesses, making it a major employment center for the region. The city is also a hospitality and entertainment destination, hosting over 3,800 hotel rooms and numerous dining, recreation, and entertainment opportunities.  Maryland Heights is a great place to live, work and visit.  For more information, please visit www.marylandheights.com.