College Hockey America Tournament Moves To The Great Plains

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- College Hockey America, college hockey's newest Division I conference, has secured a deal with Kearney Hockey, Inc., and Tri-City Arena in Kearney, Neb., to bring the 2003 CHA Tournament to America's Heartland.

Labeled "The Great Face-off on the Great Plains," the 2003 CHA Tournament will take place March 14-16 at the Tri-City Arena with the Air Force Academy serving as the host institution. All six CHA members will qualify for the tournament, including Air Force, the University of Alabama-Huntsville, Bemidji State University (Minn.), the University of Findlay (Ohio), Niagara University (New York) and Wayne State University (Mich.).

"Moving the College Hockey America Tournament to Kearney is another shining example of the remarkable growth of hockey," commented CHA commissioner R.H. "Bob" Peters. "The incredible reception hockey has received in the Tri-City area since its inception two years ago has impressed the hockey community throughout the country.

"Tri-City Arena is an excellent facility and will meet the many requirements for hosting a tournament of this magnitude," Peters continued. "This will be a monumental year for the CHA as our champion will join the champions of the other five conference tournaments (CCHA, WCHA, ECAC, HEA, MAAC) that will be eligible to receive automatic qualification for the 2003 NCAA Tournament. The people of Kearney and the Tri-city area have given us a most warm welcome and we are very appreciative for their hospitality."

The Tri-City area, consisting of Nebraska cities Kearney, Grand Island and Hastings, was initially hooked on hockey two years ago when the USHL's Tri-City Storm blew through the Midwestern plains and cultivated a fan base of over 4,500. The Storm home game attendance during the 2001-02 season ranked second in the USHL, with an average of 4,567. The team currently holds the longest running home sellout streak in the league at 65 consecutive games.

"We're excited to have this unique opportunity to play host to an NCAA Division I college hockey tournament," said Greg Shea, Vice President of Operations for Kearney Hockey, Inc. "Kearney Hockey, Inc., along with our partner the Tri-City Arena, will put forth an aggressive campaign to stage a first class event for the athletes and coaches of the CHA."

The CHA Tournament is one of the six Division I conference tournaments involving 60 teams nationwide, including the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, Hockey East Association and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The 2003 CHA Tournament marks the first on a neutral site for the three-year-old league.

Niagara University, a co-host with Canisius College for the 2003 NCAA Frozen Four at HSBC Arena in Buffalo April 10 & 12, captured the inaugural CHA championship in 2000 in Huntsville, Ala., and earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Purple Eagles defeated New Hampshire before falling to eventual national champion North Dakota in the quarterfinals. Wayne State University took home the last two CHA tournament championships, 2001 from Huntsville, Ala., and 2002 from Niagara Falls.

Key contacts: CHA Commissioner R.H. "Bob" Peters (218-760-7825) Vice President of Operations for Kearney Hockey, Inc., Greg Shea (308-338-8809)