The WCHA on Friday admitted Bemidji State and the University of Nebraska Omaha.

With those two teams, the conference grows to 12 teams. This is the first expansion of the WCHA since Minnesota State Mankato joined in 1999-2000.

BSU, which will have a new arena to play in its first WCHA season, was desperately looking for a home. The CHA, the Beavers’ four-team conference, is disbanding after this upcoming season.

UNO, a member of the CCHA for 10 seasons, was approached by the WCHA to be the 12the member. UNO has a new athletic director, Trev Alberts, and a new coach, Dean Blais, and was interested in upgrading its program.

Everyone seemed happy with the expansion.

“This is a happy and proud day for me,” said Bruce McLeod, commissioner of the WCHA. “I’m happy because I think this is such a win-win circumstance for the WCHA, our new members and collegiate hockey in general.”

“This is a great day for the Beavers,” said BSU coach Tom Serratore, whose team surprised the hockey world by reaching the Frozen Four in March.

“We’re excited about becoming a part of the WCHA’s rich tradition of outstanding hockey,” Alberts said. 

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