Maryville University expected to announce Division I hockey program soon
Plus: A full mailbag, with submissions on BU, Spengler Cup, Lowell, Northern Michigan, and more
Maryville has reached its fundraising targets and is expected to formally announce the launch of its Division I men’s hockey program in the near future, sources confirmed.
Today’s newsletter digs into the Maryville developments and examines what, if anything, they could mean for the independent schools as they explore paths toward a conference with access to an automatic bid.
Today’s newsletter (#647) also features a full mailbag, including questions and topics such as:
My take on Boston University’s season to this point
Whether programs will be more willing to allow players to participate in the Spengler Cup
My outlook on the future at UMass Lowell
Whether Merrimack has enough to make a run at the NCAA Tournament
Where recruit star rankings come from
Which programs could be headed for a coaching change
A look at the top college free agents
What Northern Michigan needs to do to become more competitive
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Now, let’s get into today’s newsletter.
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Maryville University will announce Division I hockey program soon
Maryville has reached its fundraising targets and is expected to formally announce the launch of its Division I men’s hockey program in the near future, sources confirmed.
The university informed donors and other key university personnel this week. Maryville launched a $5.5 million campaign aimed at upgrading its facilities, including the addition of roughly 12,000 square feet to the Maryville University Hockey Center, which currently serves as the home of the school’s ACHA club team.
Planning for those facility upgrades is already underway, with optimism that construction will be completed in time for the 2027–28 season.
An announcement could come as early as the first week of March, in conjunction with Lindenwood University hosting the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup near St. Louis.
On the ice, Maryville has begun exploring Division I opponents for next season as it positions itself for the transition. A formal timeline for the program’s acceptance into the full Division I structure has not yet been announced, but it’s believed that the first full season as a D-I program would be 2027-28.
What does this do for the possibility of a new conference?
That’s the million-dollar question.
