The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) announced today the additions of Kendall Nelson and Dillon Loft to the league office staff for the 2025-26 season. Nelson will serve as the Communications & Digital Content Intern, and Loft will serve as the Operations Intern for both the WCHA and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

"We are excited to welcome Kendall and Dillon to the WCHA team," said WCHA Commissioner Michelle McAteer. "Both are familiar with our members' schools, come highly recommended, possess skill sets that will add value to our staff, and are eager to support and advance the league's initiatives."

Nelson joins the league from the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she serves as the Video, Operations, and Social Media Assistant for the Women’s Hockey program, along with working as an Athletics Communications Intern for the Bulldogs. Nelson is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Professional Sales at Minnesota Duluth, as well as a Business Graphics Certificate from Northwood Technical College.

In her role with the WCHA, Nelson will assist with the league's overall communications efforts, the management of all its social media platforms, and aid in content creation for the upcoming season. 

Loft currently works as a Sport Operations Graduate Assistant at Minnesota State, where he primarily helps oversee event operations and management, while also working directly with officials and visiting teams. Before his role as a Graduate Assistant, Loft spent one season as a Hockey Operations Student Assistant for Minnesota State Women’s Hockey. Before that, Loft spent two seasons as a student assistant for Minnesota State Football. Loft is a 2024 graduate of Minnesota State with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Marketing. He is currently set to graduate with his master’s in Sport Management in the Spring of 2026.

Loft will assist with meeting management, fiscal and logistical operations, championship and special event support, and general administration for the league, as well as take a lead role in officiating video services support for the 2025-26 season. 

For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league online at WCHA.com and follow @WCHA_WHockey on X, Instagram, and Facebook.