The 2025-26 Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) season begins this Friday, September 19th. The opening weekend sees four teams competing in regular-season non-conference action to begin the 27th season of competition in the WCHA.
The WCHA Weekly notes packet presented by OS Hockey will be updated every week (Open PDF files on the right)
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 19
No. 6 Minnesota Duluth at RV Mercyhurst - 5 PM
Minnesota State at RPI - 5 PM
Lindenwood at No. 13 St. Cloud State - 6 PM
Saturday, Sept. 20
No. 6 Minnesota Duluth at RV Mercyhurst - 12 PM
RV St. Thomas at Post University - 1:45 PM
Minnesota State at RPI - 2 PM
Lindenwood at St. Cloud State - 2 PM
No. 3 Minnesota vs Bemidji State (Exhibition) - 3 PM
Sunday, Sept. 21
RV St. Thomas at Post University - 11 AM
Durham at No. 2 Ohio State (Exhibition) - 2 PM
**All times in CT
WHERE TO WATCH
Back on B1G+: Fans can stream all WCHA home games on B1G+. To subscribe, download the B1G+ app or visit bigtenplus.com. A B1G+ subscription, which provides access to WCHA hockey games as well the entire library of events and programming on B1G+, is available in both annual ($89.99) and monthly ($12.99) options.
WCHA Tops USCHO Preseason Poll: In the USCHO Preseason Poll, six of the league’s eight teams were recognized as Wisconsin took the number one spot, followed by No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Minnesota, No. 6 Minnesota Duluth, and No. 13 St. Cloud State. St. Thomas was receiving votes in the poll.
22X National Champions: Last season, No. 1 Wisconsin defeated No. 2 Ohio State in a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory to secure the league’s 22nd national championship title. The Badgers secured their eighth NCAA title in program history.
Opening Weekend: The opening weekend of the season sees four non-conference series on the slate as No. 6 Minnesota Duluth, No. 13 St. Cloud State, RV St. Thomas, and Minnesota State all begin their 2025-26 campaigns.
WCHA Preseason Poll: Wisconsin, the 2025 NCAA, WCHA Final Faceoff, and WCHA Regular Season champion, topped the WCHA Preseason Coaches Poll. Ohio State, last year’s NCAA runner-up, and Minnesota, an NCAA Frozen Four participant last season, tied for second place. Minnesota Duluth finished fourth after advancing to the NCAA Regional Final last season. St. Cloud State placed fifth, followed by St. Thomas, Minnesota State, and Bemidji State.
WCHA Preseason Honors: Wisconsin claimed both the WCHA preseason superlative honors as senior defender Caroline Harvey was named the Preseason Player of the Year and forward Adéla Šapovalivová earned the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year.
Top Returners: Five of last year’s Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top 10 Finalists are set to return to the WCHA this season in Wisconsin’s trio of Harvey, Laila Edwards, and Kirsten Simms, Ohio State’s Joy Dunne, and Minnesota’s Abbey Murphy.
Netminders to Watch: The 2025 Women’s Hockey Goalie of the Year award winner, Wisconsin’s Ava McNaughton, returns this season, along with Minnesota Duluth’s Ève Gascon, who was a finalist for the honor.
Return of the Julie Chu Rookie of the Year: Amongst other top returners to watch in the league this season is Minnesota Duluth’s Kaitlin Kraemer, who was last year’s 2025 Julie Chu Rookie of the Year. Kraemer was the first Bulldog in program history to win the honor.
New Husky at the Helm: Former WCHA standout Mira Jalosuo was selected as the seventh head coach in St. Cloud State program history on June 27th as she enters her first season at the helm of the Huskies.
Top Tommies: This upcoming year marks the first full season for Bethany Brausen as Head Coach of the St. Thomas program as Brausen officially took over the role this past January.
WCHA Online Store: The WCHA and Game One teamed up to launch a brand-new online store, giving fans across the league access to a wide selection of official WCHA apparel. Get your gear today by visiting shop.game-one.com/nw/nw1/wcha.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.