The first full weekend of Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) action is here as all eight programs go head-to-head for the first time in the 2026-27 campaign. Ohio State (6-0-0, 4-0-0 WCHA) and Minnesota (4-0-0, 2-0-0 WCHA) meet as the only undefeated teams in the league, while the weekend is filled with a trio of nationally-ranked series.
The WCHA Weekly notes packet, presented by OS Hockey, are updated each week (PDF Archives).
UPCOMING SCHEDULE - All times Central
Friday, Oct. 16
No. 12/11 Minnesota Duluth at Bemidji State - 6 p.m. (Conf.)
No. 10/9 St. Cloud State at RV St. Thomas - 6 p.m. (Conf.)
No. 1 Ohio State at No. 3 Minnesota - 6 p.m. (Conf.)
RV/ No. 15 Minnesota State at No. 2 Wisconsin - 7 p.m. (Conf.)
Saturday, Oct. 17
RV/No. 15 Minnesota State at No. 2 Wisconsin - 2 p.m. (Conf.)
No. 1 Ohio State at No. 3 Minnesota - 2 p.m. (Conf.)
No. 10/9 St. Cloud State at RV St. Thomas - 2 p.m. (Conf.)
No. 12/11 Minnesota Duluth at Bemidji State - 3 p.m. (Conf.)
WCHA NEWSLETTER
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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 as the entire library of events and programming on B1G+, is available in both annual ($89.99) and monthly ($12.99) options.
FOX9+: The Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced that it will have a minimum of 20 games featured on FOX9+ during the 2026-27 season. Fans can watch all eight WCHA teams compete in 17 regular-season matchups and three games at the 2027 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff. Click HERE for the full FOX9+ broadcast schedule.
GET YOUR GEAR TODAY
WCHA Merch Alert: 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 the Game One online store at the link HERE.
GAME NOTES
WCHA Tops USCHO Poll: Seven of eight WCHA programs appear in the latest the USCHO Poll. Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota continue to hold the top three slots, while St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth follow at No. 10 and No. 12, respectively. Minnesota State and St. Thomas continue to receive increased votes as they look to crack into the Top-15 polls.
WCHA Against the Rest: WCHA teams continues to dominate in nonconference action, combining for a 17-3-0 record (.850) in play against Hockey East, Atlantic Hockey, and ECAC Hockey. The WCHA remains undefeated against Atlantic Hockey and NEWHA teams.
In the Win Column: Two WCHA teams remain undefeated this season in Minnesota (4-0-0) and Ohio State (6-0-0). The 6-0-0 start is the best start for the Buckeyes since going 8-0-0 to kick off the 2022-23 campaign.
Points on the Line: This weekend marks the first full weekend of conference play, with all eight WCHA teams going head-to-head for the first time in the 2026-27 campaign. Three of four are also matchups between nationally-ranked programs.
Backstopped in Duluth: As freshman netminder Marilou Grenier made 24 saves against St. Thomas on Oct. 10, she recorded her first career shutout. On the season, three of Minnesota Duluth’s four wins this season have come behind shutout performances, with the other two recorded by Eve Gascon.
Coaching Milestones: Minnesota’s Greg “Boom” May earned his first career win at the helm of the program with a 5-2 victory at Bemidji State on Friday, Oct. 2. On Saturday, Oct. 3, Minnesota Duluth’s Laura Schuler earned her 100th career win as an NCAA DI head coach.
Trick Plays: St. Cloud State sophomore Maria Mikaelyan net the league’s first hat trick of the season on Oct. 2 against Minnesota State. She added another pair of goals on Oct. 3 for a six-point weekend by five goals and one assist.
Strong Shorties: In the first weekend of conference play, Bemidji State’s Hailey Armstrong tallied the WCHA’s first shorthanded goal of the season, against Minnesota (Oct. 3). It was the second shorthand tally of Armstrong’s career, the other against Ohio State on Sept. 27, 2024.
Frozen Tundra Faceoff: The WCHA & TEG Sport announced that college hockey will return to Green Bay, Wis. for the first time since 2006, as Wisconsin and Ohio State face on Saturday, Feb. 20, in the The Frozen Tundra Faceoff at historic Lambeau Field.
23-Time National Champions: Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 3-2 to secure the league’s 23rd national championship in 2026, while the Badgers secured their ninth title in program history.
WCHA Preseason Poll: Ohio State, the 2026 WCHA Final Faceoff champion and National Runner Up, topped the WCHA Preseason Coaches Poll. Last year’s NCAA Champion in Wisconsin was predicted to finish second, trailed by Minnesota in third. Minnesota Duluth was selected to finish fourth after its NCAA Tournament appearance, followed by Minnesota State, St. Cloud State, St. Thomas, and Bemidji State.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.