The college hockey landscape is due for a big change following the announcement of a merger between College Hockey America (CHA) and the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA), the conferences announced Tuesday.

CHA, a women’s hockey league, and the AHA, a men’s hockey league, have shared the same commissioner and conference staff since 2010 but have functioned separately with different boards of directors and bylaws. The change comes amid the hiring of a new commissioner for the two conferences.

“Merging our two leagues gives us the opportunity to streamline our operations and build an enhanced brand in men’s and women’s ice hockey as a unified conference,” Atlantic Hockey and College Hockey America Commissioner Michelle Morgan said in a release. “Joining forces under one name provides a strong foundation for both leagues as we build a new experience for our current and future men’s and women’s student-athletes, coaches and fans.” 

Penn State women’s hockey currently competes in CHA along with Lindenwood, Mercyhurst, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Syracuse. Robert Morris Univesity will join the conference this upcoming season. The Nittany Lions are the reigning CHA conference champions.

The merger will go into effect for the 2024-25 season.