The CHA soldiers on...

The CHA has announced that they will play their conference tourney in Bemdiji this season. I think it is the right decision for the NCAA to allow the CHA to keep playing for a NCAA bid even though they only have four teams in the league. Why shouldn't they? None of the other leagues have stepped up to absorb these teams. I am still waiting for the day when the NCAA announces that these teams will be taken into a league or face the possibility of losing a few at large bids.

CHA Announces Tournament Locale; Wil Still Play for NCAA Bid
CHN Staff Report

College Hockey America will hold its conference tournament in Bemidji, Minn., this season -- and, more importantly, the tournament still has relevance in the sport as a whole.

The conference, which has often been on the brink of extinction -- and never moreso than following the folding of Wayne State's program after last season -- has received approval from the NCAA Championships and Competition Cabinet for an automatic bid to this year's NCAA tournament.

Typically, a conference must have six member schools in order to qualify for an automatic bid, according to NCAA by-laws. A rule was passed recently that allowed the CHA to qualify with only five -- but the departure of Wayne State dropped the CHA's membership to four.

Nonetheless, a waiver has been granted to the league, and will be reviewed on a year-to-year basis.
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The College Hockey America men's league is comprised of Alabama-Huntsville, Bemidji State, Niagara and Robert Morris. All but Robert Morris have on automatic NCAA bids in the past