On Aug. 8, 2024, the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) approved the University of Louisville’s nonvarsity men’s hockey team move from Division II to Division I beginning in the 2025-2026 season. Currently, the hockey team is in the Tri-State Collegiate Hockey League (TSCHL), and they are moving to the American Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL).
“By adding University of Louisville, University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State University, we are continuing our mission to grow the game in the southeast at the Men’s Division I level,” said ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett.
Five other schools—University of Alabama, University of Pittsburgh, University of Delaware, Syracuse University, and Stony Brook University—are also joining the ACCHL next season.
“I wasn’t too surprised,” said Brendan Hilinski, a junior defenseman (#3). “I kind of knew it was something that we’ve been working towards and I knew that we’d have the team to start, making that a thing, and I’m excited to move up next year.”
Despite the anticipation of joining a new league and playing against new schools, the team is looking forward to their last season in the TSCHL, as well. The TSCHL is the first conference the Cardinals have been a part of, and they won the championship in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
“This year, we just want to finish what we started and have fun doing it. So we’ve got good kids, we’ve got a good team. We’ve replaced good talent with good talent. It’s been a great preseason, and we’re excited to get started,” Head Coach Brian Graham said..
The University of Louisville Cardinals’ first game is Sept. 13, against East Texas Baptist. The game is at the Iceland Sports Complex and starts at 10:15 pm.
“I think those that have never watched a hockey game in person need to come out and check us out,” Graham said. “It’s a phenomenal game. I mean, the speed is awesome, the hitting is fantastic, the goals are exciting; everything about the game is just fast, high paced, and it’s just a lot of fun to do. So we’d love to see anybody out there.”
