HAMMOND & WESTVILLE, Ind. -- The Purdue Northwest Men's Ice Hockey team has joined the NCHL with conference membership. This acceptance brings league membership up to 11 teams, allowing the NCHL to embark on a truly innovative divisional structure within the ACHA. While details of this divisional structure will be forthcoming, NCHL Commissioner Dan Breunig says, "the goal of this new divisional structure is to provide member teams top-level competition, allow them the flexibility to optimize their schedules, and provide the best experience for their student-athletes."
 
Kevin Cole, head coach of PNW, has been tasked with building the PNW program from the ground up and when he was looking at prospective leagues to join he saw "the competitiveness of the NCHL and the professionalism that is exuded by the current teams," and knew he wanted to join the conference. Having spent two seasons at Trine University, Cole was immersed in a program that excelled and can see the NCHL's commitment to high level competition. 
 
According to Breunig, Cole pledged to "creating a winning culture and bringing the same focus, energy and commitment he had at Trine." During their inaugural season numerous NCHL teams scheduled series with PNW and were impressed with the direction Cole has his program headed, making it an easy decision to accept their application.