About the Program:
 

The Stallion Hockey Club of Western Michigan University is a registered student organization and a member of the WMU Sports Club Council. The Stallions play in Division 1 of the American Colllegiate Hockey Association and are members of the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey Conference (GLCHL).

​

The Stallions were started in 1995 by Chris Winchester and Paul Kettlehut and played their first season at the ACHA Division II level, winning the ACHA Division II National Championship! The Stallions moved up to the Division I level and have been there ever since.

​

We know you have questions - hopefully these answers help you

​

What is Club Hockey?

• Club Hockey is very similar to NCAA hockey, with the same types of eligibility requirements for players, and can give young athletes a chance to continue their hockey career while attending WMU. There are hundreds of teams among 3 different men's divisions in the U.S., with the ACHA serving as the sole governing body for club hockey in the United States. 
   

What is the ACHA?

• The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) is the governing body for club hockey in the United States. At the Division 1 level, there are over 70 teams that compete for the National Championship each season, and many more at the Division 2 and 3 level. 

​

What is the difference between the Club Division 1 and Division 3 programs?

• Besides the level of play and the cost, the main difference between D1 and D3 is the number of games and practices. At the Division 1 level, the team will practice 3 times each week, with games almost every weekend from mid-September until mid-March. For Division 3, they will generally practice twice a week, and start later in October. 

• If you are interested in the D3 Program, visit their website.

​

What is the GLCHL?

• The Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League (GLCHL) is one of the premier leagues in the country. The league is currently made up of Adrian College, Calvin College, Davenport University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Oakland University, and the Stallions. 

​

Are the Stallions funded by the University? / Do players have to pay?

• The Stallions are part of the Sports Club Council at Western Michigan, and while they are not directly funded by the University, the SCC helps to reimburse some costs associated with club sports each semester. Each player that is offered a spot on the team does pay to be a part of the program, with the average full season cost being around $3,000.

​

Do the Stallions have a locker room?

• Yes! The Stallions play out of Wings West Ice Arena, located about 10 minutes away from campus. At the rink, the Stallions have a state of the art locker room, offering a professional environment to aid in the quest for a national championship. 

​

Do Stallions go on to play for the Broncos?

• Yes! While the chances of moving up full time to the NCAA Division 1 program are slim, there have been a number of players that have made the jump. 

​

Have Stallions played professional hockey?

• Yes! Most recently, Brandon Hasse, a former Stallions goaltender is playing professional hockey in Europe. For the Stallions that are ready to make the next step to professional hockey, our coaching staff can help connect those players with professional teams both in the U.S. and overseas!