WCHA Expanding

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The University of Nebraska at Omaha and Bemidji (Minn.) State will join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association after this season, expanding the league to 12 teams.

UNO had been part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Bemidji State was with the College Hockey America league. The Beavers said the four-team CHA will disband after next season.

UNO entered the Michigan-based CCHA for the 1999-2000 season after the school's efforts to join the WCHA stalled.

The WCHA, which announced the expansion Friday, also includes Alaska-Anchorage, Colorado College, Denver, Michigan Tech,
Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State-Mankato, North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Wisconsin.