Centene Community Ice Center to host 2022 ACHA National Championships

TROY, Mich. - The American Collegiate Hockey Association, the governing body for non-varsity collegiate hockey in the United States, announced today that it has selected St. Louis, Missouri as the site for the 2022 ACHA National Championships. The ten-day event will be hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues.

More than 1,500 players from at least 72 teams across all five ACHA divisions-Men's Division 1, 2, and 3 and Women's Divisions 1 and 2 will converge upon the suburban St. Louis area to compete in more than 100 games.

The 2022 ACHA National Championships will be played from March 10 through March 20, 2022 at the Centene Community Ice Arena in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The Centene Community Ice Center, which opened in September 2019, is the practice facility for the NHL St. Louis Blues as well as the home of Lindenwood University's hockey programs. The ACHA will also utilize the Maryville University Hockey Center in nearby Chesterfield, Missouri, for overflow games and practices.

"St. Louis is such a great location for the ACHA and its member schools across all divisions," said ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett. "About half of all ACHA member teams, in both the men's and women's divisions, are within an eight to ten-hour drive to St. Louis. With the support of the St. Louis Sports Commission and the Blues, we're looking forward to a great event to showcase the very best of ACHA hockey and to crown five division champions at the Centene Community Ice Center in 2022!"

"We are proud to bring another marquee collegiate hockey tournament to St. Louis," said Blues President and CEO Chris Zimmerman. "This is the Heartland of Hockey and the Centene Community Ice Center is the hub of hockey development in the Midwest. Hosting the ACHA National Championship is a testament to the St. Louis community and the great strides we have made in growing our great sport throughout the region."

"The ACHA National Championship is exactly the type of event we had dreamed of hosting when designing the Centene Community Ice Center," said Patrick Quinn, Chairman of the St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation. "A chance to showcase one of hockey's largest amateur events here in The Heartland of Hockey in a world-class facility ideally suited for players and fans alike. Not only will local fans get to choose from over 100 games, our region's businesses will see nearly $3 Million in economic impact as the tournament fills nearly 5,000 room nights during their stay and visitors enjoy the St. Louis sites and food scene."

"We are thrilled to host the ACHA National Championships in St. Louis," said St. Louis Sports Commission Vice President Chris Roseman. "Along with our partners, we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Heartland of Hockey and creating a first-class experience for the student-athletes, coaches, and fans representing at least 72 teams from around the country."

About American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) is a recognized 501(c)3 organization of over 500 college and university-affiliated programs which provides structure, regulates operations, and promotes the quality of collegiate ice hockey throughout the United States. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, the ACHA's primary mission is to support the growth and development of college hockey programs nationwide. The ACHA identifies standards which serve to unite and regulate teams at the collegiate level and enters its 30th season in September 2020. For more information, please visit achahockey.org.

About the St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues have been a part of the NHL since 1967. During more than 50 years of operation, the organization has established itself as one of the premier professional sports franchises in the country. With a Stanley Cup, ten division titles, a Presidents' Trophy and more than 20 former team members enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Blues have etched one of the most storied histories in the NHL. Through their history, the Blues have hosted more than 35 million fans and invested millions in the St. Louis community via Blues for Kids, the team's charitable foundation. For more information, please visit stlouisblues.com.

About St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation
The St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation was founded to provide the St. Louis region - with an emphasis on youth - with the opportunity to develop their skills in ice sports in setting that foster personal growth and excellence. The St. Louis Community Ice Center is our "flagship" facility ensures that our region will attract major ice sport events and tournaments, contributing to economic development and job creation, with the resulting effect of strengthening ice sports across our region. In these and related endeavors, we champion the value inherent in ice sports: commitment, good sportsmanship, teamwork, personal integrity, and respect for others and self. For more information, please visit www.legacyice.org.

About St. Louis Sports Commission
The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately-funded nonprofit organization that grows, strengthens and moves St. Louis forward through sports. The organization uses the power of sports to enhance the area's quality of life and generate economic and social benefit for the St. Louis region. For more information, please visit stlsports.org.

About Maryland Heights
Maryland Heights is home to more than 27,000 residents and 1,600 businesses, making it a major employment center for the region. The city is also a hospitality and entertainment destination, hosting over 3,800 hotel rooms and numerous dining, recreation and entertainment opportunities Maryland Heights is a great place to live, work and visit. For more information, please visit www.marylandheights.com.