Athletic directors and head coaches from six schools met Wednesday in Colorado Springs to introduce college hockey's newest conference, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which will begin play in 2013-14.

Colorado College, Denver, Miami, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota are the original members of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, with the possibility to add other schools. Each of the six conference members reached the NCAA Tournament in 2010-11.

"The common thread among all institutions is a commitment to maintain a high quality level of college hockey," said Denver head coach George Gwozdecky. "The conference will provide a known structure and framework in the foreseeable future, which each institution can use as stability moving forward in these challenging times with our sport. The conference realignment started to happen this past spring. We believe this provided an opportunity to assess the landscape and make decisions for what's in the best interest of each institution and college hockey as a whole."

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference will begin play in 2013-14, the same as the Big Ten Conference that will feature Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin.

These developments have generated some concern among college hockey fans about the CCHA and WCHA programs not involved in the two new endeavors. Those schools have already begun exploring options to ensure their ongoing strength.

"It's important not to underestimate the strength of our college hockey programs across the country," said Paul Kelly, Executive Director of College Hockey, Inc. "Many of these schools boast a rich history in the game, strong facilities and vibrant support from communities and alumni. College hockey will continue to thrive in those environments."

Meanwhile, the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference may create opportunities for additional exposure in the sport. Athletic directors at the press conference noted the possibility for media partnerships including national television broadcasts.

"With 30 percent of NHL players coming from college hockey, our game is a good fit for national television," Kelly said. "Ratings for the Frozen Four were up significantly in 2011. Viewers enjoy the product on the ice and the unique atmosphere of the college game."

A national search for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's first commissioner as well as work on other organizational details will move forward after today's announcement.