The pool of eligible players for NCAA Division I hockey swelled last fall with the addition of CHL players. Despite the increase, the number of teams at the Division I level has dropped to 62, with Mercyhurst University discontinuing their program for 2026-27. Restoring The Rink examines programs that have gone defunct and their viability in today’s market. History: Marquette University founded their men's hockey program in 1922. According to the Department of Special Collections and University Archives [https://cdm16280.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4007hilltop/id/34026] at Marquette University Libraries, the Golden Eagles won the Western Intercollegiate Championship in 1928 [https://cdm16280.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4007hilltop/id/40955] and 1930 [https://cdm16280.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4007hilltop/id/19398]. The University even had both a co-ed [https://cdm16280.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4007hilltop/id/41066]and a Nurses Hockey Team [https://cdm16280.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4007hilltop/id/41067]. Sadly, the program fizzled out after the 1932-33 campaign as the Great Depression grew and budgets shrank. The Golden Eagles remain as a club team [https://muhockey.com], competing at the ACHA Division 2 Level. They play at the Ponds of Brookfield, in the suburbs of Milwaukee. Teammate congratulate Milwaukee Admirals center Austin Roest (63) on his goal against the San Jose Barracuda in the first period of a game Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/388bd500-5864-4d4e-b1bd-a6498ed904da.jpeg] Teammate congratulate Milwaukee Admirals center Austin Roest (63) on his goal against the San Jose Barracuda in the first period of a game Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Hockey Impact: Even without an NCAA Division I program, Milwaukee's hockey market has expanded rapidly. The Milwaukee Admirals are one of the premier franchises in the American Hockey League. Their home rink, UW-Panther Arena, is adjacent to the campus of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. If fans are looking for NCAA hockey, the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Raiders compete at the Division III level. They host games at the Kern Center, just minutes away from the Admirals. MSOE recently expanded their hockey program to include women's hockey at the NCAA Division III level. Wisconsin Windigo players celebrate following a goal at the Ponds of Brookfield. Photo courtesy @wisconsinwindigo via Instagram [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4c309346-dfb8-4be2-8cef-0a762913302f.jpeg] Wisconsin Windigo players celebrate following a goal at the Ponds of Brookfield. Photo courtesy @wisconsinwindigo via Instagram On the junior side, the North American Hockey League's (NAHL) Wisconsin Windigo also plays at Ponds of Brookfield. The facility is beginning a renovation [https://www.gmtoday.com/the_freeman/news/brookfield-ponds-locker-room-upgrade/article_8750274d-0ae1-5ce7-a4d7-a7ffaff60c22.html], its first since 1998. [https://www.facebook.com/100057410259941/posts/for-immediate-releasebrookfield-wi-the-ponds-of-brookfield-announces-first-major/1452652946658367/] These upgrades include three new locker rooms and a 5,200 square foot addition. The Windigo are the reigning NAHL Central Division Champions, appearing in their first ever Robertson Cup last season. Market Viability: Despite Marquette's size, it's clear the Milwaukee hockey market is supersaturated. Add in the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and the sports market is ready to burst at the seams. Knowing how much Marquette cares about its athletics and the current surplus of sports, especially hockey, I do not believe the market could not support another hockey team.
