USA Hockey has extended its deal with the American Collegiate Hockey Association ©USA Hockey

USA Hockey has extended its deal with the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) for another five years.

The partnership aims to support playing and coaching opportunities for men and women in non-varsity college ice hockey across the United States.

Included in the agreement is the renewed support of the ACHA National Championships by USA Hockey, while both organisations will continue to work together to field men's and women's national university teams.

These sides will compete at the Winter Universiade. 

More than 500 men's and women's teams currently play non-varsity college ice hockey under the ACHA banner.

They compete in five divisions across the US.

"We look forward to what the future will bring with the continuation of our long-standing partnership with the ACHA," said Pat Kelleher, the executive director of USA Hockey. 

American teams will be fielded at editions of the Winter Universiade ©Getty Images
American teams will be fielded at editions of the Winter Universiade ©Getty Images

"As our sport has continued to grow, the ACHA has provided an important outlet for women and men to play hockey on college campuses all across the country."

The ACHA has grown to its current status from just 15 teams in 1991.

"The ACHA is proud to continue and solidify the relationship that currently exists with USA Hockey," said ACHA President Paul Hebert.

"Our member institutions and, most importantly, the thousands of student-athletes that play ACHA hockey annually will continue to reap the benefits of the solid partnership between USA Hockey and the ACHA.  

"We look forward to working closely with USA Hockey in the years to come and to developing new opportunities to promote the ACHA, USA Hockey and the game of hockey itself."