Frozen Out: Lobos Hockey kept out of ACHA Regionals due to eligiblity issues

When ACHA Hockey posted their playoff brackets online earlier today, one thing was missing.

The University of New Mexico Lobos.

Just two days after speaking with the Observer about their upcoming trip to Salt Lake City, the West Coast Hockey Conference champions were told their spot in Utah was no more, due to eligibility issues.

Ice Lobos team manager Neal Weaver released a statement on the program's Facebook page Thursday afternoon.

“Due to an eligibility compliance ruling by the ACHA, the team will not be participating in the West Regional Tournament this weekend,” Weaver wrote. “The team does not agree with the ACHA determination, as the team followed all published rules, and are, after the fact, being told we should have been following additional, and unwritten, eligibility practices.”

UNM was set to play Arizona State in the opening round of the West Regional, with that spot now going to the University of Montana Grizzlies in the eight-versus-nine seed matchup.

“This is an incredibly difficult outcome for our program, especially for our student-athletes who have committed themselves over the past year both on the ice and in the classroom,” Weaver wrote. “From early morning workouts to late-night practices, long road trips, and the daily balance of academics, jobs, and life, this group has represented the University of New Mexico with pride, discipline, and resilience.”

This decision comes just 11 days after the Lobos punched what looked to be their ticket to the regional tournament, beating Northern Arizona and aforementioned ASU to become WCHC champions and earn the conference’s automatic bid.

This would’ve been UNM’s first trip to a regional/national tournament since 2022, when they played in the Division III Nationals, making it the first tournament bid since becoming a Division II program.

New Mexico was in the midst of a historic run for the program, but it will now come to a close. Not via a loss or elimination, but a ruling.

“While we respect the role of league governance, we also believe strongly in the importance of clear, consistent, and transparent expectations, particularly in a club model that relies heavily on student leadership and volunteer support,” Weaver wrote. “Our program has always operated in good faith, following the processes and guidance provided. We cannot, however, follow guidelines that are not shared or published.”

Fans were quick to voice their displeasure with the league's decision online, but through the frustration, the program still took time to honor everything the team, seniors and organization had accomplished.

“We are proud of this group,” Weaver wrote. “Not just for their performance, but for who they are as students, teammates, and young men. This outcome does not define their season, their effort, or their growth.”

The club will now try to work with the ACHA on settling matters, and then, it will be a seven-month hiatus until Lobo Hockey returns.

“We will use this moment as motivation ... to grow, to improve, and to come back stronger,” Weaver wrote. “Team leadership has exhausted legally supported appeals. However, we will continue to work with the ACHA to ensure that all teams are treated fairly, and that enforcement comes only from published, and not assumed, rules and regulations.”