CCHA commish gets 5-year extension

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that commissioner Tom Anastos has agreed to a five-year contract extension that runs through the 2011-12 season.

The announcement was made by Tom Nevala, Notre Dame's associate athletic director for business operations, who served as chairperson of the CCHA Executive Committee during the renewal process.

"The members of the CCHA have the utmost confidence in Tom's leadership, and we look forward to his continued good stewardship of our league during these years to come," said Nevala in making the announcement.

Anastos, recognized by The Hockey News as No. 81 on the list of the 100 most influential and powerful people in the sport, is in his ninth season as commissioner, having been named to the post on March 18, 1998.

Some of the most notable accomplishments during his tenure include:

-- Spearheading the emphasis, prior to the 2004-05 season, to eliminate obstruction in the college game, a move that has subsequently been followed by all levels throughout North America.

-- Leading the initiative to bring the 2010 Frozen Four to Detroit's Ford Field where college hockey's marquee event will be held in a non-traditional hockey arena for the first time.

-- Creating 'Hockey Day in Michigan,' a statewide celebration of the sport, in collaboration with FSN Detroit and the Detroit Red Wings.

-- Broadening television coverage through agreements with FSN Detroit, CSTV, ESPNU and Toronto-based Leafs TV.

-- Facilitating entry of the highly successful Nebraska-Omaha program into the CCHA in 1999-2000.

"It's been my pleasure to work for, and with, such a terrific group of people and universities," commented Anastos. "I appreciate their support and confidence. Together, we can look forward to pursuing some ambitious objectives for our league during the next five years."

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a 12-team, Division-I hockey conference, with offices based in Farmington Hills. Founded in 1971, the league has won seven NCAA championships in the past 22 years.