CHICAGO — Illinois will partner with the NHL and NHLPA to evaluate the possible addition of hockey as a varsity sport. The NHL and NHLPA will fund feasability studies at five universities across the country — Illinois being the first — exploring the potential of adding men's and women's hockey programs.
The studies were announced Friday afternoon at a joint press conference hosted by the NHL at the United Center before the start of the 2017 NHL Draft. Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman was among the speakers in attendance.
"The idea of varsity hockey at the University of Illinois has great appeal," Whitman said in a release.