USA Central Hockey League

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USA Central Hockey League

Overview
The USA Central Hockey League (USACHL) was a short‑lived junior ice hockey league based in Texas. It positioned itself as a free‑to‑play league, not sanctioned by USA Hockey, and aimed to mirror some aspects of the traditional junior system while separating itself from pay‑to‑play formats.

History
The USACHL was announced in March 2018, founded by Bill Davidson (owner of the El Paso Buzzards) and Rick Kozuback (a Western Professional Hockey League founder). Troy Mick was named the league’s first president. The plan was to run a 60‑game regular season from October to March, with an initial goal of six teams in cities tied to the former Central Hockey League.

Four teams were introduced:
- Laredo Bucks — Laredo, Texas (Sames Auto Arena)
- Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees — Hidalgo, Texas (State Farm Hidalgo Arena)
- Wichita Falls Force — Wichita Falls, Texas (Kay Yeager Coliseum)
- Texas Lawmen — McAllen, Texas / Hidalgo, Texas (home venues Frio Grande Valley Ice Center and Hidalgo Arena)

The league’s first game took place on October 26, 2018, with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees defeating the Laredo Bucks.

Challenges and collapse
Early in the season, several games were postponed due to rink and arena issues. The league’s leadership underwent changes, and a deal to purchase the Hidalgo arena fell through, forcing the Lawmen to play in different venues and sometimes without selling tickets.

On November 14, 2018, USACHL’s social media accounts were shut down or hijacked, and the league began to reclaim and relaunch its online presence. By late November, attendance and player shortages led to a three‑on‑three showcase game, and the Lawmen were reduced to three players by late November with their coaching staff resigning. The Lawmen then ceased operations, and several Wichita Falls games were canceled due to logistics and payments issues. By December, Force and Bucks players were departing, and Wichita Falls’ organization faced further complications. On December 7, 2018, the league canceled the remainder of its season, despite later statements that it hoped to return for the 2019–20 season, which ultimately did not happen.

Teams
- Laredo Bucks (Laredo, Texas) — Sames Auto Arena
- Coaches: Wayne Smith (until late October) and Jarred Mohr (October–December)
- Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (Hidalgo, Texas) — Hidalgo Arena
- Coaches: John Ollson (preseason), Kyle Christensen (co‑coach), Terry Christensen (co‑coach)
- Texas Lawmen (McAllen, Texas / Hidalgo, Texas) — Frio Grande Valley Ice Center and Hidalgo Arena
- Coaches: Ryan Egan (until mid‑November), Matt Barth (until November 29)
- Wichita Falls Force (Wichita Falls, Texas) — Kay Yeager Coliseum
- Coaches: Misko Antisin (preseason), Jesse Davis (until December 1)

Outcome
The USACHL operated for part of the 2018–19 season but folded amid financial and organizational problems. It did not resume for the 2019–20 season, leaving it as a brief experiment in Texas junior hockey.