The conference will be unique in its purpose as its mission will be to grow college hockey at universities that are members of Power Five Conferences and currently do not have an NCAA team. The ACCHL is charged with creating a conference whose members meet that mission and include the following parameters:
- Member of a “Power 5 Conference” with historical and current athletic success, making them an NCAA athletic brand name.
- The top team at their university, meaning there is no NCAA team.
- A well-organized and fully developed ACHA program.
- Currently enjoys widespread fan support.