The WCHA, which is losing seven of its 12 members for the 2013-14 season, has invited five members of the CCHA to join it starting that season.

Alaska Fairbanks, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State and Western Michigan have 30 days to decide.

The six-team Big Ten forms in 2013-14, with Minnesota and Wisconsin leaving the WCHA. Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State will leave the CCHA, and Penn State is starting a program.

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference also will start in 2013-14, taking Minnesota Duluth, North Dakota, Denver, Nebraska Omaha and Colorado College from the WCHA and Miami Ohio from the CCHA. Notre Dame is expected to join either the NCHC or Hockey East.

Etc. • The No. 12-rated Gophers volleyball team opens its season against No. 1 Southern Cal at 5 p.m. Friday in the AVCA Showcase at Penn State.

• The Swarm announced that assistant coach Joe Sullivan will become associate general manager along with his coaching duties. Bob Keast was named assistant coach and Jake Elliott the director of western scouting.

• The Saints released pitcher Edwin Walker.

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS