The athletics directors of the six Big Ten schools that have or will have men’s ice hockey announced Monday their intention to recommend the sport be established as an official conference sport beginning in the 2013-14 academic year.

While there are five schools in the Big Ten that now have ice hockey — Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Wisconsin — the schools do not compete in the conference. However, in September 2010, Penn State announced that it would begin hockey in 2012. By the Big Ten’s rules, there must be six teams to have a conference championship for a sport, so the Nittany Lions’ eventual addition would make it possible for there to be a Big Ten ice hockey tourney.

The decision for hockey in the Midwest is not final, however. While the six schools voted unanimously to recommend Big Ten ice hockey, the decision must be voted on by the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors in June.

There has not been a new sport in the Big Ten since the 1999-2000 academic year, when women’s rowing was added.

— by Ian Martin