HOLLAND -- The Hope College hockey team has received an automatic bid to play in the national tournament of the American Collegiate Hockey Association  (ACHA) in Springfield, Mo. from March 12-16

The Flying Dutchmen (20-5) are the #2 seed behind Davenport from the North Region. This will be Hope's 12th consecutive year of qualifying for the the national tournament. A year ago Hope finished eighth at the national tournament. The team has finished as high as second nationally three times (2003-2010, 2011).

The 16-team  tournament will open with pool play to determine the championship bracket.