Fred Pletsch Named Commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association

Fred Pletsch has taken a big step forward in his career. He was named the new commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association on Monday.

“I have never worked in anything but hockey,” Pletsch said. “Hockey is my passion.”

Pletsch said that the guidance of the former commissioner, Tom Anastos, helped him to feel confident in his choice to accept the offer.

“All the time I worked for Tom Anastos…he was a wonderful person to work for,” Pletsch said. “Working for Tom was a great preparation for being in a position to accept this job. He included me in everything he did.”

This isn’t the first time that Pletsch has followed in Anastos’ footsteps. In 1998, Pletsch was hired as commissioner for the North American Hockey League when Anastos left that spot to join the CCHA.

Pletsch and his family moved from Canada to Canton in 1998, and though all four of his children were born in Canada, the Canton community is home.

“It’s close and accessible to basically anything you want to do,” Pletsch said of Canton. “You want to get to lakes, you want to get to some good recreation areas, you want to get to big city pro sporting events, and it still has a sense of community.”

Pletsch took the position of director of communications for the CCHA in 2001. Anastos left the CCHA to take on the role of head coach for the Michigan State Spartans hockey team. Having served in the same role for the last 10 years, Pletsch said he is ready for the change.

“I’m sure this is going to re-energize me,” he said. “It’s always good to get a new opportunity along with all the challenges that come with it.”

While it is true that Pletsch is taking on a new role, the world of hockey is one that is very familiar to him. Two of his sons are involved in the sport, as well as his father-in-law and brother-in-law. His father, Fred Pletsch, played with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League and on the 1953 Memorial Cup championship team with Don Cherry.

The CCHA, founded in 1971-72, comprises Alaska, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Northern Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Western Michigan. Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State will be leaving after the 2012-13 season, which Pletsch said will be a challenge.

“There are two seasons left as an 11-team league,” Pletsch said. “We have to make sure that we maintain the highest standard of service and professionalism that have been kind of synonymous with the league office operations.”

This maintaining of the service provided to member organizations is just one part of what Pletsch considers his responsibilities. The other is leading the way into the future.

“The second part (of my priorities) is navigating the changing landscape of college hockey,” Pletsch said. “Hopefully, preparing and charting a course for the remaining eight teams of how they are going to fit into that landscape of the newly configured CCHA.”

The 2011-12 CCHA season will begin in October.