The Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced today it will be pursuing the possibility of expanding its membership from 10 to 12 teams in the near future, according to UWBadgers.com.

As a first step toward doing so, the WCHA lifted its moratorium on expansion as of today and continuing indefinitely. According to the commissioner's office, the earliest the league would be able to expand to 12 teams is the 2011-12 season due to contractual obligations.

"The Western Collegiate Hockey Association membership today took a positive step forward in their decision to embrace possible expansion," WCHA Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod said. "And we will continue to explore we may expand once we have completed further studies and once we have been able to identify potential members that fit the league's criteria for membership."

One possible new member could be Bemidiji State University, an original member of the WCHA women's league, who presented an application for membership in the WCHA at Monday's annual league meeting in Marco Island, Fla.

According to WKOW, former Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints Monday night.

Ranking 3rd all time on UW's rushing list, Hill went undrafted after declaring a season early for the NFL. Hill rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons, but a DUI citation on March 16th may have cost him a spot in the draft.

Hill will have to compete with former No. 2 overall pick Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas for playing time in the Saints' backfield.

After losing four seniors and WCHA Player of the Year Jamie McBain to the NHL, Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves signed two new recruits for the 2009-10 season.

Brett Bennett, a goaltender from Williamsville, N.Y, and defenseman John Ramage of Chesterfield, Mo., will be added to the roster to try to fill the spots of the departed players.

For more information, check out today's paper or go online to www.badgerherald.com.