Holden confirmed the development to the Herald but declined to discuss specifics. CBS also declined comment.
The move comes immediately after Holden called 20 games during the three-week NCHC Pod in Omaha last month for Midco Sports Network. Holden worked those games as a freelancer.
The Pod overlapped with college football season, and Holden had served as a play-by-play announcer for CBS's college football broadcasts.
"I've been in college hockey since 2004," Holden said. "I'm really glad I did the 20 games in Omaha. If I don't do any more games the rest of the season, I'm going to miss it. I love the fans. I love the sport and everything it stands for. I love the players, coaches and everyone associated with it. It's been a huge part of my life and career as a broadcaster since 2004."
Holden has been a distinct voice for college hockey broadcasts going back long before CBS Sports Network landed the NCHC's national television contract in 2013.
He called NCAA regionals on ESPN from 2007-15, including the memorable 2008 final between UND and Wisconsin in Madison's Kohl Center. UND won it on an Andrew Kozek overtime goal. He also called games on Comcast in the Detroit area from 2004-09.
Holden has been a fixture for the NCHC in many ways.
Along with color commentator Dave Starman and rinkside reporter Shireen Saski, Holden anchored the top broadcast team on CBS for NCHC games from the start.
He called the league's first-ever game in October 2013, UND at Miami in Oxford, Ohio. UND won that game 4-2.
He called games in the home arena of all eight NCHC teams (two different home arenas for Omaha). He also called NCHC tournaments in the Target Center and Xcel Energy Center as well as UND's destination game in New York City against Boston College in 2016.
"I've worked with Gary Thorne, Mike Emrick, Kenny Albert. . . and I've seen how the real big-time guys prepare," Starman said. "Ben's right there with those guys who have created their incredible careers because of their preparation. He's right on that level.
"His ability to convey who these players and programs are to the fan base, I thought was unique. His recognition of players who are under-the-radar is uncanny. He wanted to make sure stories about guys like Colten St. Clair, Bryn Chyzyk, Jade Miller got attention because he knew their families were watching the broadcasts and because it added to what we did."
Holden served as an emcee for league events, including the annual postseason awards banquet in the Twin Cities. He also voiced TV promos for the league.
Holden is currently charting a new path. He tweeted: "For the first time in 12 years, I’m back in the freelance world. Looking forward to writing some new chapters this year and beyond!!"
Holden was not on CBS's first post-Pod broadcast Friday night between Denver and Colorado College in World Arena.
The network had Steve Cangialosi, the primary New Jersey Devils play-by-play commentator, work the game alongside Starman and Saski. They did the broadcast remotely. With the NHL returning in less than two weeks, it is unlikely that Cangialosi is a longterm solution for CBS.
Holden said among the people he heard from Monday were UND head coach Brad Berry, longtime UND radio play-by-play announcer Tim Hennessy and Midco Sports Network color commentator Jake Brandt, who worked games with Holden at the Pod.
"That means more to me than people know that they reached out to me and chatted with me," Holden said. "I love the people there. I love the fan base there. They're so passionate and knowledgeable. There's no other fan base in the country like there is for North Dakota hockey. They are the best fan base out there, hands down."
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