# Upstate New York Club Hockey League

The Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League is a college ice hockey league comprising teams from smaller colleges and universities in and near Upstate New York that is affiliated with the Collegiate Hockey Federation (CHF). The league is based in New York State and has a majority of teams competing in-state along with some from neighboring Pennsylvania and Vermont.

## History

The league was founded by Andrew Musto in 2006 with the purpose of creating a league that is a low-cost alternative to higher cost leagues. As of 2017 the league fee per team is $300. League fees are used for playoff ice time, referee fees, scorekeepers, and awards.
At the end of the 2016–17 season, Musto stepped down as commissioner and appointed Jon Marchese the new commissioner. The UNYCHL opened its 11th season with the biggest expansion in its history. The league grew to 23 teams with the additions of SUNY Albany, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, Clarkson University, Niagara County Community College, Binghamton University and Syracuse University as well as the return of Alfred State College, Hilbert College and SUNY Canton. In addition the league was organized into three divisions based on geography to cut down travel.
Before the 2019–20 season, the league left the ACHA and has joined the Collegiate Hockey Federation.
The league also organizes a second-tier league called UNYCHL Tier 2, which launched with the 2018–19 season. This tier is for new programs in an effort to "provide local area teams an avenue to play competitive hockey while minimizing budgetary impacts and reducing travel costs." UNYCHL T2 holds ten teams which compete among one another for a separate league championship.
In February 2025, the UNYCHL announced a merger with the Super East Collegiate Hockey League (SECHL) for the 2025–26 season, with the two playing under the SECHL name in ACHA Men's Division 2. Once the merger with the UNYCHL is complete, the SECHL will have two divisions. The SECHL East Division will comprise the then-current six current SECHL members (Army (West Point), Clarkson University, Marist University, Montclair State University, Sacred Heart University, and Siena College) while the SECHL West Division will be made of the former UNYCHL teams. UNYCHL members Binghamton University, Niagara University, and St. Bonaventure University applied and were accepted into the ACHA, with other UNYCHL teams going through the ACHA application process. Teams in each SECHL Division will compete against one another and maintain separate divisional playoffs.

## Members
### Tier 1

| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Year Joined | Nickname | Championships | Home Rink |
| East Division |||||||||
| Hamilton College | Clinton, New York | 1793 | Private | 1,872 | 2010 | Continentals | 2010, 2018 | Sage Rink-Delaney Team Center |
| Le Moyne College | Syracuse, New York | 1946 | Private | 2,761 | 2006 | Dolphins | 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 | Meachem Ice Rink |
| SUNY Albany | Albany, New York | 1844 | Public | 19,000 | 2017 | Great Danes | | Albany County Hockey Facility |
| Union College | Schenectady, New York | 1795 | Private | 2,194 | 2012 | Dutchmen | | The Frank L. Messa Rink at Achilles Center |
| Central Division |||||||||
| Clarkson University | Potsdam, New York | 1896 | Private | 4,300 | 2017 | Golden Knights | | Cheel Arena |
| Binghamton University | Vestal, New York | 1946 | Public Research University | 17,292 | 2017 | Bearcats | | SUNY Broome Ice Center |
| Ithaca College | Ithaca, New York | 1892 | Private | 6,969 | 2015 | Bombers | | The Rink |
| SUNY Cortland | Cortland, New York | 1868 | Public | 6,858 | | Red Dragons | | |
| Metro Division |||||||||
| Erie Community College | Williamsville, New York | 1946 | Community College | 13,649 | 2018 | Kats | 2019 | Cheektowaga Recreation Ice Arena |
| Niagara University | Lewiston, New York | 1856 | Private | 3,763 | 2020 | Purple Eagles | | Dwyer Arena |
| St. John Fisher University | Pittsford, New York | 1948 | Private | 2,871 | 2013 | Cardinals | 2007 | Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport, New York | 1867 | Public | 8,742 | 2013 | Golden Eagles | | The Tuttle North Ice Arena |
| University at Buffalo | Buffalo, New York | 1846 | Public | 19,951 | 2014 | Bulls | 2015, 2020 | Northtown Center |
| University of Rochester | Rochester, New York | 1850 | Private | 6,304 | 2014 | Yellowjackets | 2014, 2016 | Genesee Valley Sports Complex |
| West Division |||||||||
| Alfred State College | Alfred, New York | 1908 | Public | 3,500 | 2017 | Pioneers | 2019 | Olean Recreation Center |
| Buffalo State College | Buffalo, New York | 1871 | Public | 11,000 | 2018 | Bengals | | Buffalo State Ice Arena |
| Canisius College | Buffalo, New York | 1870 | Private | 3,464 | | Golden Griffins | | |
| Penn State Behrend | Erie, Pennsylvania | 1948 | Public | 5,050 | 2018 | Lions | | Mercyhurst Ice Center |
| St. Bonaventure | Allegany, New York | 1858 | Private | 1,627 | 2018 | Bonnies | | William O. Smith Recreation Center |
| SUNY Fredonia | Fredonia, New York | 1826 | Public | 5,100 | 2018 | Blue Devils | | Steele Hall Ice Arena |

### Tier 2

| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Year Joined | Nickname | Championships | Home Rink |
| East Division |||||||||
| ACPHS | Albany, New York | 1881 | Private | 1,392 | 2015 | Panthers | | Albany Academy Field House |
| SUNY Canton | Canton, New York | 1906 | Public | 3,550 | 2017 | Roos | | SUNY Canton Roos House |
| SUNY Oneonta | Oneonta, New York | 1889 | Public | 8,000 | 2006 | Red Dragons | | Alumni Field House |
| Paul Smith's College | Paul Smiths, New York | 1946 | Private | 1,000 | 2018 | Bobcat | | Saranac Lake Civic Center |
| West Division |||||||||
| Alfred State College | Alfred, New York | 1908 | Public | 3,500 | 2017 | Pioneers | 2019 | Olean Recreation Center |
| Geneseo | Geneseo, New York | 1871 | Public | 5,240 | 2021 | Knights | | Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena (Merritt Athletic Center) |
| Medaille College | Buffalo, New York | 1937 | Private | 2,600 | 2018 | Mavericks | | Dann Memorial Rink at Nichols School |
| SUNY Niagara | Sanborn, New York | 1962 | Community College | 5,892 | 2017 | Thunder Wolves | 2020, 2022 | Hyde Park Ice Pavilion |
| St. John Fisher University | Pittsford, New York | 1948 | Private | 2,871 | 2013 | Cardinals | 2007 | Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex |
| Gannon University | Erie, Pennsylvania | 1925 | Public | 3,432 | 2017 | Golden Knights | | Erie Insurance Arena |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie, Pennsylvania | 1926 | Public | 4,363 | 2021 | Lakers | | Mercyhurst Ice Center |
| University of Pittsburgh at Bradford | Bradford, Pennsylvania | 1963 | Public | 1,564 | 2021 | Panthers | | Callahan Ice Rink |

### Former Members

| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Year(s) Played | Nickname | Championships |
| Cazenovia College | Cazenovia, New York | 1824 | Private | 1,000 | 2007–2012 | Wildcats | |
| D'Youville University | Buffalo, New York | 1908 | Private | 3,000 | 2011–2015 | Spartans | |
| Hilbert College | Hamburg, New York | 1957 | Private/Catholic | 1,089 | 2011–2015 | Hawks | |
| Utica College | Utica, New York | 1946 | Private | 3,084 | | Pioneers | |
| St. Lawrence University | Canton, New York | 1856 | Private | 2,398 | | Saints | |
| Hobart College | Geneva, New York | 1822 | Private | 1,928 | 2013–2017 | Statesmen | 2017 |
| Onondaga Community College | Syracuse, New York | 1961 | Community | 12,000 | 2013–2019 | Lazers | |
| Skidmore College | Saratoga Springs, New York | 1903 | Private | 2,500 | 2013–2019 | Thoroughbreds | |
| SUNY Geneseo | Geneseo, New York | 1871 | Public | 4,950 | 2013–2019 | Knights | |
| Gannon University | Erie, Pennsylvania | 1925 | Private Non-Profit | 4,412 | 2017–2019 | Golden Knights | |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie, Pennsylvania | 1926 | Private University | 4,400 | 2017–2019 | Lakers | |
| Syracuse University | Syracuse, New York | 1870 | Private research university | 21,970 | 2017–2019 | Orange | |
| Colgate University | Hamilton, New York | 1819 | Private | 3,000 | 2018–2019 | Raiders | |
| Castleton University | Castleton, Vermont | 1789 | Public | 2,100 | 2018–2019 | Spartans | |

### Timeline
## Seasons

| Season | No. of teams | Top regular season record | Playoff Champion |
| 2006–07 | | | St. John Fisher Cardinals |
| 2007–08 | | | Le Moyne Dolphins |
| 2008–09 | | | Le Moyne Dolphins |
| 2009–10 | 6 | Hamilton Continentals (8–1–1) | Hamilton Continentals |
| 2010–11 | 6 | Le Moyne Dolphins (9–1–0) | Le Moyne Dolphins |
| 2011–12 | 7 | Le Moyne Dolphins (12–0–0) | Le Moyne Dolphins |
| 2012–13 | 14 | Le Moyne Dolphins (10–1–1) | Canton Kangaroos |
| 2013-14 | | | University of Rochester/Nazareth College |
| 2014-15 | 16 | Le Moyne and St. John Fisher College (12–2–0) | University at Buffalo |
| 2015-16 | 14 | | University of Rochester/Nazareth College |
| 2016-17 | 14 | Skidmore (10–2–0) | Hobart College |
| 2017-18 | 23 | SUNY Geneseo and University of Rochester (10–2–0) | Hamilton Continentals |
| 2018–19 | Tier 1: 21 Tier 2: 10 | Tier 1: Clarkson University (8–0–0) Tier 2: Alfred State (7-0-0-1) | Tier 1: Erie Community College Tier 2: Alfred State |
| 2019–20 | Tier 1: 21 Tier 2: 10 | Tier 1: St Bonaventure (11–0–0) Tier 2: ACPHS (8–0–0) | Tier 1: University at Buffalo Tier 2: SUNY Niagara |

### 2015 Playoffs

The 2015 UNYCHL Playoffs were played February 20–22 at the home rink of each #1 and #2 seeds and 27th and 28th at Holiday Twin Rinks in Cheektowaga, New York.
| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| 1 | St. John Fisher College | 4 | | | | | | |
| 4 | SUNY Brockport | 3 | | | | | | |
| 4 | SUNY Brockport | 3 | 1 | LeMoyne College | 1 | | | |
| | | | 2 | University at Buffalo | 6 | | | |
| 2 | University at Buffalo | 7 | 2 | University at Buffalo | 6 | | | |
| 3 | University of Rochester | 6 | | | | | | |
| 3 | University of Rochester | 6 | | | | 1 | St. John Fisher College | 3 |
| | | | | | | 2 | University at Buffalo | 4 (OT) |
| 1 | LeMoyne College | 6 | | | | | | | 2 | University at Buffalo | 4 (OT) |
| 4 | Skidmore College | 4 | | | | | | |
| 4 | Skidmore College | 4 | 1 | St. John Fisher College | 4 | | | |
| | | | 2 | Hamilton College | 2 | | | |
| 2 | Hamilton College | 5 | 2 | Hamilton College | 2 | | | |
| 3 | Union College | 3 | | | | | | |

### 2016 Playoffs

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| 1 | University of Rochester | 9 | | | | | | |
| 4 | SUNY Geneseo | 2 | | | | | | |
| 4 | SUNY Geneseo | 2 | 1 | University of Rochester | 10 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Union College | 6 | | | |
| 2 | University at Buffalo | 3 | 3 | Union College | 6 | | | |
| 3 | St. John Fisher College | 1 | | | | | | |
| 3 | St. John Fisher College | 1 | | | | 1 | University of Rochester | 7 (OT) |
| | | | | | | 2 | Hamilton College | 6 |
| 1 | Hamilton College | 6 | | | | | | | 2 | Hamilton College | 6 |
| 4 | Onondaga Community College | 3 | | | | | | |
| 4 | Onondaga Community College | 3 | 1 | Hamilton College | 4 | | | |
| | | | 2 | University at Buffalo | 0 | | | |
| 2 | LeMoyne College | 2 | 2 | University at Buffalo | 0 | | | |
| 3 | Union College | 5 | | | | | | |

### 2017 Playoffs

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| 1 | University at Buffalo | 5 | | | | | | |
| 4 | SUNY Geneseo | 1 | | | | | | |
| 4 | SUNY Geneseo | 1 | 1 | Skidmore College | 4 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Hobart College | 9 | | | |
| 2 | University of Rochester | 5 | 3 | Hobart College | 9 | | | |
| 3 | Hobart College | 9 | | | | | | |
| 3 | Hobart College | 9 | | | | 1 | University at Buffalo | 2 |
| | | | | | | 3 | Hobart College | 3 |
| 1 | Skidmore College | 8 | | | | | | | 3 | Hobart College | 3 |
| 4 | LeMoyne College | 5 | | | | | | |
| 4 | LeMoyne College | 5 | 1 | University at Buffalo | 5 | | | |
| | | | 2 | Union College | 4 | | | |
| 2 | Union College | 9 | 2 | Union College | 4 | | | |
| 3 | St. Lawrence University | 3 | | | | | | |

## Awards
### Coach of the Year

| Year | Coach | Team | Division | Coach | Team | Division |
| 2007 | Andrew Musto | LeMoyne College |
| 2008 | Henry Gaspe | Cazenvovia College |
| 2009 | Andrew Musto | LeMoyne College |
| 2010 | Andrew Musto | LeMoyne College |
| 2011 | April Harper | SUNY Oneonta |
| 2012 | Bob Shattell | LeMoyne College |
| 2013 | Zachary Schwann | Skidmore College |
| 2014 | Jim Doersam | University at Buffalo | West | Matt McDermott | Union College | East |
| 2015 | Randy Smallridge | St. John Fisher College | West | Bob Shattell | LeMoyne College | East |
| 2016 | Justin Niebel | University of Rochester | West | Charlie Boynton | Onondaga Community College | East |
| 2017 | Edd Kirchberger | University at Buffalo | West | Matt McDermott | Union College | East |

### League MVP

| Year | Player | Team | Division | Player | Team | Division |
| 2007 | Matt Selover | St. John Fisher College |
| 2008 | Dan Deacon | LeMoyne College |
| 2009 | Dan Deacon | LeMoyne College |
| 2010 | Bob Shattell | LeMoyne College |
| 2011 | Leif Catania & Aaron Srebnik | Skidmore College |
| 2012 | Eric Manley | LeMoyne College |
| 2013 | Justin Cunningham | LeMoyne College |
| 2014 | Brett Barton | University of Rochester | West | Charlie Gawne | Union College | East |
| 2015 | Andrew Simonelli | St. John Fisher College | West | Garrett Ordway | LeMoyne College | East |
| 2016 | Steve Sachman | SUNY Brockport | West | Matt Morgia | ACPHS | East |
| 2017 | Ryan Peterson | University of Rochester | West | Luc Chatelin | Skidmore College | East |

### Playoff MVP

| Year | Player | Team | Division |
| 2014 | Brett Barton | University of Rochester | West |
| 2015 | Adam Oetinger | University at Buffalo | West |
| 2016 | Kyle Schwartz | University of Rochester | West |
| 2017 | Zach McCloskey | Hobart College | West |
| 2019 | Sean Kross | Erie Community College | Metro |
| 2020 | Ryan O'Donnell | University at Buffalo | Metro |

## Records
### Team Records
#### Least Penalty Minutes in a Season

    60 - Skidmore College - 2015-2016

#### Team Goals Against Average in a Season

    2.50 - LeMoyne College - 2014-2015

#### Team Goals For in a Season

    123 - Hamilton College - 2014-2015
* These records began tracking at the beginning of the 2014 - 2015 season.

### Individual Records
#### Most points in a Season

    42 - Matt Morgia - ACPHS - 2015-2016

#### Most Goals in a Season

    25 - Andrew Tullo - Union College - 2015-2016

#### Most Assists in a Season

    20 - Matt Morgia - ACPHS - 2015-2016
* These records began tracking at the beginning of the 2014 - 2015 season.