Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference

The Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference (ECHC) is an collegiate hockey conference that plays in Division III of the Collegiate Hockey Federation (CHF). Established in May of 2009, The University of Albany, Farmingdale State College, Hofstra University, Union College, Skidmore College, Southern Connecticut State, Siena College and Fairfield University set out to establish an organization committed to providing the most comprehensive hockey experience for the elite division 3 non-varsity collegiate hockey programs in the Atlantic Region. The ECHC provides the framework and structure to support the highest level of growth of its member's hockey programs, through league, team, player, and coach's development. Standards of play and the opportunity to compete both regionally and nationally within the CHF is considered paramount.
The ECHC, in accordance with the NCAA, and CHF emphasizes academic performance, institutional sanction, and eligibility criteria, to ensure the highest quality of hockey and curricular integrity. This extremely competitive hockey conference is highly selective about its members and their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of competition. All ECHC teams are required to be members in good standing as tournament bound teams within the CHF and make continuous strives to improve their hockey program as well as our Conference, and the regional hockey community at large. Since 2009, ECHC teams have represented the Atlantic Region in every ACHA National Tournament; and sent 5 programs to the CHF's inaugural Federation Cup in 2020. The ECHC has had 11 players named to the ACHA National Select Team; 3 ACHA All Americans; 1 National Player of the Year; 1 National Coach of the Year; hosted the 2012 National Championship Tournament; and annually hosts the most competitive non-varsity college showcase in the country, “The Empire Classic”.
In the fall of 2019, the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference welcomed Ramapo College, Hofstra University, Fordham University, and Stony Brook University to its family, solidifying the conference as the premier conference in the Collegiate Hockey Federation. The conference is made up of teams on the Atlantic coast, specifically colleges and universities in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.
==Members==
School 	Location 	Founded	Affiliation 	Nickname 	Colors	Website
Hofstra University 	Hempstead, New York 	 	Private 	Pride 	 	
Fairfield University 	Fairfield, CT 	1942 	Private (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities)	Stags 	 	
Farmingdale State College 	East Farmingdale, NY 	1912 	Public (State University of New York) 	Rams 	 	
Fordham University 	New York, NY 	 	Private (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities)	Rams 	 	
Quinnipiac University 	Hamden, CT & North Haven, CT	1929 	Private 	Bobcats 	 	
Ramapo College 	Mahwah, New Jersey 	 	Public (New Jersey's public system of higher education) 	Roadrunners	 	
Stony Brook University 	Stony Brook, NY 	1957 	Public (State University of New York) 	Seawolves 	 	
Southern Connecticut State University	New Haven, CT 	1893 	Public (Connecticut State University System) 	Owls 	 	
==Former members==
School 	Location 	Founded	Affiliation 	Nickname 	Colors	Website
State University of New York Maritime College	Throggs Neck, New York 	 	Public (State University of New York)	Privateers 	 	
Skidmore College 	Saratoga Springs, New York	 	Private 	Thoroughbreds	 	
Union College 	Schenectady, New York 	 	Private 	Dutchmen 	 	
University at Albany 	Albany, NY 	1844 	Public (State University of New York)	Great Danes 	 	
==Champions==
*2020- Fairfield
*2019- Farmingdale State
*2018- Farmingdale State
*2017- Farmingdale State
*2016- Farmingdale State
*2015- Farmingdale State
*2014- Fairfield
*2013- Farmingdale State
*2012- Southern Connecticut State
*2011- Southern Connecticut State
*2010- Farmingdale State
==See also==
*American Collegiate Hockey Association
*List of ice hockey leagues
==References==
* Empire College Hockey Conference
Category:ACHA Division III League