Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference

Not to be confused with Empire 8.

The Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference (ECHC) is a collegiate hockey conference that plays in Divisions I, II, and III of AAU College Hockey (Formerly the CHF). Established in May 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.

AAU College Hockey

Current season, competition or edition: 2024-25
Conference	AAU College Hockey
Sport	Ice hockey
Founded	2009
Sports fielded	Men's ice hockey
Division	AAU College Hockey - Divisions I, II, and III
No. of teams	14
Region	Northeast
Most recent champion(s)	Fairfield University (Purple Division), Sacred Heart University (Black Division) (2023-24)
Official website	https://www.echchockey.com/

The ECHC, in accordance with the NCAA, and AAU College Hockey, 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 AAU College Hockey and make continuous strides 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, and 6 in 2022. 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 has hosted and partnered in some of the country's most competitive non-varsity college showcases, “The Empire Classic and the Invitational”.

In the fall of 2019, the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference welcomed Ramapo College of New Jersey, Hofstra University, Fordham University, and Stony Brook University to its family, solidifying the conference as the premier conference in the Collegiate Hockey Federation. In the spring of 2022, the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference expanded its ranks once again, with the addition of the University of New Haven, Sacred Heart University, and Farmingdale State's Division 3 team. This new expansion, and the unwavering goal of creating the most dynamic hockey experience for our members, led the Empire to create a second division to ensure competitive balance and integrity for its members. In February of 2023, the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference crowned two conference champions for the very first time. In the most recent season, 2023-24, Rutgers University has joined the conference, bringing with it a new level of competition and excitement. Additionally, Columbia University has entered the fold, further enriching the landscape of collegiate hockey within the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference. Furthermore, Fairfield University has expanded its participation by adding a DIII team, underscoring the conference's commitment to growth and diversity within its ranks. 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
Hofstra University	Hempstead, New York	1935	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	1841	Private (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities)	Rams
Quinnipiac University	Hamden, CT & North Haven, CT	1929	Private	Bobcats
Ramapo College	Mahwah, New Jersey	1969	Public (New Jersey's public system of higher education)	Roadrunners
Stony Brook University	Stony Brook, NY	1957	Public (State University of New York)	Seawolves

Former members

School	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Nickname	Colors
State University of New York Maritime College	Throggs Neck, New York	1874	Public (State University of New York)	Privateers
Skidmore College	Saratoga Springs, New York	1903	Private	Thoroughbreds
Union College	Schenectady, New York	1795	Private	Dutchmen
University at Albany	Albany, NY	1844	Public (State University of New York)	Great Danes
Southern Connecticut State University	New Haven, CT	1893	Public (Connecticut State University System)	Owls

Champions

Conference logo used until 2021

• 2023-24 - Fairfield University (Purple Division), Sacred Heart University (Black Division) 2022-23 - Ramapo College of New Jersey (Purple Division), Farmingdale State College (DIII) (Black Division) 2021-22 - No Champion Awarded 2020-21 - Fairfield University 2019-20 - Farmingdale State College 2018-19 - Farmingdale State College 2017-18 - Farmingdale State College 2016-17 - Farmingdale State College 2015-16 - Farmingdale State College 2014-15 - Fairfield University 2013-14 - Farmingdale State College 2012-13 - Southern Connecticut State University 2011-12 - Southern Connecticut State University 2010-11 - Farmingdale State College

See also

• American Collegiate Hockey Association
• List of ice hockey leagues

References

• Empire College Hockey Conference