Current season, competition or edition: 2024-25 | |
 | |
| Conference | AAU College Hockey |
|---|---|
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Founded | 2009 |
| First season | 2009-10 |
| Sports fielded |
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| Division | AAU College Hockey - Divisions I, II, and III |
| No. of teams | 15 |
| Region | Northeast |
| Most recent champion(s) | Fairfield University (Purple Division), Sacred Heart University (Black Division) (2023-24) |
| Most titles | Farmingdale State College (8) |
| Official website | https://www.echchockey.com/ |
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.
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Since 2009, the ECHC has seen various esteemed institutions join and depart, each contributing to the rich legacy of the conference. The inaugural 2009-10 season saw the University of Albany, Farmingdale State College, Hofstra University, Union College, Skidmore College, Southern Connecticut State University, Siena College, and Fairfield University laying the foundation. Union College and Skidmore College exited after the first season, while Wagner College joined in 2011-12 but departed after a single season. SUNY Maritime became a key member from 2013-14 until 2016-17, and Quinnipiac University joined in 2015-16, becoming a mainstay.
In the fall of 2019, the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference welcomed Ramapo College of New Jersey, Hofstra University, Fordham University, and Stony Brook University, solidifying the conference as the premier conference in the Collegiate Hockey Federation. The spring of 2022 saw the ECHC expand its ranks with the addition of the University of New Haven, Sacred Heart University, and Farmingdale State's (DIII) team. This expansion, and the unwavering goal of creating the most dynamic hockey experience for their members, led the Empire to create a second division to ensure competitive balance and integrity. In February of 2023, the ECHC crowned two conference champions for the very first time. Farmingdale State College (DIII) captured the Black Division championship, beating the University of New Haven in the finals, and Ramapo College of New Jersey overcame Fairfield University, thanks to an overtime game-winning goal by Christopher Dressler.
Farmingdale State College's (DIII) team reached the American Division Finals of the AAU College Hockey National Championships, but fell to St. John Fisher University.
During the offseason, AAU College Hockey announced their Inaugural DI season, and named Farmingdale State College, Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University, University of Delaware, and Fordham University as organizations that met the qualifications to be considered DI teams.
The most recent 2023-24 season continued the trend of growth and excellence with the addition of Rutgers University (DII), bringing with it a new level of competition and excitement. NYCHC (Columbia University) also joined the fold, further enriching the landscape of collegiate hockey within the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference. Fairfield University expanded its participation by adding a Division III team, underscoring the conference's commitment to growth and diversity within its ranks.
During the AAU College Hockey National Championships, Farmingdale made it the furthest out of any ECHC DI team, however, they lost in the semifinals to the University at Buffalo.
The 2024-25 season will mark the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference's 15th anniversary, a milestone celebrated with 15 member teams, including the newly welcomed Stevens Institute of Technology. This season will also feature a new division realignment, with the Purple Division consisting of the University of Delaware, Farmingdale State College (DI), Fairfield University (DI), and Quinnipiac University, all AAU DI teams. The Black Division will comprise Farmingdale State College (DII), Ramapo College of New Jersey, Fordham University, Sacred Heart University, and Columbia University. The Silver Division will include Fairfield University (DIII), Stony Brook University, Hofstra University, the University of New Haven, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Rutgers University. The ECHC proudly comprises teams from the Atlantic coast, specifically colleges and universities in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.
