Upstate New York Club Hockey League

Last updated
Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League (UNYCHL)
UNYCHL SHIELD OUTLINED Beveled.jpg
ConferenceCHF
Founded2006
CommissionerJon Marchese (since 2017)
Sports fielded
DivisionDivision II
No. of teams26
Headquarters Syracuse, New York
Region Northeast
Most recent
champion(s)		Tier 1: Buffalo Bulls (2nd title)
Tier 2: SUNY Niagara ThunderWolves (2nd title)
Most titles LeMoyne College
(4 titles)
Official website Official website
Tier 2 website

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.

Contents

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." [1] 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. [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

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentYear
Joined		NicknameChampionshipsHome Rink
East Division
Hamilton College Clinton, New York 1793Private1,8722010 Continentals 2010, 2018Sage Rink-Delaney Team Center
Le Moyne College Syracuse, New York 1946Private2,7612006 Dolphins 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012Meachem Ice Rink
SUNY Albany Albany, New York 1844Public19,0002017 Great Danes Albany County Hockey Facility
Union College Schenectady, New York 1795Private2,1942012 Dutchmen The Frank L. Messa Rink at Achilles Center
Central Division
Clarkson University Potsdam, New York 1896Private4,3002017 Golden Knights Cheel Arena
Binghamton University Vestal, New York 1946Public Research University17,2922017 Bearcats SUNY Broome Ice Center
Ithaca College Ithaca, New York 1892Private6,9692015 Bombers The Rink
SUNY Cortland Cortland, New York 1868Public6,858 Red Dragons
Metro Division
Erie Community College Williamsville, New York 1946Community College13,6492018Kats2019Cheektowaga Recreation Ice Arena
Niagara University Lewiston, New York 1856Private3,7632020 Purple Eagles Dwyer Arena
St. John Fisher University Pittsford, New York 1948Private2,8712013 Cardinals 2007Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex
SUNY Brockport Brockport, New York 1867Public8,7422013 Golden Eagles The Tuttle North Ice Arena
University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York 1846Public19,9512014 Bulls 2015, 2020 Northtown Center
University of Rochester Rochester, New York 1850Private6,3042014 Yellowjackets 2014, 2016Genesee Valley Sports Complex
West Division
Alfred State College Alfred, New York 1908Public3,5002017Pioneers2019Olean Recreation Center
Buffalo State College Buffalo, New York 1871Public11,0002018 Bengals Buffalo State Ice Arena
Canisius College Buffalo, New York 1870Private3,464 Golden Griffins
Penn State Behrend Erie, Pennsylvania 1948Public5,0502018Lions Mercyhurst Ice Center
St. Bonaventure Allegany, New York 1858Private1,6272018BonniesWilliam O. Smith Recreation Center
SUNY Fredonia Fredonia, New York 1826Public5,1002018 Blue Devils Steele Hall Ice Arena

Tier 2

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentYear
Joined		NicknameChampionshipsHome Rink
East Division
ACPHS Albany, New York 1881Private1,3922015PanthersAlbany Academy Field House
SUNY Canton Canton, New York 1906Public3,5502017 Roos SUNY Canton Roos House
SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York 1889Public8,0002006 Red Dragons Alumni Field House
Paul Smith's College Paul Smiths, New York 1946Private1,0002018BobcatSaranac Lake Civic Center
West Division
Alfred State College Alfred, New York 1908Public3,5002017Pioneers2019Olean Recreation Center
Geneseo Geneseo, New York 1871Public5,2402021 Knights Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena (Merritt Athletic Center)
Medaille College Buffalo, New York 1937Private2,6002018 Mavericks Dann Memorial Rink at Nichols School
SUNY Niagara Sanborn, New York 1962Community College5,8922017Thunder Wolves2020, 2022Hyde Park Ice Pavilion
St. John Fisher University Pittsford, New York 1948Private2,8712013 Cardinals 2007Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex
Gannon University Erie, Pennsylvania 1925Public3,4322017 Golden Knights Erie Insurance Arena
Mercyhurst University Erie, Pennsylvania 1926Public4,3632021 Lakers Mercyhurst Ice Center
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Bradford, Pennsylvania 1963Public1,5642021 Panthers Callahan Ice Rink

Former Members

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentYear(s)
Played		NicknameChampionships
Cazenovia College Cazenovia, New York 1824Private1,0002007–2012 Wildcats
D'Youville University Buffalo, New York 1908Private3,0002011–2015 Spartans
Hilbert College Hamburg, New York 1957Private/Catholic1,0892011–2015 Hawks
Utica College Utica, New York 1946Private3,084 Pioneers
St. Lawrence University Canton, New York 1856Private2,398 Saints
Hobart College Geneva, New York 1822Private1,9282013–2017 Statesmen 2017
Onondaga Community College Syracuse, New York 1961Community12,0002013–2019Lazers
Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, New York 1903Private2,5002013–2019 Thoroughbreds
SUNY Geneseo Geneseo, New York 1871Public4,9502013–2019 Knights
Gannon University Erie, Pennsylvania 1925Private Non-Profit4,4122017–2019Golden Knights
Mercyhurst University Erie, Pennsylvania 1926Private University4,4002017–2019 Lakers
Syracuse University Syracuse, New York 1870Private research university21,9702017–2019 Orange
Colgate University Hamilton, New York 1819Private3,0002018–2019 Raiders
Castleton University Castleton, Vermont 1789Public2,1002018–2019 Spartans

Timeline

Niagara UniversityErie Community CollegeCastleton UniversityPaul Smith's CollegeColgate UniversitySt Bonaventure UniversityPenn State BehrendSUNY FredoniaBuffalo State CollegeErie Community CollegeSUNY AlbanySyracuse UniversityClarkson UniversityMercyhurst UniversityGannon UniversitySUNY NiagaraBinghamton UniversityIthaca CollegeAlbany College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesUniversity at BuffaloUniversity of RochesterSkidmore CollegeHilbert CollegeSUNY GeneseoOnondaga Community CollegeHobart and William Smith CollegesSUNY BrockportUnion DutchmenMedaille CollegeMedaille CollegeD'Youville UniversityHamilton ContinentalsSt. John Fisher UniversityCazenovia WildcatsSUNY Canton KangaroosSUNY Canton KangaroosSUNY Oneonta Red DragonsSUNY Oneonta Red DragonsLe Moyne DolphinsAlfred State PioneersAlfred State PioneersUpstate New York Club Hockey League

Seasons

SeasonNo. of
teams		Top regular season recordPlayoff Champion
2006–07 St. John Fisher Cardinals
2007–08 Le Moyne Dolphins
2008–09 Le Moyne Dolphins
2009–106 Hamilton Continentals (8–1–1) Hamilton Continentals
2010–116 Le Moyne Dolphins (9–1–0) Le Moyne Dolphins
2011–127 Le Moyne Dolphins (12–0–0) Le Moyne Dolphins
2012–1314 Le Moyne Dolphins (10–1–1) Canton Kangaroos
2013-14 University of Rochester/Nazareth College
2014-1516 Le Moyne and St. John Fisher College (12–2–0) University at Buffalo
2015-1614 University of Rochester/Nazareth College
2016-1714 Skidmore (10–2–0) Hobart College
2017-1823SUNY Geneseo and University of Rochester (10–2–0) Hamilton Continentals
2018–19Tier 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

2019–20Tier 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 Semifinals Finals
         
1 St. John Fisher College 4
4 SUNY Brockport 3
1 LeMoyne College 1
2 University at Buffalo 6
2 University at Buffalo 7
3 University of Rochester 6
1 St. John Fisher College 3
2 University at Buffalo 4 (OT)
1 LeMoyne College 6
4 Skidmore College 4
1 St. John Fisher College 4
2 Hamilton College 2
2 Hamilton College 5
3 Union College 3

2016 Playoffs

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

2017 Playoffs

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

Awards

Coach of the Year

YearCoachTeamDivisionCoachTeamDivision
2007Andrew MustoLeMoyne College
2008Henry GaspeCazenvovia College
2009Andrew MustoLeMoyne College
2010Andrew MustoLeMoyne College
2011April HarperSUNY Oneonta
2012Bob ShattellLeMoyne College
2013Zachary SchwannSkidmore College
2014Jim DoersamUniversity at BuffaloWestMatt McDermottUnion CollegeEast
2015Randy SmallridgeSt. John Fisher CollegeWestBob ShattellLeMoyne CollegeEast
2016Justin NiebelUniversity of RochesterWestCharlie BoyntonOnondaga Community CollegeEast
2017Edd KirchbergerUniversity at BuffaloWestMatt McDermottUnion CollegeEast

League MVP

YearPlayerTeamDivisionPlayerTeamDivision
2007Matt SeloverSt. John Fisher College
2008Dan DeaconLeMoyne College
2009Dan DeaconLeMoyne College
2010Bob ShattellLeMoyne College
2011Leif Catania & Aaron SrebnikSkidmore College
2012Eric ManleyLeMoyne College
2013Justin CunninghamLeMoyne College
2014Brett BartonUniversity of RochesterWestCharlie GawneUnion CollegeEast
2015Andrew SimonelliSt. John Fisher CollegeWestGarrett OrdwayLeMoyne CollegeEast
2016Steve SachmanSUNY BrockportWestMatt MorgiaACPHSEast
2017Ryan PetersonUniversity of RochesterWestLuc ChatelinSkidmore CollegeEast

Playoff MVP

YearPlayerTeamDivision
2014Brett BartonUniversity of RochesterWest
2015Adam OetingerUniversity at BuffaloWest
2016Kyle SchwartzUniversity of RochesterWest
2017Zach McCloskeyHobart CollegeWest
2019Sean KrossErie Community CollegeMetro
2020Ryan O'DonnellUniversity at BuffaloMetro

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

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". unychlt2.com. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  2. ↑ "SECHL AND UNYCHL TO MERGE BEGINNING IN 2025-2026". www.achahockey.org. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
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