Salem State women’s hockey to join ECAC

The nation?s largest collegiate athletic conference just got even bigger.The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) President and CEO has announced the formation of a new Division III women?s hockey program, which has been christened as the North Atlantic Hockey League.
Salem State University, Endicott College, Becker College, Daniel Webster College, Johnson & Wales University, Morrisville State College, Stevenson University, and SUNY Canton will be the league?s founding members.
?The sport of women?s ice hockey is rapidly growing in the United States and we are extremely proud to be a part of it,” said ECAC president/CEO Dr. Kevin McGinniss. “These eight institutions are further blazing the path for future programs to start women?s ice hockey and to bolster the student-athlete experience.”
Each of the eight schools will meet twice during the regular season before competing in a postseason tournament in which a conference champion will be crowned.
Currently, the league sponsors two women?s ice hockey divisions, the ?East? and ?West? which combine to house a total of 24 institutions.
“The creation of a new women’s hockey conference is indicative of the tremendous growth in the sport,” said Salem State athletic director Tim Shea.
?Salem State is very pleased to be involved in this new conference and looks forward to some great competition while providing a great opportunity for our team to showcase its talents.”
Dr. Brian Wylie, the athletic director at Endicott College, echoed similar praises.
?We are thrilled for the work and commitment that the ECAC put forth in establishing the North Atlantic Hockey League for women?s ice hockey,” Wylie said. “From the perspective of Endicott, we see this as not only a tremendous opportunity to showcase phenomenal female student-athletes, but also to further the development and landscape of women?s ice hockey.
?I?m particularly excited with the quality and reputation of the institutions that have formed this new conference and look forward to transitioning our women?s program to NCAA Division III status starting in 2015.”The ECAC, which has teams from all collegiate divisions, has expanded from 58 members to more than 300 in its 76 years of existence.