The Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference (ECHC) is a collegiate hockey conference that plays in Division III and the American Collegiate Development Conference of the American Collegiate Hockey Conference (ACHA). The Conference was established in May 2009, when 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.
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 College'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 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.
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.
The 2024–25 season marked the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference's 15th anniversary, a milestone celebrated with 15 member teams, including the newly welcomed Stevens Institute of Technology. The season also featured 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 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.
Farmingdale State College (DI) captured its ninth ECHC Conference Championship, defeating the University of Delaware in the Purple Division final. Columbia University claimed the Black Division title with a win over Farmingdale State College (DII), while Stony Brook University earned the Silver Division championship by defeating Rutgers University.
Following the conclusion of the season, it was announced that Kutztown University (DII) and Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg (DII) would be joining the Conference for the 2025–26 season. The ECHC continues to grow as a premier destination for non-NCAA collegiate hockey, proudly representing institutions across the Northeast and Atlantic regions of the United States and Canada.
Members SchoolLocationFoundedAffiliationTeam NameColorsJoinedColumbia UniversityNew York City, New YorkPrivateLions 2023Farmingdale State College (DII)East Farmingdale, New YorkPublicRams 2022Penn State HarrisburgLower Swatara Township, PennsylvaniaPublicNittany Lions 2025Sacred Heart University (ACDC A)Fairfield, ConnecticutPrivatePioneers 2022University of DelawareNewark, DelawarePrivateBlue Hens 2023Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, New JerseyPublicRoadrunners 2019University of New HavenWest Haven, ConnecticutPrivateChargers 2022
Former Members SchoolLocationFoundedAffiliationNicknameColorsLeftSiena CollegeLoudonville, New YorkPrivateSaints 2010Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, New YorkPrivateThoroughbreds 2010Union CollegeSchenectady, New YorkPrivateDutchmen 2010Wagner CollegeStaten Island, New YorkPrivateSeahawks 2012 University at Albany Albany, NY 1844 Public Great Danes 2016State University of New York Maritime CollegeThroggs Neck, New YorkPublicPrivateers 2017Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, CT1893PublicOwls 2022Fairfield University (DI)Fairfield, Connecticut1942PrivateStags 2025Farmingdale State College (DI)East Farmingdale, New York1912PublicRams 2025Quinnipiac UniversityHamden, Connecticut1929PrivateBrave 2025Stony Brook University (M3)Stony Brook, New York1957PublicSeawolves 2025Fairfield University (M3)Fairfield, ConnecticutPrivateStags 2025Hofstra UniversityHempstead, New YorkPrivatePride 2025Rutgers University (M3)New Brunswick, New JerseyPublicScarlet Knights 2025Sacred Heart University (ACDC B)Fairfield, ConnecticutPrivatePioneers 2025Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, New JerseyPrivateDucks 2025Fordham UniversityThe Bronx, New YorkPrivateRams 2026Kutztown UniversityKutztown, PennsylvaniaPublicGolden Bears 2026
Champions Season2009–10Farmingdale State College (DI)2010–11Southern Connecticut State University2011–12Southern Connecticut State University2012–13Farmingdale State College (DI)2013-14Fairfield University (DI)2014-15Farmingdale State College (DI)2015-16Farmingdale State College (DI)2016-17Farmingdale State College (DI)2017-18Farmingdale State College (DI)2018–19Farmingdale State College (DI)2019–20Fairfield University (DI)Fairfield University (DI)2020-21N/ANo Champion Awarded2021-22Farmingdale State College (DI)Farmingdale State College (DI)2022-23Purple Division: Farmingdale State College (DI) Black Division: Farmingdale State College (DII)Purple Division: Ramapo College of New Jersey Black Division: Farmingdale State College (DII)2023-24Purple Division: Farmingdale State College (DI) Black Division: Stony Brook UniversityPurple Division: Fairfield University (DI) Black Division: Sacred Heart University (DI)2024-25Purple Division: Farmingdale State College (DI) Black Division: Farmingdale State College (DII) Silver Division: Rutgers UniversityPurple Division: Farmingdale State College (DI) Black Division: Columbia University
Silver Division: Stony Brook University2025-26Fordham UniversityFarmingdale State College (DIII)
Awards
Coach of the Year SeasonCoachTeamDivisionCoachTeamDivisionCoachTeamDivision2009–102010–112011–122012–132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018–192019–20Lloyd JacquesQuinnipiac University2020-21N/AN/A2021-22Michael WintersRamapo College of New Jersey2022-23Joseph MazzieFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleAlbert MarkopoulosFarmingdale State College (DII)Black2023-24Joseph MazzieFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleEdward ArmellinoStony Brook UniversityBlack2024-25Joe GarrettUniversity of DelawarePurpleLouis JudgeFarmingdale State College (DII)BlackTony ThomasRutgers UniversitySilver2025-26Louis JudgeFarmingdale State College (DIII)
MVP SeasonPlayerTeamDivisionPlayerTeamDivisionPlayerTeamDivision2009–102010–112011–122012–132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018–192019–20Joey DiMartinoFarmingdale State College (DI)2020-21N/AN/A2021-22Christopher DresslerRamapo College of New Jersey2022-23Trent ShanleyRamapo College of New JerseyPurpleBrendan DixsonFarmingdale State College (DII)Black2023-24Tim DuffyFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleBrendan DixsonFarmingdale State College (DII)Black2024-25Thomas KonkowskiFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleBrandon AvezovColumbia UniversityBlackJamie ZimmermanRutgers UniversitySilver2025-26Brandon AvezovColumbia University
Rookie of the Year SeasonPlayerTeamDivisionPlayerTeamDivisionPlayerTeamDivision2009–102010–112011–122012–132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018–192019–20Nicholas CarideoFarmingdale State College (DI)2020-21N/AN/A2021-22Thomas MoskalRamapo College of New Jersey2022-23Teddy ValentiFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleMatthew MaterazoHofstra UniversityBlack2023-24Michael LoRiccoFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleGavin RiegerRutgers UniversityBlack2024-25Thomas KonkowskiFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleRonan RobinsonColumbia UniversityBlackMichael MaderaUniversity of New HavenSilver2025-26Anthony RosaUniversity of New Haven
Goalie of the Year SeasonPlayerTeamDivisionPlayerTeamDivisionPlayerTeamDivision2009–102010–112011–122012–132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018–192019–202020-21N/AN/A2021-22Joseph DeCanioFarmingdale State College (DI)2022-23Jake TemkinFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleAlex FernandesUniversity of New HavenBlack2023-24Ryan SolomonQuinnipiac UniversityPurpleGene CastroStony Brook UniversityBlack2024-25Andrew BarronFarmingdale State College (DI)PurpleLuke RichardsonFarmingdale State College (DII)BlackAaron RodriguezRutgers UniversitySilver2025-26Daniel GertsFordham University
Playoff bracket In the "Play-In" round, (9) Kutztown University (DIII) defeated (8) Columbia University, 6-5. See also List of ice hockey leagues
References
Empire College Hockey Conference Empire College Hockey Conference