ECAC Launches New Club Hockey Division, Welcomes North American Collegiate Hockey League as Premier Affiliate
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) is making waves in the world of collegiate sports! Today, CEO Dan Coonan unveiled the launch of a brand-new Club Hockey Division, signaling a robust commitment to elevate the status of collegiate club hockey across North America. At the center of this transformative initiative is the welcoming of the North American Collegiate Hockey League (NACHL) as a premier affiliate. This revitalized organization unites top-tier collegiate club hockey programs, stretching from Canada down to Florida.
A Strategic Shift in Collegiate Hockey
"The creation of the ECAC Club Hockey Division marks a significant evolution in our mission to support student-athletes at every level," Coonan stated. By integrating the NACHL into the ECAC family, we are not just strengthening our organizational framework; we are enhancing a much-deserved recognition platform for club hockey programs. The ECAC takes pride in advocating for an authentic collegiate experience for hockey student-athletes.
The Resurgence of NACHL
The NACHL emerges from a solid foundation previously branded as AAU College Hockey, under the stewardship of the Collegiate Hockey Federation. As the landscape of collegiate hockey undergoes rapid changes—governance shifts, organizational realignments, and sustainability challenges—the ECAC offers a beacon of stability and support at a crucial time. This collaboration ensures continued access to national tournaments, competitive scheduling, and a dynamic media and branding strategy for over 120 teams.
“Recent disruptions in the collegiate hockey community have underscored the need for a more professional, student-centered, and unified approach to club hockey,” remarked Mark Purowitz, Board Chairman of NACHL. “The ECAC affiliation will help amplify our mission as we navigate these changes.”
Exciting Developments Ahead
The transition into the new Club Hockey Division is already in motion, with the inaugural NACHL Summit set to take place at ECAC headquarters this coming July. This initiative will provide essential organizational infrastructure, compliance guidance, branding support, and leadership development, ensuring that club hockey thrives within an academic framework. The league will also maintain its national championship event in Jacksonville, Florida, in March 2026. Other exciting events include the All-Star Challenge and the formation of a U.S. National Club Team, launching in early 2027.
Celebrating 90 Years of Excellence
The ECAC, which boasts over 90 years of rich athletic tradition, now extends its legacy into the realm of club hockey, championing access, recognition, and opportunity for thousands of student-athletes across North America.
About the ECAC
Founded over 86 years ago, the ECAC is an influential intercollegiate athletics organization with nearly 200 member schools competing across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. Its mission is to enhance student-athlete experiences while providing value to universities through championships, leagues, tournaments, and more. Additionally, the ECAC boasts a robust esports program, featuring over 300 schools and 10,000+ participants.
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