Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference

AAU College Hockey
Current season, competition or edition:; 2024-25
Conference	AAU College Hockey
Sport	Ice hockey
Founded	2009
First season	2009-10
Sports fielded	Men's ice hockey;
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.

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.

Members

School	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Nickname
Hofstra University	Hempstead, New York	1935	Private	Pride
Fairfield University	Fairfield, CT	1942	Private (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities)	Stags
Farmingdale State College	East Farmingdale, NY	1912	Public (State University of New York)	Rams
Fordham University	New York, NY	1841	Private (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities)	Rams
Quinnipiac University	Hamden, CT & North Haven, CT	1929	Private	Bobcats
Ramapo College	Mahwah, New Jersey	1969	Public (New Jersey's public system of higher education)	Roadrunners
Stony Brook University	Stony Brook, NY	1957	Public (State University of New York)	Seawolves

Former members

School	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Nickname
State University of New York Maritime College	Throggs Neck, New York	1874	Public (State University of New York)	Privateers
Skidmore College	Saratoga Springs, New York	1903	Private	Thoroughbreds
Union College	Schenectady, New York	1795	Private	Dutchmen
University at Albany	Albany, NY	1844	Public (State University of New York)	Great Danes
Southern Connecticut State University	New Haven, CT	1893	Public (Connecticut State University System)	Owls

Champions

2023-24 - Fairfield University (Purple Division), Sacred Heart University (Black Division)
2022-23 - Ramapo College of New Jersey (Purple Division), Farmingdale State College (DIII) (Black Division)
2021-22 - Farmingdale State College
2020-21 - No Champion Awarded
2019-20 - Fairfield University
2018-19 - Farmingdale State College
2017-18 - Farmingdale State College
2016-17 - Farmingdale State College
2015-16 - Farmingdale State College
2014-15 - Farmingdale State College
2013-14 - Fairfield University
2012-13 - Farmingdale State College
2011-12 - Southern Connecticut State University
2010-11 - Southern Connecticut State University
2009-10 - Farmingdale State College