ECAC North Atlantic to start in women’s D-III ranks for 2015-16

The ECAC announced Thursday the formation of a new Division III women’s league – the ECAC North Atlantic Hockey League – that will begin play for the 2015-16 season.

The league will be comprised of eight institutions that either currently compete independently or are starting a women’s program next year.

Becker, Canton, Daniel Webster, Endicott, Johnson and Wales, Morrisville, Salem State and Stevenson will be the founding members of the league.

“It is with great excitement and anticipation that the ECAC announces the formation of the North Atlantic Hockey League,” said ECAC president and CEO Dr. Kevin McGinniss in a statement. “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. These eight institutions are further blazing the path for future programs to start women’s ice hockey and to bolster the student-athlete experience.”

The eight schools will play each other twice during the regular season and an ECAC North Atlantic champion will be crowned following a postseason conference tournament.