Here are some key facts about ECAC Hockey:
- ECAC Hockey is one of six conferences in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey. It is considered part of the “Big Four” conferences along with Hockey East, the NCHC, and the WCHA.
- The conference currently has 12 member schools located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. Members include Brown, Clarkson, Colgate, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Quinnipiac, RPI, St. Lawrence, Union, and Yale.
- ECAC Hockey was formed in 1961 and originally consisted of the Army, Boston College, Boston University, Clarkson, Colgate, Harvard, Princeton, Providence, RPI, and Yale.
- The conference is home to some of the most storied and successful college hockey programs. Cornell, Harvard, and Yale have all won national championships while other schools have made multiple Frozen Four appearances.
- ECAC Hockey teams have won 16 national championships overall, most recently Yale in 2013. The conference has also produced dozens of NHL players and Olympians.
- The ECAC Hockey championship tournament is held annually in March, with the winner getting an automatic bid to the 16-team NCAA tournament. The conference’s regular season champion also receives a tournament bid.
- ECAC Hockey games are known for being played in smaller classic college rinks, some dating back to the 19th century. The atmosphere is seen as unique compared to other conferences.
- In recent years, ECAC Hockey has been competitive at the national level but is still considered a step below powerhouse Hockey East and the NCHC in terms of talent and recruiting.