ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College Department of Athletics, in conjunction with Elmira College, has formally announced Club Men's Ice Hockey as an addition to its 16 varsity-sponsored athletics programs. Having added Competitive Dance last week, the addition of Club Men's Ice Hockey accompanies the increasing nationwide interest in the opportunity to play collegiate ice hockey, specifically in the northeast.

The Soaring Eagles will compete in the Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League (UNYCHL), which consists primarily of New York State teams. The Purple & Gold would likely participate as a Division II member, to assist with closer commutes to institutions based on geography. The full list of UNYCHL sponsored teams can be viewed here.

"We are excited to announce that club hockey will be starting next fall at Elmira College," said Elmira Men's Ice Hockey Head Coach Aaron Saul '98. "Coach Mike Grace and I will be involved with the team in all aspects of the program, and we are looking forward to working with the student-athletes on a daily basis."

During the 2022-23 season, a pair of the UNYCHL members, Binghamton University (Division I) and St. John Fisher University (Division II) captured National Championships at the AAU College Hockey Nationals.

For more information regarding the addition of club men's ice hockey at Elmira College, please contact Aaron Saul '98 at asaul@elmira.edu. 

ABOUT THE UPSTATE NEW YORK COLLEGIATE HOCKEY LEAGUE (UNYCHL):
The Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League (UNYCHL) is an ice hockey league comprising smaller colleges and universities in Upstate New York. The league is based in New York State and has grown to Pennsylvania and Vermont. The league was founded by Andrew Musto in 2006 with the purpose of creating a league that is a low-cost alternative to higher cost leagues (unychl.hockey).