Former Members of MAAC Realign to Form Atlantic Hockey

June 30, 2003

HAMDEN, Conn. - The nine former members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Hockey League voted today to sever ties with the conference and form their own Division I men's ice hockey league it was announced by Quinnipiac University Director of Athletics and Recreation Jack McDonald. The newly formed Atlantic Hockey begins play immediately with the 2003-04 season. 

In addition to the creation of the new alignment, former Merrimack College athletic director, Robert M. DeGregorio, Jr., was introduced as Atlantic Hockey's first commissioner. He will oversee the nine charter members of the new league to include, American International College, Army, Bentley College, Canisius College, University of Connecticut, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst College, Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart University. 

"The nine members of Atlantic Hockey are extremely grateful for the leadership that (MAAC Commissioner) Rich Ensor and the MAAC have provided us during the first five years," said McDonald. "We are all very excited about our new name, new governance and new commissioner." 

Atlantic Hockey retains the MAAC's automatic bid to the Division I NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. For the past three years, the MAAC has sent its postseason tournament champion to the NCAAs. 

DeGregorio is no stranger to guiding a major Division I ice hockey league, having served as commissioner of Hockey East from 1993-96. The current treasurer of Hockey East also oversaw the elevation of Merrimack's men's hockey program from Division II to Division I status in the 1980s, where it now competes as a member of Hockey East. 

"I think that this is a great opportunity," DeGregorio said. "I look forward to working with all of the athletic directors and head coaches in the league. We hope to make (Atlantic Hockey) one of the strongest leagues in Division I ice hockey in the near future."

The MAAC opened play in 1998-99 with eight original members. That number grew to 10 in 1999-2000 with the addition of Bentley and Mercyhurst. Army became the 11th school to join the following season, where the league has operated during the past three years. 

With Fairfield University and Iona College eliminating their hockey programs at the end of the 2002-03 season, just one full-time MAAC institution remained (Canisius College). Although the MAAC Council of Presidents agreed to continue operating the league, the governance structure of the MAAC presented numerous challenges to the membership, and the schools chose to withdraw and seek a new governance structure. 

"We wish the hockey league members continued success as they continue on to a new affiliation," said Ensor. "The short history of the MAAC Hockey League was filled with tremendous growth and success."