Eight schools will make up a new Division 1 next season in the Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League. That includes Binghamton, the defending AAU College National Champion and Niagara, last year’s UNYCHL Champion.
Here’s how the new division will look:
UNYCHL D1 West
Niagara
St. Bonaventure
University at Buffalo
Buffalo State
UNYCHL D1 East
Binghamton
Cornell
Cortland
St. John Fisher
In league play, teams will play 10 games; each opponent in their own division twice, and those in the opposite division once.
St John Fisher and Buffalo State will be part of both Division 1 and Division 2, on the league and national levels. With this the first year of AAU D1, divisional flexibility was offered to teams to aid both scheduling and competitiveness.
“The new D1 for AAU is still a work in progress, but I’m optimistic,” said UNYCHL Commissioner Jon Marchese. “It’s a great opportunity for our schools to face elevated competition.”
“I expect our teams to continue to compete well nationally,” said Marchese.
Along with Binghamton’s title last year, St. John Fisher was the AAU American Division (D3) National Champion.
The UNYCHL will have three divisions next season with the majority of schools expected to be in what could be an up-for-grabs Division 2.
“D2 is really an open field,” said Marchese. “And when I say wide open, it’s WIDE OPEN. It’ll be fun to see what program takes the next step.”
