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Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League

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Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League
Founded1995
CommissionerMike Walley (since 2012)
Sports fielded
DivisionDivision II & III
No. of teams63
HeadquartersNorth Carolina
RegionSoutheast
Most recent
champion(s)
Rowan
(Men's) / High Point
(Women's)
Most titlesGeorgetown & NC State
(Men's - 6 titles)
Official websiteOfficial website

The Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL) is a non-NCAA collegiate ice hockey league in the mid-atlantic and southeast regions of the United States. The Mission of the ACC Hockey League is to provide student-athletes an option to compete in organized intercollegiate ice hockey without the high expenses of NCAA level hockey.

All teams in Men's Division II compete out of the ACHA Southeast Region in Division II. All teams in the Women's Division also compete out of the ACHA Southeast Region in Division II. The Men's Division III level competes in the AAU as the Premier teams are a part of the Division II level with some being dual within Division III of the ACHA. The Elite teams are a part of the AAU Men's Division III level. Mike "Sheriff" Walley is the current executive director of the league.[1]

Current members

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Men's Division II

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Division Institution Location Nickname Arena Team Colors Primary conference
Premier - Carolina Division University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Tar Heels Orange County Sportsplex     ACC (DI)
University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC Seahawks Wilmington Ice House     CAA (DI)
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA Hokies LancerLot Sports Complex     ACC (DI)
Premier - Mid Atlantic Division University of Delaware Newark, DE Blue Hens Fred Rust Ice Arena     CAA (DI)
University of Maryland College Park, MD Terrapins The Gardens Ice House     Big Ten (DI)
North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC Wolfpack Wake Competition Center     ACC (DI)
Premier - North Division Pennsylvania State University State College, PA Nittany Lions Pegula Ice Arena     Big Ten (DI)
Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ Broncs Ice Land Arena     MAAC (DI)
Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Profs Hollydell Ice Arena     NJAC (DIII)
Elite - Capitol Division Georgetown University Washington, D.C. Hoyas The Gardens Ice House     Big East (DI)
George Washington University Washington, D.C. Colonials The St. James     A-10 (DI)
Princeton University Princeton, NJ Tigers Baker Rink     Ivy League (DI)
Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, PA Hawks Haverford Skatium     A-10 (DI)
Elite - Carolina Division Elon University Elon, NC Phoenix Orange County Sportsplex     CAA (DI)
High Point University High Point, NC Panthers Greensboro Ice House     Big South (DI)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC 49ers Extreme Ice Center     AAC (DI)
Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Demon Deacons Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex     ACC (DI)
Elite - Mid Atlantic Division Denison University Granville, OH Big Red Lou & Gib Reese Ice Arena     NCAC (DIII)
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Dukes Haymarket IcePlex     Sun Belt (DI)
Stevenson University Stevenson, MD Mustangs Reisterstown Sportsplex     MAC (DIII)
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Mountaineers Morgantown Ice Arena     Big 12 (DI)
Elite - Virginia Division Duke University Durham, NC Blue Devils Orange County Sportsplex     ACC (DI)
East Carolina University Greenville, NC Pirates Carolina Ice Zone     AAC (DI)
University of Richmond Richmond, VA Spiders Richmond Ice Zone     A-10 (DI)
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Cavaliers LaHaye Ice Center     ACC (DI)

Women's Division II

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Division Institution Location Nickname Arena Team Colors Primary conference
North Division Georgetown University Washington, D.C. Hoyas The Gardens Ice House     Big East (DI)
George Washington University Washington, D.C. Colonials The St. James     A-10 (DI)
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Dukes Haymarket IcePlex     Sun Belt (DI)
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Cavaliers LaHaye Ice Center     ACC (DI)
West Chester University West Chester, PA Golden Rams Ice Line Quad Rinks     PSAC (DII)
South Division High Point University High Point, NC Panthers Greensboro Ice House     Big South (DI)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Tar Heels Orange County Sportsplex     ACC (DI)
North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC Wolfpack Wake Competition Center     ACC (DI)
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA Hokies LancerLot Sports Complex     ACC (DI)

Men's Division III

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Division Institution Location Nickname Arena Team Colors Primary conference
Premier - Capitol Division Catholic University of America Washington, D.C. Cardinals Fort Dupont Ice Arena     Landmark (DIII)
George Mason University Fairfax, VA Patriots Prince William Ice Center     A-10 (DI)
Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD Greyhounds Reisterstown Sportsplex     Patriot (DI)
University of Maryland, College Park College Park, MD Terrapins The Gardens Ice House     Big Ten (DI)
United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD Midshipmen McMullen Hockey Arena     Patriot (DI)
Stevenson University Stevenson, MD Mustangs Reisterstown Sportsplex     MAC (DIII)
Premier - North Division Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Profs Hollydell Ice Arena     NJAC (DIII)
The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ Lions Lawrenceville School     NJAC (DIII)
West Chester University West Chester, PA Golden Rams Ice Line Quad Rinks     PSAC (DII)
Widener University Chester, PA Pride IceWorks Skating Complex     MAC (DIII)
Premier - South Division Appalachian State University Boone, NC Mountaineers Greensboro Ice House     Sun Belt (DI)
College of Charleston Charleston, SC Cougars Carolina Ice Palace     CAA (DI)
Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC Chanticleers Wilmington Ice House     Sun Belt (DI)
High Point University High Point, NC Panthers Greensboro Ice House     Big South (DI)
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Flames LaHaye Ice Center     ASUN (DI)
Elite - North Division American University Washington, D.C. Eagles Cabin John Ice Rink     Patriot (DI)
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Dukes Haymarket IcePlex     Sun Belt (DI)
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Blue Jays     Centennial (DIII)
University of Maryland, Baltimore County Catonsville, MD Retrievers The Gardens Ice House     America East (DI)
Millersville University Millersville, PA Marauders Lancaster Ice Rink     PSAC (DII)
Montgomery College Rockville, MD Raptors Rockville Ice Arena     NJCAA
Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria, VA Nighthawks Prince William Ice Center     NJCAA
York College of Pennsylvania Spring Garden Township, PA Spartans York Ice Arena     MACCC (DIII)
Elite - South Division Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA Captains Hampton Roads Iceplex     C2C (DIII)
The Citadel Charleston, SC Bulldogs Carolina Ice Palace     SoCon (DI)
Longwood University Farmville, VA Lancers LaHaye Ice Center     Big South (D)
University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA Eagles Prince William Ice Center     C2C (DIII)
Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Monarchs Chilled Ponds Ice Sports Complex     Sun Belt (DI)
Roanoke College Salem, VA Maroons LancerLot Sports Complex     ODAC (DIII)
Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA Keydets LaHaye Ice Center     Southern (DI)
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Rams Richmond Ice Zone     A-10 (DI)
College of William & Mary Williamsburg, VA Tribe Hampton Roads Iceplex     CAA (DI)

League Expansion

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Tournament Championships

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The 2024 ACCHL playoff tournaments features all nine teams qualifying from the M2 Premier Division as seeds 8 & 9 participate in a Play-In Game; the winner is awarded the Admiral's Cup. The M2 Elite & M3 Premier Divisions have the top ten teams qualify with seeds 7-10 participating in Play-In Games. The M3 Elite Division has the top six teams qualify with the 1 & 2 seeds getting a bye into the Semi-Finals; the winner is awarded the Commissioner's Cup. The Women's Division features the top four teams qualifying as the winner is awarded the Commodore's Cup.

Year Admiral's Cup Champion Runner-Up Regular Season Champion Tournament Location
1996 Virginia (1) North Carolina Virginia Tech (1) Fort Bragg, NC
1997 Liberty (1) North Carolina Virginia (1) Charlottesville, VA
1998 Duke (1) Virginia Virginia (2) Charlottesville, VA
1999 Maryland (1) North Carolina Virginia (3) Charlottesville, VA
2000 Virginia (2) Maryland Virginia (4) Ashburn, VA
2001 Maryland (2) NC State NC State (1) Laurel, MD
2002 Liberty (2) Maryland NC State (2) Laurel, MD
2003 NC State (1) Maryland NC State (3) Raleigh, NC
2004 Duke (2) Virginia Duke (1) Charlottesville, VA
2005 Georgetown (1) Virginia Virginia (5) Hillsborough, NC
2006 Duke (3) Georgetown Duke (2) Charlottesville, VA
2007 Georgetown (2) Duke Georgetown (1) Arlington, VA
2008 Georgetown (3) Duke Virginia Tech (2) Roanoke, VA
2009 Virginia Tech (1) Duke Virginia Tech (3) Roanoke, VA
2010 Virginia Tech (2) Georgetown Maryland (1) Arlington, VA
2011 NC State (2) Maryland Maryland (2) Hillsborough, NC
2012 Georgetown (4) Maryland Georgetown (2) Hillsborough, NC
2013 Georgetown (5) NC State NC State (4) Laurel, MD
2014 Georgetown (6) NC State NC State (5) Annapolis, MD
2015 North Carolina (1) Georgetown NC State (6) Annapolis, MD
2016 George Washington (1) NC State NC State (7) Charlottesville, VA
2017 Virginia (3) NC State Virginia (6) Charlottesville, VA
2018 Charlotte (1) Wake Forest George Washington (1) Charlottesville, VA
2019 NC State (3) Virginia NC State (8) Winston-Salem, NC
2020 NC State (4) Wake Forest NC State (9) Winston-Salem, NC
2021 *NC State (5) Virginia Tech N/A (COVID) Winston-Salem, NC
2022 NC State (6) North Carolina Virginia Tech (4) Winston-Salem, NC
2023 Penn State (1) North Carolina Penn State (1) Winston-Salem, NC
2024 Rowan (1) UNC Wilmington Rider (1) Winston-Salem, NC
Year Admiral's Cup Champion Runner-Up Regular Season Champion Tournament Location
2023 West Virginia (1) Charlotte Saint Joseph's (1) Winston-Salem, NC
2024 West Virginia (2) Denison Denison (1) Winston-Salem, NC
Year Commodore's Cup Champion Runner-Up Regular Season Champion Tournament Location
2022 NC State (1) West Virginia West Virginia (1) Winston-Salem, NC
2023 Georgetown (1) NC State Georgetown (1) Winston-Salem, NC
2024 High Point (1) Virginia Tech Virginia (1) Winston-Salem, NC
Year Commodore's Cup Champion Runner-Up Regular Season Champion Tournament Location
2020 Christopher Newport (1) College of Charleston Chesapeake, MD
2021 *Coastal Carolina (1) Liberty N/A (COVID) Winston-Salem, NC
2022 Coastal Carolina (2) Liberty Liberty (1) Lynchburg, VA
2023 Coastal Carolina (3) Liberty Liberty (2) Winston-Salem, NC
2024 High Point (1) Rowan Rowan (1) Winston-Salem, NC
Year Commissioner's Cup Champion Runner-Up Regular Season Champion Tournament Location
2022 William & Mary (1) Appalachian State William & Mary (1) Lynchburg, VA
2023 Loyola Maryland (1) William & Mary William & Mary (2) Winston-Salem, NC
2024 William & Mary (2) Johns Hopkins William & Mary (3) Winston-Salem, NC
  • For the 2020-2021 season, league playoffs were held despite numerous programs not competing due to the COVID pandemic.

ACC Fall Tournament

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From 2009 to 2020, NC State hosted the Stephen Russell Tournament at some point every season to commemorate the loss of their goaltender, Stephen Russell, who had passed away. The team retired Russell's #20 in his honor.

Starting in the 2021–2022 season, the ACC began to host what is now the annual fall tournament for all M2 member teams for a three-game league weekend. The tournament takes place at The St. James in Springfield, Virginia. The league will typically invite two non-members from ACHA Men's Division II to come participate as well. In 2022, the ACC began awarding a Men's Premier and Elite winner separately as well as a Women's winner which is held on a different weekend.

The current tournament features a conglomerate scoring system of winning periods (2 points per period) and whole games (4 points = W, 2 points = OT/SOW, 1 point = OT/SOL, and 0 points = L). The totals are added for a final score.

Year Tournament Champion
2013 NC State
2014 North Carolina
2015 NC State
2016 James Madison
2017 James Madison
2018 Virginia
2019 NC State
2020 NC State
2021 NC State
2022 Rowan (Premier) | Denison (Elite) | Virginia Tech (Women's)
2023 Rider (Premier) | George Washington (Elite) | Virginia (Women's)

ACHA Men's Division II Southeast Regionals

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The ACHA hosts their regional tournaments towards the end of February. Four regions (Northeast, Southeast, Central and West) see teams ranked #3-14 compete in a single elimination, three-day weekend for two berths to the Men's Division II National Tournament. The top two teams in each regional automatically qualify.

  • 2020: #9 Wake Forest defeated #12 The College of New Jersey in Overtime; defeated #4 NC State; lost to #3 Cincinnati.
  • 2021: ACHA did not hold the regional tournament due to the shortened seasons caused by COVID-19.
  • 2022: #3 NC State lost to #13 Pennsylvania / #14 North Carolina lost to #7 Indiana.
  • 2023: #7 Penn State defeated #14 Rider; lost to #6 Ohio / #9 Rowan lost to #12 Louisville / #11 North Carolina defeated #10 NC State; defeated #5 Miami Ohio in Overtime; lost to #3 Kentucky.
  • 2024: #7 North Carolina lost to #14 Pennsylvania / #8 NC State defeated #13 Rowan; defeated #6 Ohio; lost to #3 Indiana / #9 Penn State defeated #12 UNC Wilmington; lost to #5 Kentucky in Overtime / #10 Rider defeated #11 Louisville; lost to #4 Miami Ohio.

ACHA Men's Division II National Tournament

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The ACHA hosts the Men's Division II National Tournament every March, hosting 16 teams. Those teams are put into four separate pools with a team from each region. Winner of each pool advances to the Final Four.

  • 2019: NC State (SE #4) finished 1–2 in Pool A; lost to Massachusetts (NE #1) 7–2, defeated Northern Colorado (West #2) 6-5 and lost to Trine (Central #3) 9–1.
  • 2021: NC State (#2) finished 2–1 in Pool A; defeated Providence (#4) 6–4, Davenport (#3) 5-3 and lost to Mary (#1) 5–1.

AAU Men's Division II National Tournament

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The AAU hosts the Men's Division II National Tournament every March, hosting 20 teams (32 teams prior to 2024). Teams are split into five pools based on their national ranking. Winner of each pool advances to the Quarter-Finals plus three wild card teams. The overall winner is the AAU Division II College Hockey National Champion.

  • 2022: Christopher Newport (#16) finished 2-1 to win Pool A; lost to Central Florida (#17) 3-1, defeated Salisbury (#32) 5-2 and Tampa (#1) 4-3 in Overtime; lost to Ramapo (#9) 9-2 in the Quarter-Finals / Liberty (#12) finished 0–3 in Pool E; lost to Buffalo State (#21) 7-3, College of Charleston 4-2 and Babson (#5) 9-3 / East Carolina (#18) finished 1–2 in Pool B; lost to St. Bonaventure (#15) 9-4, Farmingdale State (#2) 7-2 and defeated Penn State Harrisburg (#31) 6-1 / College of Charleston (#28) went 1–2 in Pool E; lost to Babson (#5) 9-4, defeated Liberty 4-2 and lost to Buffalo State (#21) 11-5.
  • 2023: Liberty (#4) finished 0-2-1 in Pool G; tied Fordham (#26) 3-3 in Overtime, lost to Alabama (#18) 5-1 and South Carolina (#10) 7-6 in Overtime / High Point (#32) finished 1-2 in Pool A; lost to St. Bonaventure (#1) 5-0 and Georgia (#16) 7-0 and defeated Massachusetts Maritime Academy (#24) 7-2.
  • 2024: High Point (#3) finished 3-0 in Pool C; defeated Farmingdale State (#18) 3-0, Alabama Huntsville (#13) 6-4 and Central Florida (#8) 5-3; defeated Clemson (#11) in the Quarters 6-4; lost to Florida (#2) in the Semi's 9-3 / Liberty (#6) is 0-3 in Pool E; lost to Clemson (#11) 5-2, Vanderbilt (#16) 5-4 and Bishops (#5) 6-3.

AAU Men's Division III National Tournament

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The AAU hosts the Men's Division III National Tournament every March, hosting 8 teams. Teams are split into two pools based on their national ranking. The top two teams from each pool advance to the Semi-Finals. The overall winner is the AAU Division III College Hockey National Champion.

  • 2024: William & Mary (#8) finished 0-3 in Pool A; lost to Miami (#1) 4-0, Stony Brook (#4) 5-2 and Rochester (#6) 11-2.

References

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  1. ^ "ACCHL: Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League | Home Page | Pointstreak Sites". Archived from the original on 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  2. ^ "Membership History". Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League. Retrieved 2023-01-15.