ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – Elmira College’s men’s and women’s hockey teams are returning to their former conferences.
Starting in 2025-26, Elmira College Hockey will once again participate in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC). The move comes after the men's and women's programs will compete in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) starting with the 2021-22 season.
Elmira College will play its final season in the NEHC next season before returning to the UCHC. This move is being made to better position Elmira in terms of proximity to both hockey programs.
“We are excited to return to our familiar home for our hockey program for the 2025-26 season,” Elmira College Athletic Director Rhonda Faunce said in a release from the school. “The UCHC Championship Trophy is named for former Elmira Vice President of Athletics Pat Thompson. ), we were able to win five league championships in the league. Returning to a league we are familiar with and closer to the region will provide a positive experience for our student-athletes and fan base. I guess.”
Elmira was founded in 2016, began play in 2017, and was a charter member of the conference. The Soaring Eagle men's team won his UCHC Championship in 2020-21. The Elmira women's program ran from 2017 to 2021, earning his fourth straight crown at UCHC.
Last year, Elmira College's men's and women's programs each competed in the NCAA D-III Tournament. The Elmira women (23-8-1) defeated Maine State, 2-0, to win the NEHC championship, but lost to Wisconsin River Falls, 4-1, in the NCAA D-III championship in March.
Elmira men's hockey (20-8-1) earned an at-large bid but lost 2-0 to Trinity College in the NCAA D-III quarterfinals. UCHC has an automatic bid to both men's and women's hockey in the NCAA Tournament.
