Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League: A Comprehensive Overview

The Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL) provides a competitive platform for collegiate ice hockey in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States, offering student-athletes an alternative to the expenses associated with NCAA-level hockey. Founded in 1995, the league encompasses multiple divisions to accommodate varying skill levels and institutional resources.

League Structure and Divisions

The ACCHL operates across several divisions, catering to different competitive levels within the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). These divisions include:

• Men’s Division I: Teams compete under the ACHA umbrella.
• Men’s Division II: Teams compete within the ACHA Southeast Region in Division II, with some also participating in Division II of the AAU.
• Women’s Division: Teams compete within the ACHA Southeast Region in Division II.
• Men’s Division II ‘A’: Teams compete in the AAU as part of the Division III level, with some dual participation in Division III of the ACHA.
• Men’s Division III: Teams compete in the AAU as part of the FED Division.

Current Members (Men’s Division I – 2025-26 Season)

As of the 2025-26 season, the Men’s Division I of the ACCHL includes:

• University of Delaware (Blue Hens)
• University of Pittsburgh (Panthers)
• Stony Brook University (Seawolves)
• State University of Recent York at Oswego (Lakers)

Leadership

Mike Walley has served as the Commissioner of the ACCHL since 2012 and is also the league’s executive director. He can be contacted at acchockey@gmail.com. Hugh Walsh has been the Head Coach/GM of Saint Joseph’s University since 1985.

Recent Achievements

In 2026, Liberty University became the first school from the ACCHL to win a National Championship, securing the AAU Men’s Division III title.

Non-Profit Status

The ACCHL is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, ensuring that 100% of donations directly benefit the league or the selected university hockey program.

Hall of Fame

The ACCHL maintains a Hall of Fame roster, accessible through the “History” section on the league’s official website. Notable alumni include:

• Oliver Gignoux (Denison University)
• Alex Katsihtis (George Washington University)
• Mark Sangster (James Madison University)
• Liam Eden (University of Maryland)
• Max Newnam (University of Maryland)
• Victor Hugo (NC State University)
• Nate Schuman (Penn State University)
• Nick Messuro (Virginia Tech)
• Mark Stankiewicz (West Virginia University)
• Hannah Walsh (Georgetown University)
• Aynsley Kaufman (Georgetown University)
• Samantha “Sam” Miller (West Virginia University)

Resources

For more information, please visit the official ACCHL website: https://www.acchockey.com/ or https://www.pointstreaksites.com/view/acchockey. Additional information can be found on the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Coast_Collegiate_Hockey_League.