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 with a diverse structure, including Men’s Division I, Men’s Division II, Men’s Division II ‘A’, Men’s Division III and Women’s Divisions. Men’s Division I teams compete under the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) umbrella. Men’s Division II teams participate in both the ACHA Southeast Region (Division II) and the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Division II, with some teams dual-participating. Women’s Divisions too compete within the ACHA Southeast Region (Division II). Men’s Division II ‘A’ teams compete in the AAU Division III level, with some also participating in ACHA Division III. Men’s Division III teams compete in the AAU FED Division.

Leadership

Mike Walley has served as the Commissioner of the ACCHL since 2012 and is also the primary contact for the league, reachable at acchockey@gmail.com. Hugh Walsh has been the Head Coach/GM for Saint Joseph’s University since 1985 and continues in that role as of 2025.

Men’s Division I Teams (Current Members)

As of the 2025-2026 season, the Men’s Division I includes:

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

Recent Developments & League Expansion

In May 2024, the ACCHL announced the formation of an ACHA Men’s D-I conference for the 2025-26 season [1]. This expansion saw the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens, Pitt Panthers, Stony Brook Seawolves, and Syracuse Orange join the newly formed league from the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League.

Hall of Fame & Non-Profit Status

The ACCHL maintains a Hall of Fame roster, accessible through the league’s website. The league is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, ensuring that 100% of donations directly benefit the ACCHL or its member university hockey programs.

Notable Alumni

Recent graduates recognized by the ACCHL include:

• Oliver Gignoux (Denison University, 2019-2023)
• Alex Katsihtis (George Washington University, 2014-2018)
• Mark Sangster (James Madison University, 2019-2023)
• Liam Eden (University of Maryland, 2019-2023)
• Max Newnam (University of Maryland, 2020-2024)
• Victor Hugo (NC State University, 2019-2023)
• Nate Schuman (Penn State University, 2020-2024)
• Nick Messuro (Virginia Tech, 2019-2023)
• Mark Stankiewicz (West Virginia University, 2021-2025)
• Hannah Walsh (Georgetown University, 2018-2022)
• Aynsley Kaufman (Georgetown University, 2019-2023)
• Samantha “Sam” Miller (West Virginia University, 2018-2022)

Resources

For more information, visit the official ACCHL website: https://www.acchockey.com/