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ECAC’s rejection of NU could be for the best
Column by Pat Murray
Friday, July 16, 2026

I happened to watch Monty Python’s “Life of Brian” the other day, and I got to thinking about the Niagara University men’s hockey program when the song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” came on.

But that’s the way the Purple Eagles should feel, because the ECAC’s rejection of Niagara’s application bid may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. The Eastern College Athletic Conference said no to NU, but that doesn’t mean other conferences won’t woo the Purple Eagles.

By all accounts, Niagara made an impressive presentation to ECAC officials, and a number of ECAC coaches thought Niagara was a lock to join the conference. But ECAC officials decided not to extend the conference as far west as Niagara. ECAC officials reportedly have narrowed their choice to Holy Cross or Quinnipiac, two New England schools that have not enjoyed the hockey success Niagara has.

Now Niagara is turning its sights on the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, a 12-team conference that doesn’t base its membership solely on geographic location. The CCHA currently extends from Ohio to Alaska. A few more hours east to New York state isn’t going to be a roadblock.

The CCHA definitely would be a big step up for Niagara from College Hockey America, its current conference. CCHA teams have won eight of the last 20 NCAA Division I titles. Bringing schools like Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Notre Dame to Monteagle Ridge certainly would be a step up from the Alabama-Huntsvilles of the CHA.

The CCHA would benefit from the addition of the Purple Eagles, as well. Niagara offers a market on the Canadian border, giving the league more exposure in southern and eastern Ontario. In Niagara, the CCHA would be adding a solid program that has made two appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last five years and that has produced a Hobey Baker finalist in Joe Tallari and a Hobey Baker nominee in Barret Ehgoetz.

It’s doubtful the CCHA would jettison any program to add Niagara, but most likely would add another team to bring its membership to 14. Possible candidates include Mercyhurst of Atlantic Hockey or Wayne State or Bemidji State of the CHA.

The Niagara women would have to remain in the CHA or look for a new conference, because the CCHA doesn’t have women’s hockey. But NU has to find a new conference for its teams and getout of the CHA.

The CHA doesn’t offer Niagara fans an attractive schedule of opponents, doesn’t excite recruits and most importantly, could be on unsure footing.

The CHA was depleted when the University of Findlay scrapped its men’s and women’s teams at the end of last season. I wonder how much longer Alabama-Huntsville will continue to have a program given the costs associated with being geographically isolated, as far as hockey is concerned. In addition, Ohio State reneged on its plan to join the CHA for women’s hockey after Findlay folded.

The CCHA and Niagara could be a perfect fit. So the ECAC’s slamming of the door on Niagara may allow the Purple Eagles to open another door — this one leading to a brighter future.



Contact Pat Murray at (716) 282-2311, Ext. 2258, or at [email protected].
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