RIT to ECAC West

[obserbear]

Here is some news from the ECAC:
Cape Cod, Mass. – Interim Commissioner Stephen Bamford has announced that the Rochester Institute of Technology will move from the ECAC Women’s East Hockey League, into the conference’s West League. RIT will become the ninth member of the league, and will begin play for the 2007-08 season. The decision was made by the league administrators during a conference call on Monday, December 4. The Tigers will join Buffalo State University, Chatham College, Cortland State University, Elmira College, Neumann College, Oswego State University, Plattsburgh State University, and Utica College.



“The addition of RIT into the ECAC West Women’s Hockey League will make for enhanced in-league competition and a renewal of some terrific hockey rivalries. On behalf of the Women’s West League, I am happy to welcome RIT as a new member beginning with the 2007-08 season,” Bamford said.



The administrators also approved to revamp the playoff format with the new format to be utilized during the 2007-08 season. Since its inaugural season in 2001-02 the Women’s West League has had four teams participate in the playoffs. The new format will allow for six teams to compete. The first round will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2008 with the sixth seed traveling to the third seed and the fourth seed hosting the fifth seed. The first and second seeds will receive first round byes. Teams will be reseeded for the semifinals which will take place at the highest remaining seeds facility on Saturday, March 8, 2008. The championship game will take place on Sunday, March 9 at the same facility as the semifinals.

[hawkhockey15]

looks like the ECAC East is going to be loosing a good team and good competition. greattt

[hockeysb11]

As I reported last week in a prior post.

[uvmcats]

looks like the ECAC East is going to be loosing a good team and good competition. greattt

Don't worry too much about this. Norwich isn't starting a varsity program to compete with Salve Regina. They will be competitive in a short period of time. I also think USM is in the process of rebuilding their program. UMB is in a location that should ensure decent recruiting. So I think there will be 5 or 6 competitive teams shortly in the ECAC East similar the the western division.

[RIT Fan]

That still doesn't change the fact that East is losing a competitive team next year. There's no doubt in my mind that Norwich will be up and running with the top teams in a few years but the East also added another potential bottom feeder in Plymouth.

[hockeysb11]

It is an excellent move for RIT! They will reduce the amount of travel they will need to do, less trips resulting in getting back to school on Sunday night-early Monday morning at 2am. It will also open up there schedule alot instead of having to play 23 league game they will only have 16 and as a result be able to schedule more games against outside competation. What this says for them moving to D-1 I don't know, I think that this means it will be put on hold for awhile.