MARSHFIELD, Mass. – The New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) is proud to announce Albertus Magnus College as the league's newest member effective for the 2024-25 ice hockey season. Both the men's and women's programs will join the conference.

"The NEHC is excited to welcome Albertus Magnus College as the league's newest member," stated NEHC Commissioner Katie Boldvich. "We've eagerly watched the success and resources committed to the men's program the last few years and are excited to welcome another strong partner to the conference. Coach Wallack is building a special program and we have no doubt the women will see similar progress under the guidance of Coach Novodor. "

"Albertus Magnus College and its ice hockey programs are thrilled to accept this invitation to join the New England Hockey Conference," said Albertus Athletic Director Michael Kobylanski.  "The NEHC and its member institutions have long demonstrated the highest level of success on the academic and athletic fronts.  We look forward to competing against this prestigious group of institutions and ice hockey programs in the years ahead.  In addition, we are extremely pleased to be able to provide our student-athletes and coaches for both our women's and men's programs the opportunity to compete for postseason berths against some of the most formidable programs in the nation." 

The Falcons' men's program has distinguished themselves as a strong regional contender in only two full seasons as a varsity program. The men finished the 2021-22 campaign with a 16-8-1 overall record.

"We are ecstatic to join one of the strongest hockey conferences in the country," said Coach Wallack. "From top to bottom, the NEHC is one of the toughest leagues in all of Division III hockey. Acceptance into the NEHC will help us continue to recruit the best student-athletes in North America and will ensure that we are competing in the toughest competition on a nightly basis."

Albertus Magnus announced the addition of a women's program this past summer with their inaugural season of competition slated for 2022-23. Stephen Novodor has been tabbed the program's first head coach and brings with him more than 15 years of experience, including coaching at the collegiate, prep school and youth levels.

"I am thrilled that we have been accepted to play in the NEHC starting in the 2024-25 season," said Coach Novodor. "As we launch our program, this will be a tremendous help to our recruiting efforts as our student-athletes know they will be playing in one of the best Division III conferences in the country and fighting for the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament."

The Falcons play their home contests at the newly renovated Ralph Walker Skating Rink in New Haven, CT. The facility boasts a new ice sheet and chiller plant (2019) along with dedicated locker room space.

The NEHC last expanded in the 2021-22 season when the league added Elmira College men's and women's programs along with the William Smith College women's program. The 2018-19 season saw the addition of current members Johnson & Wales University (men's and women's) and Salem State University (women) while the Hobart College men began competition in the NEHC in 2017-18. 

"I want to thank our league Presidents and Athletic Directors who have always leaned into the strategic growth of our conference, especially as it comes to membership. We look forward to these next steps as a conference as we keep up with the growth of ice hockey at the Division III level," explained Boldvich.

The conference is already at work developing expanded league schedules for the 2024-25 season. Be sure to follow the conference at www.nehockeyconference.com or on twitter @NEHockeyConf for news and updates related to the league.

ABOUT THE NEHC:  The New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) prides itself on being one of the premiere playing conferences for NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Hockey in the country. The league and its members are committed to promoting the sport of hockey, recognizing the student-athletes, and promoting fair play and sportsmanship while maintaining a high level of competition. 

The conference boasts a unique geographic footprint and utilizes a travel partner scheduling model which allows for meaningful conference competition across the northeast. The ability to travel to desirable cities, hockey towns and rinks makes for a high-quality student-athlete experience for our teams.

ABOUT ALBERTUS MAGNUS COLLEGE: Albertus Magnus College, founded in 1925, is a coeducational Catholic College in the Dominican tradition.  Its values- and liberal arts-based education is recognized by external rankings such as US News & World Report, Money Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education, and has been named a Top 10 Military Friendly School.  For five consecutive years, graduating classes at Albertus have achieved post-graduate employment and graduate school success at a rate of at least 95%. 

The College has an enrollment of approximately 1,400 students across its traditional undergraduate program, accelerated adult degree program, and 11 graduate programs. With more than half of its students coming from minority backgrounds and nearly the same percentage being the first generation college goers, Albertus is known for its innovative curricular offerings, recently launching new Bachelor's degree programs in Game and Computer Arts, General Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Project Management, Public Health, Social Media, and Supply Chain Management; among its graduate programs is the State of Connecticut's only Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program.

Just three years from its historic 100^th Anniversary Year, the College is implementing its new strategic plan, Albertus 2025: Lighting the Way to a Second Century, which articulates an inspiring, bold vision, in which Albertus Magnus College "will be a destination liberal arts-based college, distinguished in its interdisciplinary and experiential approach to education, rooted in Dominican values, that prepares students for lifelong civic engagement and success." To learn more, please visit albertus.edu.