Cape Cod, Mass. - Commissioner Rudy Keeling and the ECAC Men's East Ice Hockey League are pleased to announce that the University of New England will join the league in the year 2009-10.  The decision was made during the leagues athletic directors meeting on Tuesday, September 30 at the ECAC Convention & Trade Show in Albany, N.Y.

"New England Division III ice hockey is going through a change in league membership." said Commissioner Rudy Keeling. "The ECAC Men's East ice hockey league has replaced outgoing member Salem State College with promising newcomer University of New England. With this addition, the ECAC Men's East will continue to be one of the most competitive leagues in Division III ice hockey."

University of New England, formerly St. Francis College, is located in Biddeford, Maine and has an enrollment of 2,140.  Recently the university was listed in the top tier of the 2009 US News America's Best Colleges.  Men's ice hockey will be the 14th sport (sixth men's sport) offered. The Nor'easters will compete in their second season of club play in the North East College Hockey association (NECHA) and will move to varsity level for the 2009-10 season.

"We are humbled and honored to have been accepted as members of the ECAC Men's East Ice Hockey League." said University of New England Athletic Director Kim Allen "Being a member of this league demonstrates our commitment to the continued development of excellence in athletics at the University of New England."

"We are truly excited about the opportunity afforded us by the ECAC Men's East Ice Hockey League." Said University of New England Head Coach Brad Holt. "It is a compliment to be associated with the institutions in this prestigious league, and we fully intend to represent the university and local community in a positive manner as we strive for excellence."

The ECAC Men's East is a ten-member NCAA Division III men's ice hockey league.  The membership is comprised of Babson College, Castleton State College, University of Massachusetts-Boston, New England College, University of New England (joining 2009) Norwich University, Saint Anselm College, Saint Michael's College, Salem State College (departing 2009), Skidmore College and University of Southern Maine.