Hobart College announced today that it will join the New England Hockey Conference starting in the 2017-18 season.
 
"Joining the NEHC is an exciting opportunity for Hobart hockey and we are grateful for the invitation," said Hobart Director of Athletics Mike Hanna. "The footprint of the conference meshes well with our alumni base and New England is one of the Colleges' most important recruiting regions. Joining the NEHC is a strong step forward for Hobart Athletics and our hockey program."
 
The NEHC was created and began competition in the 2015-16 season. The men's conference includes Castleton University, New England College, Norwich University, UMass-Boston, the University of Southern Maine, Babson College and Skidmore College.
 
"On behalf of the NEHC, I am excited to welcome Hobart to the league next season. Their institution aligns philosophically with our current membership and their commitment to and strength of their men's hockey program will make the league stronger," said NEHC Commissioner Katie Boldvich. "I'd like to thank Hobart Athletic Director Mike Hanna and the league Athletic Directors for their leadership and vision in adding the Statesmen to the NEHC."
 
"I believe this is the right move for Hobart College hockey," said Hobart Hockey Head Coach Mark Taylor. "Through the years, we've also built some great rivalries with the teams in the ECAC West and I expect some of them to continue. Over the past couple of years, we've started rivalries with NEHC members Babson and Skidmore. And I'm excited to begin new ones with the other NEHC members."
 
Hobart currently competes in the ECAC West. Both Hobart and William Smith ice hockey teams will leave the ECAC West at the end of this season. The Herons will join the newly created United Collegiate Hockey Conference for the 2017-18 season.
 
The Statesmen are 11-2-3 overall this season and are currently riding an eight-game unbeaten streak. Hobart is 4-2-0 in the ECAC West. The Statesmen are ranked No. 7 in the USCHO.com poll and No. 6 in the D3hockey.com poll this week.