The league began as the brain child of Paul Saylor (West Chester College student and coach) and Brian Schnarr (Academy of the New Church Treasurer). The two league founders put together the initial schedule in the fall of 1971. For the first four years of the leagues existence it was know as the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Association.
The founding member teams were the Academy of the New Church, Drexel University, St. Josephs University, LaSalle University, University of Pennsylvania Club team (Penn had a division 1 team at the time) and Pennsylvania Military College (became Widener in 1972).
During the early years there were few rinks available and limited practices. The cost of ice time in 1973 was $60.00 per hour.
In 1972, Drexel University hired Mr. Finbarr O'Connor as their coach. Finbarr’s dedication to the sport of ice hockey was exemplary and he later served as the league president. During his tenure, the league faced several difficult issues on player eligibility. A number of teams that year were placed on probation and/or suspended for the use of ineligible players.
The current playoff structure began in the third year. A formal constitution was adopted in the late 1970s and the league was formally incorporated in the early 1980s. During the 1990s the league expanded to two divisions, East and West. In the year 2000, the league adopted its first three divisional structures comprised of 16 team’s total. The playoffs have expanded from single elimination to a three game final. This year thirteen teams from three divisions will compete for the DVCHC Championship Trophy.
2005-06 was the last season for all the D2 teams playing as DVCHC members, we are proud to announce the conception of our new league for the 2006-07 season. “Great Northeast Collegiate Hockey Conference”
This has been our thoughts for awhile. We will form the new league with our 6 current D2 teams and hope to have 2 additional teams before the season starts. Our goal is to create purity, grow into a credible league. We are uniting, and plan to pick it up a little so we can be something really worthwhile in the future.
