Albertus Magnus College Will Join New England Hockey Conference

New Haven, Conn., December 8, 2022 - Albertus Magnus College is skating into a new league.  Both of the College’s NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Falcons ice hockey programs will be joining the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) effective with their 2024-2025 seasons.  Albertus has competed at the NCAA Division III level in men’s ice hockey since 2019-2020 and play their home contests at the recently renovated Ralph Walker Skating Rink in New Haven.  This past summer, the College announced plans to sponsor women’s ice hockey as its 17th intercollegiate sport, effective with the 2023-24 academic year.

“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 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. Albertus Men’s Coach Kyle Wallack is building a special program, and we have no doubt the women will see similar progress under the guidance of Coach Steve Novodor.”

Since its inaugural season, the Albertus men’s ice hockey team has emerged as a national-caliber program for its efforts on the ice, in the classroom, and within the community.  Last year’s team registered 16 victories and posted wins over three former NCAA Division III Championship programs – SUNY-Plattsburgh, Trinity, and Neumann – in just its third full season.  Men’s Head Coach Kyle Wallack was named American Hockey Coaches Association National Coach of the Year finalist for his efforts.

“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.”

The men’s program also has consistently ranked among the best academic squads in the nation since its inception.  Last year’s team posted a 3.7 cumulative GPA, and 18 student-athletes were selected as AHCA All-America Scholars.  The team also led the Falcons’ athletic department in terms of overall community service hours.  This year’s squad has posted an 8-3 record thus far, including a triumph over No. 10 nationally ranked Trinity, and has ranked consistently in the Top 20 of Division III PairWise rankings.

The inaugural season of competition for the Albertus women’s program is slated for 2023-24. Stephen Novodor, a resident of Cheshire, joined the Falcons after most recently serving as an Assistant Coach at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor.  During his 10-plus years there, the team claimed the Founders League title in 2015 and the Large School New England Championship in 2014 and 2020.  Novodor has also served as a Director and Head Coach with Yale Youth Hockey since 2014, preceded by a run as the Head Coach at Southern Connecticut State University and additional experience with multiple youth and amateur organizations in the state.  Under his guidance, the Yale Junior Bulldogs U15 Tier 1 program won a USA Hockey National Championship.

"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.”

Current members of the NEHC include Babson College, Castleton University, Elmira College, Hobart College, Johnson & Wales University, University of Massachusetts Boston, New England College, Norwich University, Plymouth State University, Salem State University, Skidmore College, University of Southern Maine, and William Smith College.