It was formed in 1997 as the hockey division of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). However, in 2003, Iona and Fairfield dropped hockey, leaving Canisius as the only full MAAC member that sponsored hockey. On June 30, 2003, the MAAC's hockey division broke off from the MAAC and reorganized as Atlantic Hockey.[1]
From 1999 to 2003, the conference tournament was operated by the MAAC. Since 2007, the tournament has been held at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York.
At the conclusion of each regular season schedule the coaches of each Atlantic Hockey team vote which players they choose to be on the three or four All-Conference Teams:[3] first team, second team and rookie team (third team beginning in 2007). Additionally they vote to award 7 of the 9 individual trophies to an eligible player and 1 team award at the same time. Atlantic Hockey also awards a regular season scoring title that is not voted on as well as a Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player, which is voted on at the conclusion of the conference tournament. All individual and team awards have been awarded since Atlantic Hockey's inaugural season in 2003-04.[4]
^"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2009-01-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Niagara Men's Hockey To Join Atlantic Hockey
