May 31, 2002

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It was announced on Friday, May 31 that the Providence College women's hockey team will begin playing in the newly formed Hockey East Women's League beginning in October 2002. The league is comprised of six teams including Boston College, the University of Connecticut, the University of Maine, the University of New Hampshire and Northeastern University. The first league game is scheduled for Friday, November 1 as the Friars face Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Providence College has been a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) since the league was officially formed during the 1993-94 season. Prior to the 1993-94 season, the ECAC sponsored league tournaments, which began in 1984. This past season, the ECAC split into two leagues, with the Friars playing in the Eastern League along with Quinnipiac, Niagara and the six members of Hockey East.

Providence captured seven ECAC Tournament titles, including the 2002 Eastern League crown on March 16. The Friars also were ECAC champions in 1984, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995. In addition, PC had eight players named as ECAC Division I Player of the Year.