Despite that history, Pecknold (Bedford, N.H.) has found that he no longer has to sell recruits on the potential of ECAC Hockey. That potential has been recognized.
Since the start of the 2012-13 season, Quinnpiac boasts the highest win total among NCAA Division 1 schools and has made two appearances in the NCAA tournament championship game. Quinnipiac’s rise on the national stage has helped legitimize the case that ECAC Hockey is the premier conference in the Northeast. Since the start of the 2012-13 season, ECAC Hockey schools have won more national championships than Hockey East schools (two to one) and matched the number of Frozen Four appearances (five).
"We still have to be proactive when we’re recruiting, but the closing rate is higher," Pecknold said. "It’s not the only reason a kid chooses a school, but most kids want to win. We’ve won as much as anybody in the last five years, and the player development in our entire league is the best of any league in the country."
