CENTERVILLE, Mass. -- Slowly but surely the pieces are falling into place for Nazareth's men's ice hockey team.

The Golden Flyers, set to begin intercollegiate play in 2012, have been accepted for membership in the ECAC West. The Golden Flyers will be the league's sixth member, joining Elmira, Hobart, Manhattanville, Neumann and Utica.
 
“We think that top to bottom that this is one of the top conferences in the country,” said Nazareth Coach George Roll. “It could be tough for us coming out of the gate, but we're excited about the opportunity that the ECAC has given us.”
 
“Nazareth will be an exceptional addition to the ECAC Men's West ice hockey league,” said ECAC Commissioner Rudy Keeling. “Their rich history of athletic success has paved the way for their men's ice hockey program to be a strong contender immediately. The ECAC is excited to welcome the institution as our newest member.”

With a six-team conference, each team will play a 15-game league schedule. Nazareth has a tentative 25-game schedule in place for 2012-13 with the first game Oct. 18, 2012 vs. Geneseo.

Nazareth also has finalized plans to play its home games at the 2,500-seat Sports Centre at MCC, about a 15-minute drive from the Nazareth campus.
 
“There are a lot of plusses,” Roll said. “It's a first-class facility that should be very accessible for visiting teams.”
 
Tentative 2012-13 Schedule
Thu. Oct. 18 – Geneseo
Sat. Oct. 20 – at Geneseo
Tue. Oct. 23 – at Brockport
Sat. Oct. 27 – Salve Regina
*Sat. Nov. 3 – at Utica
*Fri. Nov. 9 – at Manhattanville
*Sat. Nov. 10 – at Manhattanville
*Fri. Nov. 16 – Hobart
*Sat. Nov. 17 – Hobart
Sat. Nov. 23 – at Skidmore Tournament
Sun. Nov. 24 – at Skidmore Tournament
Fri. Dec. 7 – Western New England
Sat. Dec. 8 – Buffalo State
Sat. Jan. 12 – at Oswego
Tue. Jan. 15 – Brockport
*Fri. Jan. 18 – Elmira
*Sat. Jan. 19 – Elmira
*Fri. Jan. 25 – Manhattanville
*Sat. Jan. 26 – Neumann
*Fri. Feb. 1 – at Hobart
*Sat. Feb. 2 – at Elmira
*Fri. Feb. 8 – at Utica
*Sat. Feb. 9 – Utica
*Fri. Feb. 15 – at Neumann
*Sat. Feb. 16 – at Neumann
Wed. Feb. 20 – ECAC West first round
Sat. Feb. 23 – ECAC West semifinals
Sat. Mar. 2 – ECAC West championship