> I would always choose academics.  That doesn't belie the fact that in terms of hockey strength the ECAC is clearly fourth.  This year's performances and the history of the last ten years or so (cited in recent posts) is fairly strong testimony.  You ECAC'ers are always so defensive and respond with "yeah but we have higher-ranked academics."  If we want to rank in terms of academic strength no doubt the ECAC with its Ivy and other similar institutions is impressive.  In hockey it is not.
>
 
I have said this repeatedly and will say it yet again ...
 
The ECAC is probably 4th best ... but it is not nearly as bad as some
people make it out to be and
 
a)  This was a particularly down year, I think
b)  Just after the HEA split until 1991 the ECAC did VERY well
nationally
c)  Top-to-bottom, I think the ECAC is quite competitive
    the top teams aren't as good, but the bottom ones are better than
the bottom of the other conferences, clearly.
d)  Point "c" and the tradition of small private schools with long
hockey histories make the ECAC extremely fun
 
This is why we (I) get defensive when the ECAC is put down ...
 
However, you will never hear me claim the league is dominant nationally,
or even close, at least not right now.
 
AW
 
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