Just to add my two cents:
I think tradition plays a big part in keeping the tourney at the Garden.
Yes, the sticky floor and aged wooden chairs are definitely appealing. The
Garden is a fun place to watch hockey, and it is deeply rooted in tradition.
However, I think the ECAC would be making a big mistake to move the tourney
to Albany because since the split between the ECAC and Hockey East, the ECAC
has had far less exposure in the Greater Boston area. With the ECAC tourney
in Boston, it gives Boston area players a feel for the ECAC that would
ordinarily miss. With Harvard and Brown the only 2 ECAC teams that are anywhere
near Boston ,      the ECAC must strive to make a name for itself if teams
want to have a shot at the Eastern Mass. high school talent pool. Moving the
tourney to Albany would give Hockey East virtual control over Boston area
college hockey (not that they don't have it already with BC, BU, NU,
Umass-Lowell, UNH, Providence, and Merrimack all within an hours' drive)
but the ECAC would forfeit almost all exposure to Eastern Mass recruits.
Are they sure they want to let that go given their performance as league the
last few seasons?
I should hope not...
--Sid