RINDGE, N.H. (January 17, 2017) – The Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey team, in conjunction with Holy Cross, Post, Sacred Heart, Saint Anselm and Saint Michael's, is excited to announce the formation of a six-school scheduling partnership, set to begin with the 2017-18 season.

"I appreciate the efforts of all of the coaches and administrators involved with getting this scheduling alliance up and running," said head coach David Stockdale. "It is a great opportunity for our program and our student-athletes. The schedule will be challenging and the level of play will be high."

In the as-yet-unnamed conference, each school will play its five league brethren four times each -- twice at home and twice away -- for a total of 20 contests. The entirety of the schedule is in the form of two-game weekend series and will feature home-and-home matchups for local opponents, or two games at the same venue -- with a return trip later in the year -- for the league's longer road trips.

The schedule also leaves room for each team to schedule several non-conference games as well to fill out their calendar. The new league will have both weekly and yearly awards, and the season will culminate in a postseason tournament for all six teams, capped by a championship game on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018.

"The opportunity for our players to have the chance to compete for regular season and postseason titles, and to be recognized for their efforts with weekly and yearly awards, is important to further the growth of our program in this ever-changing landscape of women's college hockey," continued Stockdale. "These new opportunities allow us to continue to provide a high-level student-athlete experience for our players moving forward."

More details on the scheduling partnership will be communicated as they become available. The new league is scheduled to begin play on Oct. 20-21, 2017. Franklin Pierce will meet Holy Cross for a home-and-home series on the opening weekend.

The 2016-17 edition of the Ravens return to the ice on Friday, Jan. 20, when they travel to Norwich for a New England Hockey Conference contest. Opening faceoff is set for 4 p.m. at Kreitzberg Arena in Northfield, Vt.