Student-athletes worldwide are playing hockey in the hope of playing the NHL one day after college or going straight to professional, depending on how good the athlete is. Our research team has analyzed games and winning records from NCAA to determine The Best Colleges For Men’s Ice Hockey.
Ice hockey is a popular sport and can be quite competitive at the college level. The season typically lasts from October to March. Division I teams are divided into six leagues: Atlantic Hockey, Big Ten, ECAC, Hockey East, NCHC, and WCHA. During the final tournament, the top 16 teams play against one another to advance to the Frozen Four. These four teams compete for the championship in March or April.
Division III hockey tournaments generally work the same way, with their championship game being held in March. DIII schools are usually smaller and do not offer athletic scholarships, though academic scholarships or grants may be available. There is no NCAA championship for Division II hockey, as not enough schools participate.
The Best Colleges For Men’s Ice Hockey 2023
10. Ohio State University
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s ice hockey team is an NCAA Division I college ice hockey program representing Ohio State University. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. They play at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
9. University of Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines men’s ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program has completed its 91st season.
8. Providence College
The Providence Friars men’s ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I ice hockey program representing Providence College. The Friars are a member of Hockey East.
7. Quinnipiac University
The Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program representing Quinnipiac University. The Bobcats are a member of ECAC Hockey. They play at the TD Bank Sports Center in Hamden, Connecticut.
6. Boston University
The Boston University Terriers men’s ice hockey program is one of the most storied teams in NCAA Division I hockey. It played its first-ever game in 1918 and won five national championships while making twenty-two appearances in the Frozen Four.
5. University of Minnesota
The Minnesota Golden Gophers, men’s ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. They are members of the Big 10 Conference and compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I ice hockey.
4. University of Notre Dame
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the University of Notre Dame, competing at the NCAA Division I level and is an associate member of the Big Ten Conference.
3. University of Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers men’s ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The team plays at the Kohl Center and is coached by Tony Granato. The Badgers ice hockey team competes in the Big Ten Conference.
2. Boston College
The Boston College Eagles are a Division I hockey program representing Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The team has competed in Hockey East since 1984, having previously played in the ECAC. The Eagles have won five national championships, the most recent coming in 2012.
1. University of Denver
The Denver Pioneers men’s ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program representing the University of Denver. The Pioneers are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. They play at Magness Arena in Denver, Colorado.
The best colleges for men’s ice hockey in 2023
- University of Denver
- Boston College
- University of Wisconsin
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Minnesota
- Boston University
- Quinnipiac University
- Providence College
- University of Michigan
- Ohio State University
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