Advancing Your Hockey Player with Confidence
Finding the right path for your aspiring hockey player can feel like sliding through an endless rink of strange obstacles. Between collegiate programs across NCAA Divisions I through III and numerous other leagues, and evolving recruitment protocols, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain which direction leads to greater opportunity. GAP Hockey Consulting has expert knowledge and an honest approach to help families navigate the complexities and provide clear guidance on program fit, strategic connections to opportunities, and robust support at every stage. Discover how vast the list of college hockey teams is for a better understanding of how confusing it can be.
Men’s NCAA hockey is a little different from most college sports, because there is no true NCAA Division II championship in men’s hockey. Moreover, there are few teams across all levels (with the exception of ACHA Hockey) making it extremely competitive. Additionally, hockey is an international game, as of the 2024–25 NCAA men’s ice hockey season, players hail from a remarkably diverse range of countries. According to data from the nationality breakdown of active NCAA players:
- The United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Norway, Germany, Slovenia, Ireland, Ukraine, Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, Belarus, Austria, Japan, and Poland all have active representatives. Quant Hockey+1
That’s a total of 20 different nationalities represented in men’s NCAA hockey during the 2024–25 season.
Here’s the breakdown of divisions and levels:
NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey
Number of Teams: 64 programs (as of 2025).
Scholarships: Up to 18 full athletic scholarships per team (can be split among players).
Season: Usually runs October–April, ending with the Frozen Four national championship.
Conferences:
- Atlantic Hockey
- Big Ten
- Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA)
- ECAC Hockey
- Hockey East
- National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC)
- Independent teams (like Arizona State, Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Fairbanks, and Long Island University)
Key Facts:
- Highest level of NCAA hockey.
- Many players are NHL draft picks or sign pro contracts after college.
- Teams mostly play 34–36 games in the regular season.
NCAA Division II Men’s Hockey
Number of Teams: Only a handful of schools sponsor hockey at the DII level — too few for an NCAA DII national championship.
Current Situation:
- Division II hockey exists mostly in mixed conferences with DIII schools.
- Examples: Some schools in the Northeast-10 Conference (like Saint Anselm, Assumption, Franklin Pierce) technically compete at the DII level but play mostly DIII opponents.
- Because of the low number of DII schools, they do not have their own NCAA tournament.
Key Facts:
- Players often similar in skill level to lower-tier D1 or top D3.
- DII hockey is rare and limited to just one conference- NE10
NCAA Division III Men’s Hockey
Number of Teams: Around 84 programs.
Scholarships: No athletic scholarships (but players can receive academic or need-based aid).
Season: Shorter than D1 — about 25 regular-season games.
Conferences:
- NEHC (New England Hockey Conference)
- NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference)
- SUNYAC (State University of New York Athletic Conference)
- MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
- WIAC (Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
- UCHC (United Collegiate Hockey Conference)
Others spread across the Northeast, Midwest, and a few outliers.
Key Facts:
- Extremely competitive despite no scholarships.
- Many players come from top junior leagues (NAHL, EHL).
- The NCAA holds a DIII national tournament every March.
In regards to ACHA or non- NCAA College Hockey. Here is the breakdown for those programs…
ACHA Men’s Hockey Teams by Division (as of the 2025–2026 season)
1. Men’s Division I
Projected to include 82 teams in the 2025–2026 season, across 26 states. This includes newly approved programs like Central Michigan University, Siena Heights University, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan–Flint, Hope College, North Carolina State University, University of Louisville, and University of North Carolina.
2. Men’s Division II
While the exact number of teams isn’t specified, ACHA sources estimate roughly 200 teams in Division II, spread across conferences and independent teams.
3. Men’s Division III
Also estimated at around 140 teams, divided by conferences and independents.
The world of hockey development is exciting but undeniably complex, and trying to map out the right path on your own can lead to missed opportunities or costly missteps. GAP Hockey Consulting is a trusted partner who brings clarity, strategy, and connections to help your player reach their full potential. Don’t leave their future to chance; let GAP Hockey bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. Contact GAP Hockey today and take confident steps toward your player’s success. 813.391.4022 or send us an email at Info@GapHockey.com
Reference [ https://www.tjhpodcast.com/how-many-college-hockey-teams-are-there/ ]