College Hockey Map: Men’s Division I Locations
Click or tap the map to enlarge it.
This map shows the locations of NCAA Division I men's ice hockey teams in the United States, colour-coded by conference. The pattern is concentrated in New England, the Great Lakes and the Upper Midwest, where the sport is most popular at school level.
Conference membership has changed repeatedly in recent years. The map reflects the conference names at the time it was drawn, so teams may have moved since.
Where college hockey is played
More than 60 schools play Division I men's hockey. The densest cluster is in the Northeast, where Hockey East teams such as Boston College and ECAC Hockey teams such as Harvard and Cornell are based. The Great Lakes and Minnesota area hosts Big Ten and National Collegiate Hockey Conference teams, including Minnesota, Michigan and North Dakota. Atlantic Hockey teams are spread across the Northeast and Midwest.
The national championship, known as the Frozen Four, has been decided by an NCAA tournament since 1948.
Why the map is a snapshot
College conference alignment is changed by realignment, new teams and the end of the CCHA and WCHA in their earlier forms. Anyone using the map for research should check the NCAA's current listings for team and conference names.
Players and programmes
College hockey rosters combine American and Canadian players, many of whom come through junior leagues before enrolling. Division I men's teams may award up to 18 scholarships' worth of athletic aid, which shapes how programmes recruit. Teams such as Michigan, Denver, Boston College and North Dakota have won multiple national championships, and the Frozen Four is one of the most popular events of the college sports calendar in the northern states.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Teams | More than 60 |
| National tournament | NCAA tournament since 1948 |
| Strongest regions | New England, Great Lakes, Upper Midwest |
| Conferences shown | Atlantic Hockey, Big Ten, ECAC, Hockey East, NCHC and others |
Questions about this map
What is the Frozen Four?
The semi-finals and final of the NCAA men's ice hockey championship.
Why are most teams in the north?
Ice hockey needs a cold climate and a strong youth hockey tradition, both of which are found there.
Is the map current?
It reflects the conference alignments at its time of publication.
