NCAA Division III independent schools (ice hockey)

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NCAA Division III independent schools are teams that compete in NCAA ice hockey but are not members of a conference. There are also several current and former schools that previously competed as Division III independents.

Contents

Current independent programs

Men

InstitutionTeamLocationFoundedTypeYearsPrimary Conference
Albertus Magnus College [lower-alpha 1] Falcons [1] New Haven, Connecticut 1925Private2019–present GNAC
Anna Maria College [lower-alpha 2] Amcats [2] Paxton, Massachusetts 1946Private2018–present GNAC
(MASCAC in 2025)
Rivier University [lower-alpha 2] Raiders [3] Nashua, New Hampshire 1933Private2021–present GNAC
State University of New York at Canton [lower-alpha 3] Kangaroos [4] Canton, New York 1906Public2012–present NAC
(SUNYAC in 2024)
Notes
  1. ↑ Joining NEHC in 2024.
  2. 1 2 Joining MASCAC in 2024.
  3. ↑ Joining SUNYAC in 2024.

Women

InstitutionTeamLocationFoundedTypeYearsPrimary Conference
Albertus Magnus College [lower-alpha 1] Falcons [5] New Haven, Connecticut 1925Private2023–present GNAC
Anna Maria College [lower-alpha 2] Amcats [6] Paxton, Massachusetts 1946Private2018–present GNAC
(MASCAC in 2025)
Hilbert College Hawks Hamburg, New York 1957Private
(Catholic)		2022–present AMCC
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts [lower-alpha 2] Trailblazers [7] North Adams, Massachusetts 1894Public2023–present MASCAC
Rivier University [lower-alpha 2] Raiders [8] Nashua, New Hampshire 1933Private2021–present GNAC
Worcester State University [lower-alpha 2] Lancers [9] Worcester, Massachusetts 1874Public2021–present MASCAC
Notes
  1. ↑ Joining NEHC in 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Joining MASCAC in 2024.

Current programs which were previously independent

The NCAA did not start numerical classification until 1973. Prior to that teams played either in the University Division, which became Division I, or the College Division, which was split into Divisions II and III. Independent teams prior to 1973 are outlined on the Division II page.

Men

SchoolTeamLocationYearsSubsequent
conference(s)		Notes
Canisius College Ice Griffs [10] Buffalo, Pennsylvania 1986–1987 ECAC West Left Division III in 1998 to found the ice hockey division of the MAAC. Currently plays in the successor conference, Atlantic Hockey.
Castleton State College Spartans [11] Castleton, Vermont 2003–2004 ECAC East Merged into Vermont State University in 2023.
Curry College Colonels [12] Milton, Massachusetts 1974–1983 ECAC Northeast Joined CCC in 2016.
Finlandia University Lions [13] Hancock, Michigan 2002–2004 MCHA Joined NCHA in 2013. Closed in 2023.
Lake Forest College Foresters [14] Lake Forest, Illinois 1984–1986
1989–1992		 ACHA
NCHA 		Joined the MCHA in 2009 then returned to the NCHA in 2013.
Lawrence University Vikings [15] Appleton, Wisconsin 1986–1999 MCHA Joined NCHA in 2013.
Morrisville State College Mustangs [16] Morrisville, New York 2006–2007 SUNYAC
Mercyhurst College Lakers [17] Erie, Pennsylvania 1987–1988 ECAC West Left Division III in 1999 to join the ice hockey division of the MAAC. Currently plays in the successor conference, Atlantic Hockey.
Neumann University Knights [18] Aston, Pennsylvania 1998–2001 ECAC West Joined UCHC in 2017.
New Hampshire College Penmen [19] Manchester, New Hampshire 1975–1976 ECAC 3 Founded ice hockey division of Northeast-10 in 2009, raising to the Division II level.
Quinnipiac College Braves [20] Hamden, Connecticut 1975–1976 ECAC 3 Left Division III in 1998 to found the ice hockey division of the MAAC. Later played in the successor conference, Atlantic Hockey, before joining ECAC Hockey.
St. Norbert College Green Knights [21] De Pere, Wisconsin 1988–1994 NCHA
College of St. Scholastica Saints [22] Duluth, Minnesota 1982–1983
1992–1994		 NCHA
NCHA 		Briefly left the NCHA in the early 1990s, current member of the MIAC
Skidmore College Thoroughbreds [23] Saratoga Springs, New York 1982–1983 ECAC 3 Joined ECAC East in 1998.
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers [24] Stevens Point, Wisconsin 1984–1986 NCHA Founded ice hockey division of WIAC in 2013.

Women

Defunct teams

Men

SchoolTeamLocationYearsSubsequent
conference(s)		Notes
Becker College Hawks [25] Worcester, Massachusetts 2006–2007 ECAC Northeast Joined CCC in 2016. College closed in 2021.
Bryn Athyn College Lions [26] Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania 2017–2021NoneDropped program to club status.
Daniel Webster College Eagles [27] Nashua, New Hampshire 2015–2017NoneDaniel Webster College was closed in 2017 after its parent institution, ITT Technical Institute, declared bankruptcy in 2016. [28]
Iona College Gaels [29] New Rochelle, New York 1967–1977† ECAC 3 Left Division III in 1998 to found the ice hockey division of the MAAC. Suspended program in 2003.
University of Scranton Royals [30] Scranton, Pennsylvania 1985–1991
1994–2004		 ECAC West
None		Scranton dramatically reduced the number of games its team played after 1998 until deciding to stop all support in 2004.
St. Bonaventure University Brown Indians St. Bonaventure, New York 1982–1986 ECAC West St. Bonaventure downgraded the program to club status in 1993.

† Prior to 1973 Division III did not exist. Teams played in the College Division which was divided into the second- and third-tier during reclassification.

Women

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Albertus Magnus Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Anna Maria Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Rivier Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Canton Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Albertus Magnus Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Anna Maria Women's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Women's Hockey set to Kick-off Inaugural Season". MCLA Trailblazers. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Rivier Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Worcester State Women's Hockey Team History". USCHO. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Canisius Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Castleton Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Curry Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Finlandia Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Lake Forest Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Lawrence Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Morrisville Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Mercyhurst Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Neumann Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Southern New Hampshire Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Quinnipiac Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  21. ↑ "St. Norbert Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  22. ↑ "St. Scholastica Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Skidmore Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Wisconsin–Stevens Point Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Becker Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Bryn Athyn Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Daniel Webster Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  28. ↑ Hayward, Mark (September 13, 2016). "SNHU to 'rescue' Daniel Webster College". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Iona Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Scranton Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
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