United Collegiate Hockey Cup

Last updated
United Collegiate Hockey Cup
Centene Community Ice Center.jpg
The Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, MO, will host the inaugural UCHC tournament.
Sport College ice hockey
ConferenceIndependent teams
Number of teams5
Format Single-elimination
Current stadium Centene Community Ice Center
Current location Maryland Heights, Missouri
PlayedBeginning 2026

The United Collegiate Hockey Cup is an end-of-season tournament for the independent teams playing NCAA Division I college ice hockey. As the participants in the tournament are not part of any conference, this tournament effectively acts as a de facto conference tournament for the independent teams, [1] though it does not guarantee a bid into the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament. [2]

Contents

History

Beginning in late 2024, the five independent college hockey teams, Lindenwood, Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, LIU, and Stonehill, began talks about creating an end-of-season tournament so that they would have something to play for at the end of the season while all other teams were participating in their conference tournaments. [3] While not a formation of an official conference, the schools noted at the time that participation in the tournament may eventually lead to the creation of a new conference of independent teams. [3]

On May 5, 2025, Lindenwood announced that they would be hosting the first iteration of the United Collegiate Hockey Cup at their home rink, the Centene Community Ice Center in March 2026. [1] The event would take place over the course of three days and allow all five independent teams a chance to play at least two games. Stonehill Athletic Director Dean O'Keefe stated the importance of the event and how every team deserves a chance to compete for a championship, and that this tournament would allow the independent schools to do so. [2] Multiple athletic directors celebrated the event as the inaugural postseason championship for the independent schools. [1]

Champions

Championship Appearances

References

  1. 1 2 3 "NCAA Division I Independent Hockey Teams To Compete For The United Collegiate Hockey Cup Hosted At Centene Community Ice Center". Lindenwood University Athletics. 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  2. 1 2 Staff, USCHO (2025-05-09). "NCAA Division I independent men's hockey teams to compete for inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup in March 2026". College Hockey | USCHO.com. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  3. 1 2 "Independents Discussing Plan to Come Together". College Hockey News. Retrieved 2025-06-26.


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