NCAA Division I impartial males’s hockey groups to compete for inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup in March 2026

The Centene Group Ice Middle in Maryland Heights, Missouri, will host the United Collegiate Hockey Cup from March 5-7, 2026, bringing collectively 5 NCAA Division I males’s hockey applications for a postseason showdown.

The occasion will function Lindenwood, Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, Lengthy Island and Stonehill. The five-team event will embody a play-in recreation, with all groups assured a minimum of two video games over the three-day competitors.

This event offers these applications with a premier alternative to compete for a championship — the United Collegiate Hockey Cup — “additional elevating the stature of school hockey on the NCAA Division I stage,” based on a information launch. The profitable group is not going to earn an computerized bid to the NCAA event.

“We’re thrilled to carry this event to the St. Louis market,” mentioned Jason Coomer, vp for intercollegiate athletics at Lindenwood, in a press release. “This occasion not solely offers a aggressive platform for our student-athletes but additionally showcases the expansion and high quality of impartial NCAA hockey applications on a nationwide stage.”

“The fervour and dedication of those student-athletes deserves to be highlighted,” added Brock Anundson, director of athletics at Alaska. “This event is about creating significant postseason alternatives and demonstrating the energy of those hockey applications within the NCAA panorama. We’re grateful to Lindenwood and the St. Louis group for internet hosting this inaugural occasion.”

Tickets for the United Collegiate Hockey Cup will go on sale August 1, 2025, and could be bought at lindenwoodlions.com.

“The flexibility to compete for a championship is a vital a part of each student-athlete’s expertise, and we’re excited this occasion will present that chance for every taking part program,” mentioned Dean O’Keefe, director of athletics at Stonehill. “We admire the St. Louis group welcoming this inaugural occasion to their area, and we look ahead to Stonehill being a part of this Division I post-season event.”