The NCAA DIII hockey world is often looked down upon but with it growing more and more recently, it’s starting to gain traction and getting noticed. We’re here to take a look at the best programs based on based on three metrics: team record, player advancements to the NCAA DI, AHL, ECHL, & SPHL specifically in the past 5 years and all-time NCAA DIII National Championships. Let’s dive in!
Rankings (’20/21-’24/25)
10. Trinity College | Hartford Connecticut
- Team Record: W: 70, L: 26, T: 5
- Advancements: Unavailable
- NCAA DIII Championships: 1
9. Endicott College | Beverly, Massachusetts
- Team Record: W: 73, L: 20, T: 8
- Advancements: ECHL: 1, SPHL: 4
- NCAA DIII Championships: 0
8. Elmira College | Elmira, New York
- Team Record: W: 68, L: 34, T: 7
- Advancements: ECHL: 3, SPHL: 6
- NCAA DIII Championships: 0
7. SUNY Geneseo | Geneseo, New York
- Team Record: W: 73, L: 17 T: 4
- Advancements: AHL: 1, ECHL: 5, SPHL: 9
- NCAA DIII Championships: 0
6. St. Norbert | De Pere, Wisconsin
- Team Record: W: 76, L: 26, T: 2
- Advancements: ECHL: 3, SPHL: 2
- NCAA DIII Championships: 5
5. Hobart College | Geneva, New York
- Team Record: W: 88, L: 10, T: 3
- Advancements: NCAA D1: 3, SPHL: 2
- NCAA DIII Championships: 2 (Back-to-back champions: 2023 & 2024)
- Limited # of advancements is why they aren’t ranked #1
4. Norwich University | Northfield, Vermont
- Team Record: W: 70, L: 23, T: 14
- Advancements: NCAA D1: 1, AHL: 1, ECHL: 5, SPHL: 10
- NCAA DIII Championships: 4
3. Utica University | Utica, New York
- Team Record: W: 92, L: 10, T: 3
- Advancements: NCAA D1: 1, ECHL: 7, SPHL: 12
- NCAA DIII Championships: 0
2. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Stevens Point, Wisconsin
- Team Record: W: 88, L: 10 T: 3
- Advancements: AHL: 1, ECHL: 3, SPHL: 8
- NCAA DIII Championships: 6
1. Adrian College | Adrian, Michigan
- Team Record: W: 109, L: 22, T: 4
- Advancements: AHL: 1, ECHL: 11, SPHL: 9
- NCAA DIII Championships: 1 (2022 Champions)
Team records can be found on www.myhockeyrankings.com from 20/21-24/25. The 2020/2021 season was shortened/cancelled due to Covid. The 2024/2025 is still in progress. Advancements found on www.eliteprospects.com. This does not include advancements for the 2025-2026 season.*
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