1996–97 CHL season

The 1996–97 CHL season was the fifth season of the Central Hockey League (CHL).

Franchise changes

 * The league added the previously established Huntsville Channel Cats from the Southern Hockey League
 * The league also added previously announced expansion teams; Columbus Cottonmouths, Macon Whoopee, and Nashville Nighthawks from the now defunct SHL

Final Standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SOL = Shootout loss; Pts = Points; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against

Format
The top four teams in each division qualify. The quarter round was best-of-five. The semifinal and final rounds were best-of-seven.

Quarterfinals

 * Huntsville defeated Columbus, 3 games to none; 5-3, 8-3, 4-1
 * Memphis defeated Macon, 3 games to 2; 3-6, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2 (ot), 3-2
 * Fort Worth defeated Tulsa, 3 games to 2; 6-5, 3-4, 4-3, 1-6, 3-0
 * Wichita defeated Oklahoma City, 3 games to 1; 1-4, 4-2, 3-2, 6-5 (ot)

Semifinals

 * Fort Worth defeated Wichita, 4 games to 1; 4-2, 6-4, 3-4, 4-3, 5-4
 * Memphis defeated Huntsville, 4 games to 2; 5-4 (ot), 6-4, 5-7, 3-5, 4-2, 4-3

Final

 * Fort Worth defeated Memphis, 4 games to 3; 4-1, 5-6 (ot), 2-1, 0-4, 1-3, 4-3, 3-2