AWCHA

In 1997-98, the American Women's College Hockey Alliance debuted. It was a program funded through the United States Olympic Committee/NCAA Conference Grant Program. The AWCHA organized and developed activities with collegiate women's varsity ice hockey teams, and helped to promote women's ice hockey at all NCAA levels. The first AWCHA Division I National Ice Hockey Championship was held in March 1998. The New Hampshire Wildcats defeated the Brown Bears by a 4-1 score, to become the first recognized national champion in women's college ice hockey. There were two more AWCHA National Championships and then the NCAA became involved. In August 2000, the NCAA announced it would hold its first Division I Women's Ice Hockey National Championship. The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs captured the first NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey Championship, defeating the St. Lawrence Skating Saints by a 4-2 tally on March 25, 2001.

American Women's College Hockey Alliance champions
Prior to the NCAA establishing a women's ice hockey championship, the AWCHA held a championship from 1997-98 season to 1999-2000 season. Below are those champions.

Division I

 * 1998 New Hampshire
 * 1999 Harvard
 * 2000 Minnesota

Division III

 * 1998 not held
 * 1999 not held
 * 2000 Middlebury Panthers
 * 2001 Middlebury Panthers

Laura Hurd Award
The Laura Hurd Award is given to the AHCA Women’s Ice Hockey College Player of the Year