As of the 2022–23 season, there were 72 teams competing in NCAA Division III women’s hockey across eight conferences with four independent programs.
NCAA Division III women's ice hockey may begin formal practice on October 15 and are limited to 25 games in the regular season. Four of the five conferences begin practice on this date (all except for the New England Small College Athletic Conference) and once the season begins, most teams practice or play six days per week.
The women's ice hockey championship includes eight conferences for the NCAA Division III. A conference with seven or more affiliated programs automatically qualifies for the NCAA DIII Women's Ice Hockey Tournament. Thus, currently, there are seven automatic bids, as the WIAC does not have enough teams to qualify for an auto-bid.
Conferences[]
Commonwealth Coast Conference[]
The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) is a college athletic conference which competes in NCAA Division III. The CCC schools are located in the New England region of the United States. There are currently seven women's hockey-playing schools in the league.
- Curry College (Colonels) - Milton, Massachusetts
- Endicott College (Gulls) - Beverly, Massachusetts
- Nichols College (Bison) - Dudley, Massachusetts
- Salve Regina University (Seahawks) - Newport, Rhode Island
- Suffolk University (Rams) - Boston, Massachusetts
- University of New England (Nor'easters) - Biddeford, Maine
- Western New England University (Golden Bears) - Springfield, Massachusetts
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference[]
The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) is a college athletic conference, which competes in the NCAA’s Division III. The MIAC schools are located in the state of Minnesota. There are currently ten women's hockey-playing schools in the league.
- Augsburg University (Auggies) – Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Bethel University (Royals) – Arden Hills, Minnesota
- Concordia College (Cobbers) – Moorhead, Minnesota
- Gustavus Adolphus College (Golden Gusties) – St. Peter, Minnesota
- Hamline University (Pipers) – St. Paul, Minnesota
- College of Saint Benedict (Bennies) – St. Joseph, Minnesota
- Saint Mary’s University (Cardinals) – Winona, Minnesota
- St. Catherine University (Wildcats) – St. Paul, Minnesota
- St. Olaf College (Oles) – Northfield, Minnesota
- College of St. Scholastica (Saints) – Duluth, Minnesota
New England Hockey Conference[]
The New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) is a college athletic conference, which competes in the NCAA’s Division III. The NEHC schools are located in the northeastern United States. There are currently ten women's hockey-playing schools in the league.
- Castleton University (Spartans) - Castleton, Vermont
- Elmira College (Soaring Eagles) - Elmira, New York
- Johnson & Wales University (Wildcats) - Providence, Rhode Island
- New England College (Pilgrims) - Henniker, New Hampshire
- Norwich University (Cadets) - Northfield, Vermont
- Plymouth State University (Panthers) - Plymouth, New Hampshire
- Salem State University (Vikings) - Salem, Massachusetts
- University of Southern Maine (Huskies) - Gorham, Maine
- University of Massachusetts Boston (Beacons) - Boston, Massachusetts
- William Smith College (Herons) - Geneva, New York
New England Small College Athletic Conference[]
The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) is a college athletic conference, which competes in the NCAA’s Division III. The NESCAC schools are located in the northeastern United States. There are currently nine women's hockey-playing schools in the league.
- Amherst College (Mammoths) – Amherst, Massachusetts
- Bowdoin College (Polar Bears) – Brunswick, Maine
- Colby College (Mules) – Waterville, Maine
- Connecticut College (Camels) – New London, Connecticut
- Hamilton College (Continentals) – Clinton, New York
- Middlebury College (Panthers) – Middlebury, Vermont
- Trinity College (Bantams) – Hartford, Connecticut
- Wesleyan University (Cardinals) – Middletown, Connecticut
- Williams College (Ephs) – Williamstown, Massachusetts
Northeast Women's Hockey League[]
The Northeast Women's Hockey League (NEWHL) is a college athletic conference, which competes in the NCAA’s Division III. The NEWHL schools are located in the state of New York. There are currently seven women's hockey-playing schools in the league.
- Buffalo State College (Bengals) - Buffalo, New York
- State University of New York at Canton (Kangaroos) - Canton, New York
- State University of New York College at Cortland (Red Dragons) - Cortland, New York
- Morrisville State College (Mustangs) - Morrisville, New York
- State University of New York at Oswego (Lakers) - Oswego, New York
- State University of New York at Plattsburgh (Cardinals) - Plattsburgh, New York
- State University of New York at Potsdam (Bears) - Potsdam, New York
Northern Collegiate Hockey Association[]
The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) is a college athletic conference, which competes in the NCAA’s Division III. The NCHA schools are located in the midwestern United States. There are currently nine women's hockey-playing schools in the league.
- Adrian College (Bulldogs) - Adrian, Michigan
- Aurora University (Spartans) - Aurora, Illinois
- Concordia University Wisconsin (Falcons) - Mequon, Wisconsin
- Finlandia University (Lions) - Hancock, Michigan
- Lake Forest College (Foresters) - Lake Forest, Illinois
- Lawrence University (Vikings) - Appleton, Wisconsin
- Marian University (Sabres) - Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
- St. Norbert College (Green Knights) - De Pere, Wisconsin
- Trine University (Thunder) - Angola, Indiana
United Collegiate Hockey Conference[]
The United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) is a college athletic conference, which competes in the NCAA’s Division III. The UCHC schools are located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. There are currently eleven women's hockey-playing schools in the league.
- Alvernia University (Golden Wolves) - Reading, Pennsylvania
- Arcadia University (Knights) - Glenside, Pennsylvania
- Chatham University (Cougars) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- King's College (Monarchs) - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Lebanon Valley College (Flying Dutchmen) - Annville, Pennsylvania
- Manhattanville College (Valiants) - Purchase, New York
- Nazareth College (Golden Flyers) - Pittsford, New York
- Neumann University (Knights) - Aston, Pennsylvania
- Stevenson University (Mustangs) - Stevenson, Maryland
- Utica University (Pioneers) - Utica, New York
- Wilkes University (Colonels) - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference[]
The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) is a college athletic conference, which competes in the NCAA’s Division III. The WIAC schools are located in the state of Wisconsin. There are currently five women's hockey-playing schools in the league. Due to only having five teams, the WIAC does not receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
- Northland College (LumberJills) - Ashland, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (Blugolds) - Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (Falcons) - River Falls, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Pointers) - Stevens Point, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin-Superior (Yellowjackets) - Superior, Wisconsin
Independents[]
There are currently four independent women's hockey programs within Division III.
- Anna Maria College (Amcats) - Paxton, Massachusetts
- Hilbert College (Hawks) - Hamburg, New York
- Rivier University (Raiders) - Nashua, New Hampshire
- Worcester State University (Lancers) - Worcester, Massachusetts
List of champions[]
| Year | Champion | Score | Runner-up |
| 2002 | Elmira | 2–1 | Manhattanville |
| 2003 | Elmira | 5–1 | Manhattanville |
| 2004 | Middlebury | 2–1 | UW-Stevens Point |
| 2005 | Middlebury | 4–3 | Elmira |
| 2006 | Middlebury | 3–1 | Plattsburgh |
| 2007 | Plattsburgh | 2–1 | Middlebury |
| 2008 | Plattsburgh | 3–2 | Manhattanville |
| 2009 | Amherst | 4–3 (OT) | Elmira |
| 2010 | Amherst | 7–2 | Norwich |
| 2011 | Norwich | 5–2 | RIT |
| 2012 | RIT | 4–1 | Norwich |
| 2013 | Elmira | 1–0 | Middlebury |
| 2014 | Plattsburgh | 9–2 | Norwich |
| 2015 | Plattsburgh | 3–2 | Elmira |
| 2016 | Plattsburgh | 5–1 | UW-River Falls |
| 2017 | Plattsburgh | 4–3 (OT) | Adrian |
| 2018 | Norwich | 2–1 | Elmira |
| 2019 | Plattsburgh | 4–0 | Hamline |
| 2020 | Cancelled after opening round due to the coronavirus pandemic | ||
| 2021 | Tournament cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic | ||
| 2022 | Middlebury | 3-2 (OT) | Gustavus Adolphus |
| 2023 | Gustavus Adolphus | 3-1 (3OT) | Amherst |
Awards and honors[]
Laura Hurd Award[]
The Laura Hurd Award is an annual award given to the top player in NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey. It is given by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Since 2007, it has been named after Laura Hurd, a stand-out player for Elmira College who was killed in a car accident. Previously, it was known as the Division III Women’s Player of the Year Award.
Award winners[]
| Year | Winner | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Sylvia Ryan | Forward | Middlebury College |
| 2001 | Michelle Labbe | Forward | Middlebury College |
| 2002 | Sarah Moe | Forward | Gustavus Adolphus College |
| 2003 | Angela Kapus | Forward/Defense | Middlebury College |
| 2004 | Molly Wasserman | Forward | Williams College |
| 2005 | Laura Hurd | Forward | Elmira College |
| 2006 | Emily Quizon | Forward | Middlebury College |
| 2007 | Andrea Peterson | Defense | Gustavus Adolphus College |
| 2008 | Danielle Blanchard[1] | Forward | SUNY Plattsburgh |
| 2009 | Kayla Coady | Forward | Elmira College |
| 2010 | Isabel Iwachiw | Goaltender | Trinity College |
| 2011 | Sarah Dagg[2] | Forward | Rochester Institute of Technology |
| 2012 | Julie Fortier[3] | Forward | Norwich University |
| 2013 | Teal Gove[4] | Forward | SUNY Plattsburgh |
| 2014 | Sydney Aveson[5] | Goaltender | SUNY Plattsburgh |
| 2015 | Ashley Ryan[6] | Forward | Elmira |
| 2016 | Michelle Greeneway[7] | Forward | Lake Forest |
| 2017 | Dani Sibley[7] | Forward | UW-River Falls |
| 2018 | Melissa Sheeran[7] | Forward | Plattsburgh |
| 2019 | Bre Simon[8] | Forward | Hamline University |
| 2020 | Amanda Conway[9] | Forward | Norwich University |
| 2021 | Not awarded | ||
| 2022 | Callie Hoff | Forward | UW-River Falls |
| 2023 | Darci Matson | Forward | Aurora University |
- NCAA Division I Women's Hockey conferences and teams
- National Collegiate women's ice hockey championship
- Women's Hockey Coaches with 250 wins
References[]
- ↑ American Hockey Coaches Association. ahcahockey.com. Retrieved on 2016-07-21.
- ↑ Tiger hockey—women and men—set national records at season’s end - RIT News - Athenaeum. rit.edu. Retrieved on 2016-07-21.
- ↑ Julie Fortier wins Laura Hurd Award :: USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online. uscho.com. Retrieved on 2016-07-21.
- ↑ American Hockey Coaches Association - Teal Gove of Plattsburgh State is D-III Women's Player of the Year. ahcahockey.com. Retrieved on 2016-07-21.
- ↑ Sydney Aveson wins Laura Hurd award; Women's All-Americans announced - D3hockey. d3hockey.com. Retrieved on 2016-07-21.
- ↑ American Hockey Coaches Association - Ashley Ryan of Elmira is D-III Women's Hockey Player of the Year. ahcahockey.com. Retrieved on 2016-07-21.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Finalists Announced for 2019 Laura Hurd Aware Winner; Women's All-Americans announced - D3hockey. d3hockey.com. Retrieved on 2016-07-21.
- ↑ Hamline's Bre Simon is 2019 Laura Hurd Award Winner as AHCA Division III Women's Player of the Year; Women's All-Americans announced - D3hockey. d3hockey.com. Retrieved on 2016-07-21.
- ↑ Norwich's Amanda Conway is 2020 Laura Hurd Award Winner As AHCA Division III Women's Player of the Year (en).
External links[]
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