NCAA Division II independent schools (ice hockey)

NCAA Division II independent schools are teams that compete in NCAA ice hockey but are not members of a conference. There are currently no independents at the Division II level, however, several teams were previously independents while under D-II classification.

Current independent programs

As of 2020, only seven teams play at the Division II level with all belonging to the same conference (Northeast-10 Conference).

Current programs which were previously independent

The NCAA did not start numerical classification until 1973. Prior to that teams played either in the University Division, which became Division I, or the College Division, which was split into Divisions II and III. College Division independents are listed here for reference as a majority of the College Division programs joined the Division II level regardless of where their respective schools were reclassified.

During the 1960s and 70s most western schools competed in the NAIA and did not fall under the jurisdiction of the NCAA. This began to change once the NCAA instituted the Division II Tournament in 1978. In some cases NCAA teams were invited to participate in the NAIA tournament, leaving the ordering of schools at that time unclear.

Men

SchoolTeamLocationYearsSubsequent
conference(s)
Notes
University of Alabama in HuntsvilleChargers[1]Huntsville, Alabama1986–1987
1992–1998
Division I
Division I
Played one season at the Division II level after transferring from NAIA before raising to the D-I level. Returned to D-II when the national tournament was restarted and left in preparation to join a D-I conference (CHA). Currently played in the WCHA.
Babson CollegeBeavers[2]Wellesley, Massachusetts1965–1967ECAC 2Remained an independent at the D-III level. Currently plays in NEHC.
Bentley CollegeFalcons[3]Waltham, Massachusetts1998–1999MAACPlayed one season at the Division II level before raising to Division I. Currently plays in the MAAC's successor conference, Atlantic Hockey.
Elmira CollegeSoaring Eagles[4]Elmira, New York1974–1976ECAC 2Currently plays in UCHC.
Lake Forest CollegeForesters[5]Lake Forest, Illinois1965–1984Division IIIRemained an independent at the D-III level. Currently plays in the NCHA.
Lowell TechTerriers[6]Lowell, Massachusetts1967–1968ECAC 2Raised to Division I in 1983. Became University of Massachusetts Lowell in 1993. Currently plays in Hockey East.
Mankato State UniversityMavericks[7]Mankato, Minnesota1969–1980
1992–1996
NCHA
Division I
Left NCHA in 1992 to compete fully at the Division II level. Program was raised to D-I four years later due to the lack of interest from other D-II schools. Became Minnesota State University in 2000.
New England CollegePilgrims[8]Henniker, New Hampshire1969–1971ECAC 2Currently plays in NEHC.
Nichols CollegeBison[9]Dudley, Massachusetts1964–1966ECAC 2Currently plays in CCC.
Plymouth State CollegePanthers[10]Plymouth, New Hampshire1971–1973ECAC 3
Post UniversityEagles[11]Waterbury, Connecticut2016–2019Northeast-10
Salem State CollegeVikings[12]Salem, Massachusetts1964–1967ECAC 2Currently plays in MASCAC.
St. Cloud State UniversityHuskies[13]St. Cloud, Minnesota1964–1980NCHAProgram was promoted to Division I in 1987. Currently plays in the NCHC.
The College at Brockport, State University of New YorkGolden Eagles[14]Brockport, New York1973–1976ECAC 2Founded ice hockey division of SUNYAC in 1992.
State University of New York at GeneseoKnights[15]Geneseo, New York1975–1976ECAC 2Founded ice hockey division of SUNYAC in 1992.
State University of New York at PlattsburghCardinals[16]Plattsburgh, New York1975–1976ECAC 2Founded ice hockey division of SUNYAC in 1992.
University of Wisconsin–Stevens PointPointers[17]Stevens Point, Wisconsin1981–1984Division IIIRemained an independent at the D-III level. Currently plays in the WIAC.

† played as an independent prior to the formal creation of lower-tier ice hockey in 1964.

Defunct teams

Men

SchoolTeamLocationYearsSubsequent
conference(s)
Notes
Boston State CollegeWarriorsBoston, Massachusetts1964–1966ECAC 2Merged with University of Massachusetts Boston in 1982.
University of BuffaloBullsBuffalo, New York1969–1971ECAC 2Suspended program in 1987.
University of FindlayOilers[18]Findlay, Ohio1996–1998MCHAJoined Division I CHA after one year in the MCHA. Program was suspended in 2004.
University of Minnesota CrookstonGolden Eagles[19]Crookston, Minnesota1998–1999MCHAWas forced to leave the MCHA in 2009 due to NCAA regulations barring higher-tier teams from participating in Division III conferences. Suspended program when no other nearby Division II schools were willing to start ice hockey programs.
North Adams State CollegeMohawksNorth Adams, Massachusetts1971–1972
1974–1975
ECAC 3
ECAC 2
School changed name to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts before dropping ice hockey in 2003.

† played as an independent prior to the formal creation of lower-tier ice hockey in 1964.

See also

References

  1. "Alabama Huntsville Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  2. "Babson Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  3. "Bentley Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  4. "Elmira Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  5. "Lake Forest Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  6. "UMass Lowell Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  7. "Minnesota State Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  8. "New England College Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  9. "Nichols Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  10. "Plymouth State Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  11. "Post Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  12. "Salem State Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  13. "St. Cloud State Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  14. "Brockport Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  15. "Geneseo Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  16. "Plattsburgh Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  17. "Wisconsin–Stevens Point Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  18. "Findlay Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  19. "Minnesota–Crookston Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
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