As the talent gap narrows, pitting powerhouse Division III champions against Independent DI programs would test the "trickle-down effect" and ignite a bold new postseason tradition.
In the nearly two years following the inclusion of CHL Players to NCAA hockey, the five Independent programs (University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Lindenwood University, Long Island University and Stonehill College) have added impactful pieces from the CHL to their teams. While they are not typically the recipients of at-large NCAA Tournament bids, this quintet created their own championship: the United Collegiate Hockey Cup (UCHC).
This inaugural UCHC was played in Maryland Heights, MO this past March. The University of Alaska Anchorage won this first championship against Lindenwood in a thrilling 4-3 overtime finish. Under the presumption that the UCHC continues as an annual tournament, it should include the NCAA Division III National Champions as a sixth team.
As I have written previously, the Trickle Down Effect has without question helped benefit NCAA Hockey. The overall increase in talent not only elevates Division I but also Division III. This influx of talent into Division III has gotten to the point where their top teams could potentially contend with some of the smaller Division I programs.
There is precedent for this type of crossover. On December 28, 2024, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas' ACHA (Club) team took on the reigning NCAA Champion University of Denver. This exhibition game stunned the hockey world as the ACHA underdogs beat the Pioneers 7-6 in a shootout on the road. If this is the talent level of a club program under the new landscape, imagine what Division III hockey could do!
However, in recent memory, this type of matchup between DI and DIII hasn't happened, especially given the NCAA's 34 game regular season limit. This did not apply between UNLV and Denver, since UNLV is under the ACHA and not NCAA. Conference and NCAA Tournaments are exempt from that counter. According to USCHO, exceptions are made for "some in-season tournaments, special games and games played in Alaska." With no conference tournament for the five Independent teams, the UCHC could count towards their 34.
Even if those contests were included, both the Independents and the Division III program would be well under the 34. Typically, Division III schools play significantly less than the NCAA maximum. Hamilton University played 24 regular season games before their run to the 2026 National Championship. Independent schools typically do not play many in-season tournaments, allowing them to stay below 34. Alaska Fairbanks played a total of 33 games in 2025-26, including their two games at the UCHC. This leaves wiggle room for both sides to play additional contests.
Hamilton College goalie Aksel Reid (center) was named most outstanding player after the NCAA Division III men's ice hockey championship game and poses with tournament all-stars (from left) Kahlil Fontana and Conor Lally from Hobart College, and fellow Continentals Lukas Tchor, Justin Biraben, John Wojciechowski and Curtiss Sturgeon at the Adirondack Bank Center at Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica, New York, Sunday, March 29, 2026. © JON RATHBUN / Herkimer Times Telegram / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesWith the logistical hurdle navigated and the smaller talent gap revealed, it makes sense to reward the best Division III hockey school at the United Collegiate Hockey Cup. In doing this, we encourage the growth of college hockey, at both the Division I and Division III levels.