| Year: | 1981 |
| Gender: | men's |
| Division: | Division II |
| Teams: | 4 |
| Frozenfourarena: | Merrimack Athletics Complex |
| Frozenfourcity: | North Andover, Massachusetts |
| Champions: | Lowell Chiefs |
| Titlecount: | 2nd |
| Champgamecount: | 2nd |
| Champffcount: | 3rd |
| Runnerup: | Plattsburgh Cardinals |
| Gamecount: | 1st |
| Runnerffcount: | 1st |
| Semifinal1: | Mankato State Mavericks |
| Frozenfourcount: | 4th |
| Semifinal2: | Concordia Cobbers |
| Frozenfourcount2: | 1st |
| Coach: | Bill Riley Jr. |
| Coachcount: | 2nd |
| Mop: | Tom Mulligan |
| Mopteam: | Lowell |
| Attendance: | 3,769 |
The 1981 NCAA Men's Division II Ice Hockey Tournament involved 4 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college ice hockey. A total of 4 games were played, hosted by Merrimack College.
The University of Lowell, coached by Bill Riley, won the national title with a 5-4 victory in the final game over Plattsburgh.
Tom Mulligan, of the University of Lowell, was named the Most Outstanding Player and was the high scorer of the tournament with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists).
Due to the lack of conferences and tournaments for western schools the NCAA held a regional tournament to help select teams for the national tournament. The western regional tournament is not considered as part of the NCAA championship but is included here for reference. No automatic bids were offered.
| Team | Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Concordia (MN) | 21–7–1 | |
| Lowell | 25–5–0 | |
| Mankato State | 27–10–0 | |
| Plattsburgh State | 26–3–2 |
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)