The 1996–97 Eliteserien season was the 58th season of ice hockey in Norway. Ten teams participated in the league, and Storhamar Ishockey won the championship.
| Club | GP | W | T | L | GF–GA | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 36 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 222:58 | 68 | ||
| 2. | 36 | 27 | 0 | 9 | 215:99 | 54 | ||
| 3. | 36 | 22 | 2 | 12 | 143:107 | 46 | ||
| 4. | 36 | 21 | 1 | 14 | 170:123 | 43 | ||
| 5. | 36 | 20 | 2 | 14 | 153:133 | 42 | ||
| 6. | 36 | 17 | 3 | 16 | 159:160 | 37 | ||
| 7. | 36 | 13 | 2 | 21 | 127:179 | 28 | ||
| 8. | 36 | 8 | 1 | 27 | 115:216 | 17 | ||
| 9. | 36 | 6 | 3 | 27 | 96:211 | 15 | ||
| 10. | 36 | 5 | 0 | 31 | 88:232 | 10 |