NCAA Division III independent schools are teams that compete in NCAA ice hockey but are not members of a conference. There are also several current and former schools that previously competed as Division III independents.
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. Independent teams prior to 1973 are outlined on the Division II page.
| School | Team | Location | Years | Subsequent conference(s) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons[1] | 2019–2024 | Joining UCHC in 2025. | ||||
| Amcats[2] | 2018–2024 | |||||
| Ice Griffs[3] | 1986–1987 | Left Division III in 1998 to found the ice hockey division of the MAAC. Currently plays in the successor conference, Atlantic Hockey. | ||||
| Spartans[4] | 2003–2004 | Merged into Vermont State University in 2023. | ||||
| Colonels[5] | 1974–1983 | Joined CCC in 2016. | ||||
| Lions[6] | 2002–2004 | Joined NCHA in 2013. Closed in 2023. | ||||
| Foresters[7] | 1984–1986 1989–1992 | Joined the MCHA in 2009 then returned to the NCHA in 2013. | ||||
| Vikings[8] | 1986–1999 | Joined NCHA in 2013. | ||||
| Mustangs[9] | 2006–2007 | |||||
| Lakers[10] | 1987–1988 | Left Division III in 1999 to join the ice hockey division of the MAAC. Currently plays in the successor conference, Atlantic Hockey. | ||||
| Knights[11] | 1998–2001 | Joined UCHC in 2017. | ||||
| Penmen[12] | 1975–1976 | Founded ice hockey division of Northeast-10 in 2009, raising to the Division II level. | ||||
| Braves[13] | 1975–1976 | Left Division III in 1998 to found the ice hockey division of the MAAC. Later played in the successor conference, Atlantic Hockey, before joining ECAC Hockey. | ||||
| Raiders[14] | 2021–2024 | |||||
| Green Knights[15] | 1988–1994 | |||||
| Saints[16] | 1982–1983 1992–1994 | Briefly left the NCHA in the early 1990s, current member of the MIAC | ||||
| Thoroughbreds[17] | 1982–1983 | Joined ECAC East in 1998. | ||||
| Kangaroos[18] | 2012–2024 | |||||
| Pointers[19] | 1984–1986 | Founded ice hockey division of WIAC in 2013. |
| School | Team | Location | Years | Subsequent conference(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons[20] | 2023–2024 | Joining UCHC in 2025. | |||
| Amcats[21] | 2018–2024 | ||||
| Trailblazers[22] | 2023–2024 | ||||
| Raiders[23] | 2021–2022 | ||||
| Lancers[24] | 2021–2024 | ||||
| School | Team | Location | Years | Subsequent conference(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawks[25] | 2006–2007 | Joined CCC in 2016. College closed in 2021. | |||
| Lions[26] | 2017–2021 | None | Dropped program to club status. | ||
| Eagles[27] | 2015–2017 | None | Daniel Webster College was closed in 2017 after its parent institution, ITT Technical Institute, declared bankruptcy in 2016.[28] | ||
| Gaels[29] | 1967–1977† | Left Division III in 1998 to found the ice hockey division of the MAAC. Suspended program in 2003. | |||
| Royals[30] | 1985–1991 1994–2004 | ECAC West None | Scranton dramatically reduced the number of games its team played after 1998 until deciding to stop all support in 2004. | ||
| 1982–1986 | St. Bonaventure downgraded the program to club status in 1993. | ||||