The 2026 United Collegiate Hockey Cup is the inaugural tournament arranged for independent Division I programs. It was played between March 5 and March 7, 2026, at the Centene Community Ice Center in St. Charles, Missouri.
Format The tournament features three rounds of play. The five competing teams were sorted based upon their record in games against each other. The top three teams received a bye into the semifinal round while the two lowest-ranked teams played in a quarterfinal game. The winner of the quarterfinal game (Game One) advanced to play the top overall seed (Game Three). The loser of the quarterfinal match would play in the first consolation game (Game Four). The second- and third-ranked teams played in a semifinal match (Game Two) with the winner advancing to the championship (Game Six) and the loser being relegated to a consolation game (Game Four). The winner of the semifinal that included the top overall seed (Game Three) advanced to the championship game (Game Six) while the loser would face the victor of the first consolation game (Game Four) in a second consolation game (Game Five).
Conference standings
Bracket Bracket
Note: * denotes overtime period(s) Note: † denotes shootout win
Results Note: All game times are local.
Quarterfinal (4) Stonehill vs. (5) Alaska Anchorage
Semifinals (1) Alaska vs. (4) Stonehill
(2) Lindenwood vs. (3) Long Island
Championship
(1) Alaska vs. (2) Lindenwood
Consolation Semifinal
(3) Long Island vs. (5) Alaska Anchorage
Third Place Game
(3) Long Island vs. (4) Stonehill
Tournament awards All-Tournament Team G Lassi Lehti* (Alaska) D Nolan Seed (Alaska) D Nathan Rickey (Lindenwood) F Michael Citara (Alaska) F Jacob Fletcher (Lindenwood) F Noah Serdachny (Long Island) * Most Valuable Player(s)
References