OHIO UNIVERSITY, DEFENDING MEN’S DIVISION I NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, STARTS ATOP AMERICAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PRESEASON RANKING FOR 2026-2027 SEASON
Bobcats Defeated Adrian College 3-1 For First Title Since 2004
UNION LAKE, Mich. – (September 2, 2026) – Ohio University (32-6-0), the defending Men’s Division I National Champions of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, received 25 of 34 first-place votes to come in as this year’s pick for the top spot in the 2026-2027 ACHA Men’s Division I Preseason Ranking. The Bobcats, which have finished in the Top 10 for all 35 seasons of ACHA Men’s Division 1 hockey, won their fifth national championship and first since 2004. No. 2 Adrian College (30-7-2), Men’s Division I National Champions in 2018, 2021, and 2024, received four first-place votes and played in its fourth consecutive and sixth overall ACHA Men’s Division I National Championship Game. The Bulldogs have finished in the Top 5 each of the last 10 seasons and were regular season and playoff champions of Great Lakes 6 Hockey Conference (GL6). No. 3 University of Nevada-Las Vegas (27-4-2), regular season champions of the Western Collegiate Hockey League (WCHL), received one first-place vote and have finished in the Top 5 each of the last five seasons. No. 4 Minot State University (28-2-2), Men’s Division I National Champions in both 2018 and 2021 and runners-up in 2023, received three first-place votes and have finished in the Top 5 in 11 of the last 12 seasons. The Beavers, regular season and playoff champions of Midwest College Hockey (MCH), have finished no lower than ninth place in all 20 Men’s Division I Nationals it has competed in since its first appearance in 2000. Rounding out the Top 5 was Calvin University (23-9-2), which made its first semifinal game appearance and finished with its first Top 5 final ranking over its nine seasons at the Men’s Division I level.
The GL6 leads the way with six (of 7) of its member teams ranked, while MCH has three (of 5) of its member teams ranked, WCHL has five (of 10) of its member teams ranked, Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL) has two (of 6) of its member teams ranked, College Hockey Mid-America (CHMA) has one (of 7) of its member teams ranked, Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League (GLCHL) has one (of 8) of its member teams ranked, and Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA) has one (of 11) of its member teams ranked.
Over the past 23 seasons, 13 different schools have won the ACHA Men’s Division I National Championship: Lindenwood (4), Adrian (3), Minot State (3), Central Oklahoma (2), Illinois (2), Ohio (2) Arizona State, Davenport, Delaware, Nevada-Las Vegas, Oakland, Penn State, and Rhode Island.
Entering its 36th season of action, there have been a total of 15 schools that have won the ACHA Men’s Division I National Championship:
- Ohio University (5 times – 2026, 2004, 1997, 1996, 1995)
- Penn State University (5 – 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998)
- Lindenwood University (4 – 2022, 2016, 2010, 2009)
- Adrian College (3 – 2024, 2021, 2018)
- Minot State University (3 – 2023, 2019, 2013)
- University Central Oklahoma (2 – 2017, 2015)
- University of Illinois (2 – 2008, 2005)
- North Dakota State University (2 – 1994, 1993)
- University of Nevada-Las Vegas (2025)
- Arizona State University (2014)
- University of Delaware (2012)
- Davenport University (2011)
- Oakland University (2007)
- University of Rhode Island (2006)
- Iowa State University (1992)
A total of 82 teams will compete in Men’s Division I this season, including former Men’s Division II members Farmingdale State College and Sacred Heart University. The University at Buffalo program will compete in Men’s Division II this season.
The computer ranking, which will not commence until November 4, will for the thirteenth time determine the 24 teams that qualify for the 2027 ACHA Men’s Division I National Championships, which will include the following nine (9) auto bids:
- (ACCHL) Atlantic Coast College Hockey League
- (CHMA) College Hockey Mid-America
- (ECHA) Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association
- (GL6) Great Lakes Six Hockey Conference
- (GLCHL) Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League
- (MCH) Midwest College Hockey
- (NECHL) Northeast Collegiate Hockey League
- (WCHL) Western Collegiate Hockey League
- (WHAC) Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
The first ranking of the regular season will be released on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The 2027 ACHA Men’s Division I National Championships presented by FloHockey will be hosted March 11-16 for the fifth time at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo. This will be the fourth year of the 24-team format.
| 2026-2027 ACHA Men’s Division I Preseason Ranking | ||||||
| Rank | School Name | 1st Votes | 25-26 M1 Record | Pts | Previous | Conference |
| 1 | Ohio | 25 | 32-6-0 | 741 | 1 | INDEP |
| 2 | Adrian | 4 | 30-7-2 | 697 | 2 | GL6 |
| 3 | Nevada-Las Vegas | 1 | 27-4-2 | 683 | 3 | WCHL |
| 4 | Minot State | 3 | 28-2-2 | 662 | 5 | INDEP |
| 5 | Calvin | 23-9-2 | 608 | 4 | GL6 | |
| 6 | Niagara | 1 | 25-5-0 | 606 | 6 | ACCHL |
| 7 | Liberty | 19-11-2 | 578 | 7 | INDEP | |
| 8 | Jamestown | 22-12-0 | 502 | 11 | MCH | |
| 9 | Drury | 23-4-1 | 496 | 9 | INDEP | |
| 10 | Maryville | 14-11-1 | 454 | 8 | INDEP | |
| 11 | Mary | 24-14-1 | 446 | 10 | MCH | |
| 12 | Grand Canyon | 23-8-1 | 427 | 12 | WCHL | |
| 13 | Utah | 16-10-1 | 374 | 13 | WCHL | |
| 14 | Hope | 26-9-0 | 359 | 15 | GL6 | |
| 15 | Arizona | 14-10-4 | 331 | 14 | WCHL | |
| 16 | Missouri State | 16-9-5 | 287 | 16 | WCHL | |
| 17 | Purdue Northwest | 15-16-2 | 251 | 18 | GL6 | |
| 18 | Stony Brook | 17-14-3 | 218 | 17 | ACCHL | |
| 19 | Grand Valley State | 17-14-2 | 187 | 21 | GL6 | |
| 20 | Midland | 7-19-6 | 145 | 19 | MCH | |
| 21 | Indiana Pennsylvania | 27-4-4 | 116 | 20 | CHMA | |
| 22 | West Chester | 25-9-1 | 98 | 22 | ECHA | |
| 23 | Northwood | 25-9-2 | 94 | 25 | GLCHL | |
| 24 | Davenport | 18-17-5 | 84 | 24 | GL6 | |
| 25 | Illinois | 20-7-4 | 60 | 23 | INDEP | |
Others receiving votes: Rhode Island, Indiana Tech, Delaware, Pittsburgh, Arizona State, Toledo, Kentucky, Lawrence Tech, and Western Michigan.
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About American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) was founded in 1991 and is the national association for Non-NCAA Collegiate Hockey throughout the United States. Our organization of more than 560 colleges and university-affiliated teams representing 48 states provides structure, regulates operations, and promotes the sport of Hockey nationwide. With approximately 16,000 players and coaches as well as countless volunteers and game officials, the ACHA has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade and continues to be a viable option for college-bound student-athletes to continue playing competitive hockey nationwide. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, the ACHA’s primary mission is to support the growth of Collegiate Hockey while emphasizing academic performance, personal development, and opportunities for regional, national, and international competition. The ACHA identifies standards which serve to unite and regulate teams at the collegiate level and enters its 36th season in September 2026. For more information, visit achahockey.org.
