2026 Nationals Season
- Danny Baum
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
The postseason journey continues for several programs across College Hockey South as teams now turn their focus to the national stage. Following a thrilling conference playoff weekend, CHS will be well represented across multiple national tournaments, with programs competing for titles in the Amateur Athletic Union College Hockey Nationals and the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championships.
From the Women’s Division sending a record three teams to nationals, to strong representation in both Men’s Division 2 and Men’s Division 3, CHS programs will look to carry their conference success onto the national stage and compete against some of the top collegiate club teams in the country.
Women’s Division
After sending one team in 2024 and two in 2025, College Hockey South will have three representatives at the AAU College Hockey Nationals. For the third straight season, the University of Tampa will be in contention for an AAU National Championship. Joining the Lady Spartans will be the University of South Carolina and the University of Georgia.
The Nationals field consists of eight teams and will be played in a double-elimination format. From the official AAU Nationals handbook: “The double elimination format involves a tournament structure where teams must lose two games to be eliminated… When there are four teams left, the tournament will go to a semi-final and final playoff games, with the highest-ranked team with no losses will play the lowest-ranked team with one loss. The remaining two teams will face off, with the higher-ranked team being the home team.”
The first round game schedule is as follows:
Saturday, March 7th
5:00 PM EST - University of Georgia vs Syracuse University
5:30 PM EST - University of Tampa vs Springfield College
7:00 PM EST - University of South Carolina vs Quinnipiac University
Tampa will begin its quest for revenge against Springfield College, whom they defeated 2-1 in pool play at last year’s Nationals. Georgia will open its schedule against the undefeated defending National Champion Syracuse Orange. The Orange finished perfect a year ago after edging Tampa in the National Championship game.
Men’s Division 2
After going 2-0 in the ACHA Southeast Regional at the end of February, both the University of Tampa and Florida Atlantic University have qualified for M2 Nationals.
The M2 field is organized into four pools of four teams, with a round-robin format determining who advances from each pool into the semifinals.
The round-robin schedule is as follows:
Thursday, March 12
11:45 AM EST - University of Tampa vs Army (West Point)
5:45 PM EST - Florida Atlantic University vs St. Bonaventure University
Friday, March 13
12:00 PM EST - University of Tampa vs Michigan State University
6:15 PM EST - Florida Atlantic University vs University of Saint Thomas
Saturday, March 14
2:00 PM EST - Florida Atlantic University vs Utah State University
4:30 PM EST - University of Tampa vs Oklahoma State University
Each team will be vying for a second consecutive National Championship, this time in ACHA (2025 Tampa - AAU D1; 2025 FAU - AAU D2).
Men’s Division 3
Following the conclusion of the playoffs, the CHS world waited with bated breath to see which teams would be selected to join the M3 field at ACHA Nationals. In an apropos result, the final four teams standing in the CHS playoffs all qualified for the Nationals.
The Pictsweet Cup champion South Florida Bulls, Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, Florida Gulf Coast Eagles and Tampa Spartans will represent College Hockey South at M3 Nationals after tremendous regular and postseason performances.
Much like M2 Nationals, the M3 field is organized into four pools of four teams, with a round-robin format determining who advances from each pool into the semifinals.
The round-robin schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, March 18
6:00 PM EST - (2) Middle Tennessee State University vs (15) Saint Vincent College
6:15 PM EST - (4) University of South Florida vs (13) University of Tampa
9:00 PM EST - (14) Florida Gulf Coast University vs (3) Oakland University
Thursday, March 19
11:30 AM EST - (13) University of Tampa vs (5) Air Force Academy
3:15 PM EST - (14) Florida Gulf Coast University vs (6) Central Maine Community
9:15 PM EST - (4) University of South Florida vs (12) Wentworth Tech
9:15 PM EST - (2) Middle Tennessee State University vs (10) Northwood University
Friday, March 20
12:00 PM EST - (14) Florida Gulf Coast University vs (11) Sacred Heart University
3:15 PM EST - (13) University of Tampa vs (12) Wentworth Tech
6:15 PM EST - (4) University of South Florida vs (5) Air Force Academy
9:00 PM EST - (2) Middle Tennessee State University vs (7) Grand Valley State
With programs competing across three national tournaments, the depth and growth of College Hockey South continues to be on full display. Whether it’s the Lady Spartans chasing redemption, Tampa and Florida Atlantic pursuing another national title, or four Division 3 teams looking to make a deep postseason run, CHS will have no shortage of storylines to follow in the weeks ahead.
As the puck drops on nationals, the conference will once again have the opportunity to prove that the South is not just growing the game—it’s competing for championships.
Looking Ahead: CHS Prospect Showcase
College Hockey South is also gearing up for its second annual Prospect Showcase, returning this summer after a highly successful inaugural event. The showcase provides prospective student-athletes with competitive exposure, direct interaction with CHS coaches, and an inside look at the collegiate club hockey experience.
More details, registration information, and event updates can be found below:
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 29-school, 45 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.