NCHC Announces 10-Team Playoff Format Starting in 2027

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) has finalized the 10-team playoff model the conference will use starting in 2027 when the University of St. Thomas begins NCHC play. The Conference announced back in May that the Tommies will join the NCHC as its 10th team beginning with the 2026-27 season.

All 10 teams will make the NCHC Tournament when St. Thomas becomes an official member for the 2026-27 campaign. The NCHC Playoffs will take place over three weekends entirely on campus sites, which will first begin with the 2026 NCHC Tournament.

Starting in 2027 and beyond, the top five seeds will host the bottom five seeds (No. 1 vs. No. 10, No. 2 vs. No. 9, etc.)…