MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – The United Collegiate Hockey Cup will return to Centene Community Ice Center in 2027, with the tournament officially being renewed for its second installment next March.

The 2027 UCHC will again bring together college hockey's five independent programs – Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Fairbanks, Lindenwood, LIU, and Stonehill – in Maryland Heights, Missouri for an exciting playoff-style event.

Alaska Fairbanks took home the inaugural cup last season, defeating Lindenwood 4-3 in a thrilling overtime Championship contest. Of the tournament's six games, five were decided by just one goal with three contests needing overtime to determine a winner, including a shootout between Alaska Fairbanks and Stonehill in the semifinals.

The 2026 UCHC represented a major step forward for the independent college hockey programs, providing them with a postseason experience and an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.

What the Coaches are Saying:

"We are very excited to be a part of the second United Collegiate Hockey Cup. It will be fun to build on last season's successful event and be able to compete for a championship against some very talented players and programs." – Eric Rud, Alaska Anchorage

"Last year's inaugural event was a tremendous experience and demonstrated what can be accomplished when our programs work together to grow college hockey and create something special for our student-athletes and fans. We are excited to build on that successful launch and make the second year even more memorable." – Erik Largen, Alaska Fairbanks

"We are excited to host the United Collegiate Hockey Cup again this year at Centene Community Ice Center. Last season's tournament was a great experience for the athletes, and the hockey was exciting and competitive. We look forward to building on that for this year's tournament." – Keith Fisher, Lindenwood

"We are incredibly excited to be a part of the second annual UCHC. Last year was such an amazing event for our student athletes and all of the teams involved. It is exciting for us to have something to look forward to throughout the season and to have a real championship experience for the teams. I can't wait to see where this event goes in the future and how our schools come together to build on something special." – Brendan Riley, LIU
 
"The United Collegiate Hockey Cup had a tremendous positive impact on all five Independent Programs. It was a unique opportunity to showcase the skill level of our players, the quality of our coaching staffs, and the high level of competition across our programs. Most importantly, it gave all of us the chance to play for a championship, which until last year's tournament had never existed.  The fact that four of the five games of the UCHC went to overtime was a great reflection of just how competitive and evenly matched we are. We knew the tournament would be a great experience, but it exceeded our expectations. We're proud of what the United Collegiate Hockey Cup accomplished in its inaugural year and look forward to building on that success in year two." – David Berard, Stonehill

Tickets for the 2027 United Collegiate Hockey Cup are on sale now and can be purchased at LindenwoodLions.com/tickets.