1996-97 CCHA season

This is the 1996-97 Central Collegiate Hockey Association season.  This was the league's twenty-sixth season.
==Membership changes==
*The Univerisity of Illinois-Chicago ended its men's varsity ice hockey program.
==Standings==
 Team GP W L T P GF GA
 Michigan Wolverines 27 21 3 3 46 151 64
 Miami Redskins 27 19 7 1 39 112 79
 Michigan State Spartans 27 16 7 4 36 99 76
 Lake Superior Lakers 27 15 8 4 34 106 98
 Bowling Green Falcons 27 10 12 5 25 100 104
 Western Michigan Broncos 27 10 12 5 25 94 99 
 Ohio State Buckeyes 27 9 16 2 20 95 132
 Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks 27 8 18 1 17 92 126
 Ferris State Bulldogs 27 7 18 2 16 83 121
 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 27 6 20 1 13 73 106
==Conference Tournament==
===First Round (best of three)===
*Michigan defeated Alaska-Fairbanks two games to none (8-1, 11-0)
*Miami defeated Ohio State two games to none (4-1, 4-2)
*Michigan State defeated Western Michigan two games to none (4-1, 3-1)
*Bowling Green defeated Lake Superior two games to none (5-3, 8-4)
===Semifinals===
*Michigan defeated Bowling Green 7 to 2
*Michigan State defeated Miami 4 to 3
===Final===
*Michigan defeated Michigan State 3 to 1
==NCAA Tournament==
Michigan
*defeated Minnesota 7 to 4 in the West Regional semifinals
*lost to Boston University 3 to 2 in the West Regional finals
Michigan State
*lost to Minnesota 6 to 3 in the West Regional quarterfinals
Miami
*lost to Cornell 4 to 2 in the West regional quarterfinals
Category:1997 in hockey
Category:NCAA seasons
Category:Central Collegiate Hockey Association