Last time we spoke, I talked about the big news in the D-III hockey world, shifting away from “home sites” and non-predetermined championships, and towards predetermined sites.  In simpler terms, the committee will choose the championship host, ahead of the season, allowing for a long runway to prepare and provide the “best student athlete experience” possible.

There are going to be mixed feelings on this, because a home team doesn’t qualify, or even a nearby team, for that matter, the atmosphere could be pretty dead.  I’ve been to four Frozen Fours, all at home sites, and they’ve all featured electric crowds, especially when the home team is involved.

A New Era

With 2029 being the start of the new era, we will delve into which arenas are best suited to host the Frozen Four for both men’s and women’s hockey at the D-III level.  Now, in this specific listing, I’m not going to mention any arenas/locations that are not the regular home venue of a Division III team.  For example, Lake Placid, NY, almost certainly will get more chances at hosting championship weekend, as they’ve done so multiple times already.  I listed those cities below.

Neutral CityTimes HostedYears Hosted

All Predetermined Championships
Lake Placid, NY82008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2022
Minneapolis, MN22011, 2015
Lewiston, ME12014
Elmira, NY12006
Maplewood, MN11993
Madison, WI12028
Buffalo, NY1*2020* (COVID-19 cancellation)

I’ll only be focusing on Division III home arenas that are best suited to host both men’s and women’s Frozen Fours.  There are a multitude of factors that the NCAA considers when selecting sites.  Some are very, very specific and if you want to read the entire manual of championship selection for Division III Hockey, I’ve linked it here (it’s listed as the women’s manual, but the men’s is nearly the same).

But for the purpose of brevity, we’ll narrow it down to the core tenants of what the NCAA is looking at when making this decision:

  • Facility Availability for games and practices throughout week
  • 1,000+ Seats (can be negotiated with potential standing room/temp seating)
  • Four equipped team locker rooms
  • Modern facilities for athletic training, officials, media, video setup, stats, etc.
  • Nearby lodging for teams, officials, and NCAA committee members

I will list the top venues in the sport that I feel are best equipped to handle these massive events and everything that goes along with it.

Previous Hosts

School Held AtMen's Times HostedMen's Years HostedWomen's Times HostedWomen's Years HostedTotal Times Hosted

All Championships non-predetermined unless marked with a *

Italicized schools no longer in Division III
Plattsburgh31987, 1992, 199872006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2027*10
Middlebury41995, 1997, 2002, 200532004, 2009, 20227
Elmira21988, 199132002, 2003, 20055
RIT31984, 1989, 200122011, 20125
Norwich31999, 2003, 2004120184
UW-Superior31994, 2000, 2007*12013*4
UW-River Falls1199622024, 2025*3
Utica32017*, 2025, 2026*--3
UW-Stevens Point21990, 2019--2
Trinity12024*--1
Endicott12023--1
Amherst--120231
St. Thomas--120191
Adrian--120171
Gustavus--120101
Bemidji State11986--1
Union11985--1

You’ll probably guess that most schools who have hosted before will remain on my list.  But that’s not the case, as specs have changed as to who can host, and a couple of these hosts did not live up to the expectations of this championship.  NOTE: This is not a complete list, and I think there are more than enough arenas that can get the job done, but I wanted to highlight I think deserves a chance to give the teams the best possible experience.

West Region

1. Hunt Arena (University of Wisconsin-River Falls)

  • Arena Capacity: 1,400 (1,789 standing)
  • Built: 1973; remodeled 2017
  • Previous Championships Hosted: 1996 (M); 2024, 2025 (W)

There’s a reason this arena got the nod for the 2025 pilot program on the women’s side, as this is the cream of the crop.  Originally constructed in 1973, a fresh remodel in 2017 instantly made this one of the top D-III rinks in the country.  The video board, lighting, sound, and overall aesthetic of this rink is fantastic, with unique sightlines and a fantastic athletic complex surrounding it.  Located just under an hour from the Twin Cities airport, this will be a staple for hosting both men’s and women’s D-III hockey championships, as it should be.

2. Don Roberts Ice Rink (Gustavus Adolphus College)

  • Arena Capacity: 1,500 (3,000 standing)
  • Built: 1974
  • Previous Championships Hosted: 2010 (W)

Somehow, this rink hasn’t hosted a Frozen Four in almost twenty years.  With the new era of predetermined sites, I’d bet GAC gets the big event very soon, most likely for the women’s championship, given their program’s storied history.  This rink is one of the best, and extremely similar to UWRF’s Hunt Arena, with the only major difference being a little more standard-shaped in terms of a two-sided seating arrangement, and just a tad more dated.  But this arena is one of the best environments in the country, with plenty of standing room that makes the crowd feel like it goes on forever.  “The Don” is also surrounded by a state-of-the-art athletic facility, Lund Center, which was completely remodeled in 2021.  Just over an hour from the Twin Cities, this is in prime location for out-of-towners, with a metropolis of Mankato just a short drive south, featuring plenty of lodging.  Get this one done, NCAA.  It’s long overdue.

3. K.B. Willett Arena (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point)

  • Arena Capacity: 1,800
  • Built: 1980
  • Previous Championships Hosted: 1990, 2019 (M)

In terms of atmosphere, this might be tops in the entire country.  The Willett is such a fun place to watch hockey, with loud cheers, flags and banners, and a pep band to boot.  The Pointers are extremely hard to beat here, and have hosted the most recent western Frozen Four on the men’s side, where UWSP did quite a good job hosting.  This has an argument to be my #1, but the biggest hindrance is the fact that this is a community rink, meaning it can make it difficult to reserve ice for an entire week.  It also is in a relatively difficult place to travel to, about 2.5 hours from MKE, and 3.5 hours from MSP.  That aside, this is a fantastic rink that has a very “college” feel to it, and that’s a good thing for hosting a championship.  If the women’s program, can take a step forward, look for the Willett to get some buzz hosting on that side of the game as well.

4. St. Olaf Ice Arena (St. Olaf College)

  • Arena Capacity: 804 (954 standing room)
  • Built: 2018
  • Previous Championships Hosted: None

The newest “completed” rink on this list is the SOIA.  At long last, the Oles finally got the on-campus rink they’ve waited so long for, hoping to elevate the program to the levels of some of their MIAC counterparts.  I’ve been numerous times to this one, and it lives up to the hype.  The rink is absolutely gorgeous, and although not as large as UWRF or GAC’s campus rinks, the crisp, clean sightlines are a sight to behold, with significant standing room as well.  The arena is connected to a massive athletic facility, beautiful in its own right.  The size is a bit of a hindrance when comparing to other top-notch rinks.  With max capacity under 1,000, this one could be a bit of a tougher sell for the NCAA.  I do think that because this is such an amazing facility, I think the NCAA would give it a go.  With two colleges in town, there should be enough lodging to make it work.  The location is ideal, just 40 miles south of the Twin Cities.

5. Cornerstone Community Center (St. Norbert College)

  • Arena Capacity: 3,000 (PROPOSED)
  • Built: 2000; renovated 2025
  • Previous Championships Hosted: None

This one is a little bit different, as St. Norbert is set to unveil the brand-new rink for the upcoming season.  This sparkling, massive new rink is set to be adjacent to both the Knights’ men and women’s old home rinks, which will remain in use for other teams.  There’s no doubt the mockups look gorgeous, and if everything goes to plan, this rink could vault up this list.  But, I need to see it first.  Not to mention, the downside of this rink is that it’s another community rink, like UWSP’s.  Despite its proximity to campus, there are others who use this rink, making it tougher to host.  Granted, three rinks will make hosting a Frozen Four much more possible.  I am willing to bet the Green Bay area hosts a Frozen Four very, very soon.

6. Slinto S. Wessman Arena (University of Wisconsin-Superior)

  • Arena Capacity: 1,550
  • Built: 1969; renovated 2006
  • Previous Championships Hosted: 1994, 2000, 2007 (M); 2013 (W)

Wessman Arena gets a bit of a bad wrap given the poor attendance at their most recent attempt at hosting a Frozen Four.  However, there’s no doubt much of this (attendance) was out of their control, and the rink itself is amazing with some of the best ice in the country.  UWS has done a great job keeping things up to date and fresh.  The rink does not have the ambience as some of the places above it on this list, and there’s no doubt “the North Coast” is a tough place to get to.  But hockey-wise, the rink has everything asked of it, and I think UW-Superior deserves another chance to host, whether for the men or the women’s championship.

East Region

1. Adirondack Bank Center (Utica University)

  • Arena Capacity: 3,999
  • Built: 1960
  • Previous Championships Hosted: 2017, 2026 (M)
    • Hosted 2025 (M) at the adjacent Nexus Center

This is a bit of a two-parter.  For starters, “the Aud” is a historic complex, with nothing like it at the Division III level.  Is it home to an AHL team as well?  Sure, but the Pioneers’ fanbase packs the rink like not many others’ can, drawing massive crowds seemingly every chance they get.  With the AHL team as neighbors, the Pioneers enjoy many of the high-tech benefits also.  LED boards, amazing A/V features, and top notch staff make this an experience to behold.  Being in Utica, there are more than enough lodging options for everyone.  While an off-campus rink, the big drawback is getting the availability to host with so many other events going on in Utica.

This brings me to the adjacent, and brand-new Nexus Center.  While a smaller facility, holding about 1,200 fans, the Nexus is brand-new, opening in 2022 and giving the Pioneer women a home rink, and a backup rink in case the Aud is booked.  The Nexus Center is fresh off hosting the 2025 championship, and they did a tremendous job.  This also has a very real chance at hosting again in the future, for both the men’s or women’s championships.

2. Kreitzberg Arena (Norwich University)

  • Arena Capacity: 3,000
  • Built: 1998
  • Previous Championships Hosted: 1999, 2003, 2004 (M); 2018 (W)

Despite the older “structure” of this building, Norwich has done a remarkable job keeping this rink as one of the most advanced, gorgeous rinks in the nation.  The versatility of this rink is also one of its strong suits.  Hundreds of seats can be added for big-time games, allowing for some flexibility few rinks have in Division III.  The staff is amazing here, and when walking in this building, you know hockey is a priority at Norwich.  Given the North Country location, it is quite hard to get to, depending on how much you’re willing to spend to get into one of the smaller airports.  While that is a drawback, there’s no doubt Norwich will be bidding on these future predetermined championships.  They’ve done it before, and they’re ready to host again.

3. Deborah F. Stanley Arena & Convocation Center (SUNY Oswego)

  • Arena Capacity: 2,500 (3,000 standing room)
  • Built: 2006
  • Previous Championships Hosted: None

Somehow, Oswego hasn’t been able to get a Frozen Four on their campus, which is a shame.  This rink is maybe the most underrated in the country, and has everything possible to throw an amazing championship weekend.  It’s fairly centrally located (for the east), holds loads of people, has modern amenities, and plenty of surrounding lodging.  This place is a sight to behold, with outstanding sightlines and great camera angles.  Located right off the campus center, this is such an amazing rink that gives you that true “college feel.”  The newness of this building hasn’t worn off in the last 20 years, either.  It looks and sounds fantastic.

4. Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena (SUNY Plattsburgh)

  • Arena Capacity: 1,924
  • Built: 1973; renovated 2008
  • Previous Championships Hosted: 1987, 1992, 1998 (M); 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2027 (W)

Cardinal Country is no stranger to hosting Frozen Fours, as they’re due to host their record 10th championship in 2027.  While most of this is due to their hockey programs’ storied success, there’s no doubt the arena hasn’t hurt the matter either.  The seating in this rink is incredible, with a horseshoe shaped bowl that is extremely intimidating to play in as a visitor.  The 2008 renovation helped upgrade some of the modern touches that locked this venue in as one of the finest in the country.  New seating, an LED scoreboard, and much better player amenities were added.  While the renovation limited some of the seating potential, the new style and visual appeal of this rink couldn’t be passed up.  The location, like Norwich, is not easy to get to.  But, that hasn’t deterred the NCAA from coming to Plattsburgh time and time again, even in a predetermined instance.

5. Chip Kenyon `85 Arena (Middlebury College)

  • Arena Capacity: 2,600
  • Built: 1999
  • Previous Championships Hosted: 1995, 1997, 2002, 2005 (M); 2004, 2009, 2022 (W)

Another repeat host on this list, Kenyon Arena is another instance where even though the building is a quarter century old, you wouldn’t know it when you walk in the doors.  The rink is beautifully lit and laid out, with seating around the entirety of the rink, with larger student section areas behind the nets.  The Arena is located inside the beautiful athletics complex, with amazing architecture as you walk into the rink.  The atmosphere can be a little quiet at times, but when this rink reaches near capacity, it really can get going.  It is another northern school that can be tough to get to, but with so many NCAA tournaments held nearby, hotels are no issue at all near Middlebury.

6. Ira S. Wilson Arena (SUNY Geneseo)

  • Arena Capacity: 2,500
  • Built: 1974
  • Previous Championships Hosted: None

While Geneseo just hosts a men’s program, don’t be shocked if they put in a bid to host one of the future championships.  For what it’s worth, I completely agree it is a worthwhile experiment (Side note: I do believe Geneseo bid to host this past year if Utica didn’t work out).  This rink isn’t quite as flashy as some of the ones previously listed, but it definitely gets the job done.  A recent facelift in 2021 that saw brand new bleachers being installed definitely helps the comfort level of the Ira.  The atmosphere here is always top-notch, and despite an extremely high press box that results in some unorthodox seating layouts on one side of the rink, the overall capacity is huge.  The athletic complex surrounding the rink is great, and the location is much, much better than some of the northern schools, as Geneseo is just 40 miles south of Rochester.

Call to Action

In this last segment, I challenge the NCAA to take a good, hard look at some of these outstanding facilities, and make sure to use a quality rotation as well.  Even if the same rinks do a wonderful job, I believe some of these other amazing staff at different schools should get the chance to host, and make a name for their school’s athletics.  To close out, I’ll forecast how I would assign hosts for the next half decade or so post-2028 (Not confirmed, just my thoughts).

Men’s Confirmed:

  • 2026 (Confirmed): Adirondack Bank Center- Utica University
  • 2027 (Confirmed): Site TBD
  • 2028 (Confirmed): Legacy20 Arena- Madison, Wisconsin

MY Men’s Predictions:

  • 2029: Deborah F. Stanley Arena- SUNY Oswego
  • 2030: Cornerstone Community Center- St. Norbert College
  • 2031: Ira S. Wilson Arena- SUNY Geneseo
  • 2032: K.B. Willett Arena- UW-Stevens Point
  • 2033: Chip Kenyon `85 Arena- Middlebury College

Women’s Confirmed:

  • 2026 (Confirmed): Site TBD
  • 2027 (Confirmed): Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena- SUNY Plattsburgh
  • 2028 (Confirmed): Site TBD

MY Women’s Predictions:

  • 2029: Don Roberts Ice Rink- Gustavus Adolphus College
  • 2030: Nexus Center- Utica University
  • 2031: St. Olaf Ice Arena- St. Olaf College
  • 2032: Kreitzberg Arena- Norwich University
  • 2033: Wessman Arena- UW-Superior

Let me know your thoughts, and which rinks you want to see host a Frozen Four in the future!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨