1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season

The 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began in October 1980 and concluded with the 1981 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on March 28, 1981 at the Duluth Arena in Duluth, Minnesota. This was the 34th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 87th year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team.

For the first time the Hobey Baker Award was conferred after the conclusion of the regular season.

After the season four teams from the WCHA left to join the CCHA. As a result of dividing the four Big Ten schools that had previously been in the WCHA the Big Ten stopped declaring a conference ice hockey champion until the formation of a separate conference in 2013–14.

Pre-season poll
The top teams in the nation voted on by coaches before the start of the season. The poll was compiled by radio station WMPL.

Final regular season polls
The final top 10 teams as ranked by coaches (WMPL) before the conference tournament finals.

1981 NCAA Tournament
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)

Scoring leaders
The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the season.

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Leading goaltenders
The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average at the end of the regular season while playing at least 33% of their team's total minutes.

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

1981 NHL Entry Draft
† incoming freshman ‡ Eakin had left school during the season