1996–97 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season

The 1996–97 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began in October 1996 and concluded with the 1997 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament's championship game on March 29, 1997, at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This was the 50th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 103rd year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team.

Pre-season polls
The top teams in the nation as ranked before the start of the season.

The WMPL Baker's Dozen poll was voted on by coaches. The WMEB was voted on by media. The USA Today/American Hockey Magazine poll was voted on by coaches and media.

Adam Wodon, host of national college hockey talk show Around The Rinks, took over The Record poll. The poll was voted on by coaches, media, and NHL scouts. It was published by U.S. College Hockey Online.

Final regular season polls
The WMPL, WMEB, and Around The Rinks/USCHO polls were released before the conference tournaments. The USA Today poll was released before the conference tournament finals.

1997 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; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Hockey East
* No Distinction was made between First- and Second-Team All-Stars

1997 NHL Entry Draft
† incoming freshman ‡ Andersson had previous been selected by the Los Angeles Kings in 1990.