The 1972–73 NCAA University Division men's ice hockey season began in November 1972 and concluded with the 1973 NCAA University Division Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on March 17, 1973 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

[1] After the season Army was classified as a Division II squad as part of the NCAA's numerical classification system.

[2] Lake Superior State began to sponsor their ice hockey program and the team was promptly admitted into the CCHA.

Bob Olson, owner of radio station WMPL, started compiling a national poll in 1972.

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes [7] 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.