The 1981–82 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began in October 1981 and concluded with the 1982 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on March 27, 1982 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

The top teams in the nation voted on by coaches before the start of the season.

Note: * denotes overtime period(s) [4] 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 [5] 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 [5]