Opening round games were played at campus sites, while all 'final four' games were played at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
By winning the tournament, Michigan received the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 1997 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The two teams that finish below eighth place in the standings were not eligible for postseason play.
In the semifinals, the remaining highest and lowest seeds and second highest and second lowest seeds play a single-game, with the winners advancing to the finals.
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; PTS = Points; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against [4] Note: * denotes overtime period(s)