The 2005 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament involved 16 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey.

This tournament marked the first time in NCAA history, in any Division, in any sport, male or female, that the 4 semi-finalists all hailed from the same conference.

The Championship Committee seeds the entire field from 1 to 16 within four regionals of 4 teams.

Regional placements are based primarily on the home location of the top seed in each bracket with an attempt made to put the top-ranked teams close to their home site.

The at-large bids and seeding for each team in the tournament was announced on March 20, 2005.