The 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began on October 1, 2011 and concluded with the 2012 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament's championship game on April 7, 2012 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.

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

The U.S. College Hockey Online poll was voted on by coaches, media, and NHL scouts.

The USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll was voted on by coaches and media.

Note: * denotes overtime period(s) [2] GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes [3] GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average