In 1965, the first collegiate women's ice hockey team in the United States was created at Brown University.
[1] In 1976, Brown University would host the first ever Ivy League women's ice hockey tournament.
During the 1999–2000 season, WCHA joined the ECAC in an attempt to make women's ice hockey an NCAA sanctioned sport.
The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs won the inaugural tournament defeating the St. Lawrence Skating Saints 4–2 in the championship game.
In all, 44 schools in the United States, ranging from the Midwest to the East Coast, sponsor varsity women's hockey at the National Collegiate (Divisions I and II) level.
[3][4] As there is no Division II championship for women's ice hockey, this rule applies to the tournament.
The Patty Kazmaier Award ceremony takes place annually during Women's Frozen Four weekend.
Atlantic Hockey America will play its first season in 2024–25; its women's predecessor, CHA, had one title game appearance, by Mercyhurst in 2009.
[12] In 2021, ESPN announced that it had acquired the rights under a multi-year deal, with ESPNU to air one semi-final and the national championship annually.