[3] The men's ice hockey program has existed since 1929 and played as an independent NCAA Division I team until joining the ECAC in 1961.

Northeastern is a founding member of the Hockey East athletic conference, which the team joined in 1984.

The Huskies had their most success in the 1980s, when the team won the prestigious Beanpot tournament four times (1980, 1984, 1985, 1988) and was the runner-up twice (1983 and 1987).

Northeastern players who have gone on to significant professional hockey careers have included David Poile '71, long time general manager of the NHL Washington Capitals and current general manager of the NHL Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues goaltender and two-time All-American Bruce Racine '88, NHL defenseman Dan McGillis, Montreal Canadiens winger Chris Nilan, and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman and Hobey Baker Award finalist Jim Fahey '02.

Other than those who have achieved success in the professional ranks, some of the more notable individual players in team history include Adam Gaudette, the 2018 Hobey Baker Award winner as the most valuable player in NCAA collegiate hockey (the only such winner in the program's history); Art Chisholm and Ray Picard, each two-time All-Americans; and Sandy Beadle and Jason Guerriero, each a one-time All-American who was also a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

The most notable goaltenders in team history are Racine, Keni Gibson and Cayden Primeau, who between them hold most school career records.

Devon Levi broke Brad Thiessen's single-season record of shutouts in 2022 with 10, his first full year starting in goal.