Thirty years ago, the CCAA National Hockey Championship returned as a level two championship with two conferences vying for bragging rights. The campaing concluded as a curtain call for the CCAA's most successful hockey program.

In Alberta, no clear favorite emerged during the 1995-96 preseason as three different teams won tournaments.  The Red Deer College Kings were victorious at the NAIT Blue/Gold Classic.  The host Trojans came out on top at the SAIT Eye Opener which featured the Austrian University Selects.  The defending ACAC champion Mount Royal College Cougars triumphed at the RDC Elks Classic.

The first half of the season was dominated by the Mount Royal College Cougars who started the season with nine victories.  The NAIT Ooks moved into second place by virtue of a six game winning streak.

During the holiday season, the Ooks posted a record of three wins, one loss, and one tie on an exhibition tour of Switzerland.  The host Augustana University College Vikings picked up a bronze medal at Viking Cup ‘96.

The second half of the season saw no major changes in the standings.  By finishing first and second respectively, NAIT and Mount Royal received first round playoff byes.

Both ACAC quarter final series went the minimum two games.  Sheldon Clayton notched four goals as the Trojans swept the Vikings.  Darcy Austin allowed one goal in two games as the Kings silenced the Concordia University College Thunder.

Both ACAC semi final series went five games. Ken Richardson notched seven goals for MRC who won two of their three games in double overtime against the Kings.  After splitting the first two games at NAIT and the next two at SAIT, Trevor McCallion assisted on four goals as the Ooks advanced with a 6-1 win.

In the ACAC championship series, Mount Royal won the first two games at home.  NAIT with their backs against the wall won the next three games.  Peter Kasowski notched goals in four of the games and led all playoff scorers with 16 points.

In Ontario, the Cambrian College Golden Shield, who placed first in the regular season with 11 wins, two losses and one time, advanced to nationals by downing Sir Sandford Fleming (Lindsay) 8-4, Sir Sandford Fleming College (Peterbourgh) 7-3 and Seneca College 9-5 in th OCAA Champ;ionship held at Kichener.

Kitchener would also host the best of three CCAA Championship, The NAIT Ooks defeated the Cambrian College Golden Shield 7-4 and 6-2 to take the series two games to none and raise the CCAA Championship Bowl for the sixth and final time.

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