Hockey East is a collegiate ice hockey conference in the United States, established in 1984. It features teams primarily from the northeastern region, including schools like Boston University, Boston College, and Northeastern University. The conference is known for its competitive play and has produced many players who have gone on to successful careers in the National Hockey League (NHL). The conference consists of both men's and women's divisions, with each team competing for the Hockey East Championship. The men's tournament typically takes place in March, culminating in a championship game that determines the conference champion and often influences NCAA tournament selections.