The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top ice hockey team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III.<br /> The semi-finals and finals are branded as the Frozen Four, as a parallel to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known as the Final Four in later rounds - which was also previously used by the hockey championship.<br />This tournament is a single elimination competition that has determined the collegiate national champion since the inaugural 1948 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament.<br />The tournament was first referred to by this moniker in 1999.<br />The term is derived from the term final four.<br />The tournament structure begins with four regional sites culminating to a single site, where the national semifinals and final game are played.<br />The NCAA started a Women's Frozen Four beginning in the 2000-01 season.<br />The Hobey Baker Award ceremony, Hockey Humanitarian Award ceremony, and USCHO.com Town Hall Meeting take place annually during Frozen Four weekend. (*)