The following is a chronicle of events during the year 1972 in ice hockey.

• Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer during the regular season: Phil Esposito ]^[1]
• Hart Memorial Trophy: for the NHL's Most Valuable Player: Bobby Orr^[2]
• Stanley Cup - The Boston Bruins defeated the New York Rangers in the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals
• With the first overall pick in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft, the expansion New York Islanders selected Billy Harris.

• With the first overall pick in the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft, the Atlanta Flames selected goaltender Phil Myre.

• Ontario Hockey League: J. Ross Robertson Cup.
• Quebec Major Junior Hockey League: won President's Cup (QMJHL) for the first time in team history
• Western Hockey League: President's Cup (WHL) for the first time in team history
• Memorial Cup:

• AHL: Calder Cup
• IHL: Turner Cup.

NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament

• 1972 in sports