The 1981 NCAA Men's Division II Ice Hockey Tournament involved 4 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college ice hockey. A total of 4 games were played, hosted by Merrimack College. UMass Lowell, coached by Bill Riley, won the national title with a 5-4 victory in the final game over Plattsburgh. Tom Mulligan, of UMass Lowell, was named the Most Outstanding Player and was the high scorer of the tournament with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists).