2024 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament: Previewing all 16 teams
In what has been another exciting college hockey season, it is time to see which team has what it takes to move on to the Frozen Four of the NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.
Similar to the basketball tournament, everyone likes to point at the favorites to win it all, but there is always a chance that an upset can arise, especially in the opening round.
Here is how the teams are heading into this weekend’s regionals.
Providence Region
Boston College Eagles
NHL affiliates: Jacob Fowler, G (Montreal Canadiens), Drew Fortescue, D (NY Rangers), Aidan Hreschuk, D (Columbus Blue Jackets), Charlie Leddy, D (New Jersey Devils), Aram Minnetian, D (Dallas Stars), Eamon Powell, D (Tampa Bay Lightning), Colby Ambrosio, C (Colorado Avalanche), Andre Gasseau, C (Boston Bruins), Cutter Gauthier, LW (Anaheim Ducks) Oskar Jellvik, LW (Boston Bruins), Ryan Leonard, LW (Washington Capitals), Jack Malone, RW (Vancouver Canucks), Gabe Perreault, RW (NY Rangers), Will Smith, C (San Jose Sharks)
The Eagles have been one of the best teams in the country for almost the entire season, having not relinquished the top seed since late January. They capped things off by beating rival Boston University to win their first Hockey East Championship since 2012 last weekend, giving them serious momentum heading into the weekend.
Boston College is stacked with talent. From Anaheim Ducks prospect Cutter Gauthier and San Jose Sharks draft Will Smith—both Hobey Baker Award finalists—to future NHLers Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perrault, the Eagles are in many people’s brackets to advance to the Frozen Four.
BC last advanced to the Frozen Four – they want to make it count this year.
Wisconsin Badgers
NHL affiliates: Brady Cleveland, D (Detroit Red Wings), Daniel Laatsch, D (Pittsburgh Penguins), Zach Shulz, D (NY Islanders), Carson Bantle, LW (Arizona Coyotes), Tyson Dyck, C (Ottawa Senators), Quinn Finley, LW (NY Islanders), Owen Lindmark, C (Florida Panthers), Cruz Lucius, RW (Pittsburgh Penguins), Owen Mehlenbacher, C (Detroit Red Wings), Sam Strange, RW (Detroit Red Wings), Charlie Stramel, C (Minnesota Wild), William Whitelaw, C (Columbus Blue Jackets)
The Badgers are one of two teams from the Big Ten with a “worst-to-first” storyline heading into the tournament. Outside of the whacky 2020-21 season that saw Cole Caufield drag Wisconsin into the national tournament, the program has been largely irrelevant for the past decade, with this just being their second appearance since 2014.
Former Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings took the team from last place in the B1G last season to second but were stunned by Ohio State in the opening round of the conference tournament.
The Badgers’ success will depend on their goaltender. Hobey Baker finalist Kyle McClellan led the nation with a .931 save percentage and is one of three finalists for the Mike Richter Award.
It has been 14 years since Wisconsin last made it to the Frozen Four – can they finally change that?
Quinnipiac Bobcats
NHL affiliates: Charles-Alexis Legault, D (Carolina Hurricanes), Cooper Moore, D (Detroit Red Wings), Sam Lipkin, LW (Arizona Coyotes)
The defending champions come into this year’s national tournament a little weathered after St. Lawrence upended the Bobcats in the ECAC conference semifinals. Nonetheless, Quinnipiac ended up with the best record in the ECAC for the fourth straight season, and with 14 returners from last year’s team, they have a chance to make another push for the Frozen Four.
Collin Graf leads the team into the tournament after being named ECAC Player of the Year, leading the conference in goals (22) and points (48). The Hobey Baker finalist is currently tied for 10th in the NCAA in scoring. With very little NHL-drafted power on this team, look for Graf – someone receiving significant attention from pro teams – to play a huge role.
Michigan Tech Huskies
NHL affiliates: Kyle Kukkonen, C (Anaheim Ducks)
Michigan Tech is quietly coming into the national tournament for the third consecutive season. Straight out of the fin of the Upper Peninsula, the Huskies are a team loaded with veterans who are playing some of their best hockey at the right time.
After a rough start to the season, during which MTU didn’t score a win in its first seven games, the Huskies won the Great Lakes Invitational in late December and picked up momentum from there. They beat Bemidji State to claim the program’s first CCHA title.
Isaac Gordon and Ryland Mosley have carried the production, with Gordon finishing tied for the most points among CCHA skaters. The Huskies also feature the Pietilas. Brothers Blake, Logan, Chase, and cousin Jed, have been key players for the Huskies.
The Huskies haven’t been to the Frozen Four in 43 years, but they’re going to do whatever it takes to move forward.
Schedule
(4) Michigan Tech vs. (1) Boston College – Friday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
(3) Quinnipiac vs. (2) Wisconsin – Friday, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPNews, ESPN+, TSN+)
Regional Final – Sunday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
Springfield Region
Denver Pioneers
NHL affiliates: Sean Behrens, D (Colorado Avalanche), Garrett Brown, D (Winnipeg Jets), Shai Buium, D (Detroit Red Wings), Tristan Broz, C (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jack Devine, RW (Florida Panthers), Sam Harris, LW (Montreal Canadiens), Rieger Lorenz, LW (Minnesota Wild), Miko Matikka, RW (Arizona Coyotes), Massimo Rizzo, C (Philadelphia Flyers), Aidan Thompson, C (Chicago Blackhawks), McKade Webster, LW (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jared Wright, RW (Los Angeles Kings)
Though it has only been two years since DU won it all, the program has seen a lot of turnover, but that has not stopped David Carle from putting together another championship contender. The Pioneers were once again one of the top teams in the NCHC, winning the conference championship for the first time since 2018.
It will be tough having to go into Springfield and play host UMass in the first round. Still, this Denver team has talent up and down the lineup, including Hobey Baker finalist Jack Devine and standout defense led by Colorado Avalanche draft pick Sean Behrens. The Pioneers are hoping to get Philadelphia Flyers prospect Massimo Rizzo back in the lineup after missing the past few weeks with an injury.
Maine Black Bears
NHL affiliates: Bradly Nadeau, LW (Carolina Hurricanes)
It has been 12 years since the Black Bears last made it to the NCAA Tournament. Even when Boston Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman was busy winning the Mike Richter, he couldn’t get Maine beyond the Hockey East Tournament.
However, thanks to timely goal-scoring and solid play in the net by Victor Ostman and Albin Boija, Maine made it to the Hockey East Semifinals, losing to Boston University but earning an at-large bid in the process.
They are led by the Nadeau brothers, Bradley and Josh. The duo finished 1-2 in team scoring and were selected to the Hockey East second- and third-team all-star teams, respectively. Bradly is the lone player with NHL connections – you’ll know he’ll be busy.
Cornell Big Red
NHL affiliates: George Fegaras, D (Dallas Stars), Hank Kempf, D (New York Rangers), Hoyt Stanley, D (Ottawa Senators), Jonathan Castagna, C (Arizona Coyotes), Luke Devlin, C (Pittsburgh Penguins), Ryan Walsh, C (Boston Bruins)
Last season, the Big Red came within a goal of advancing to the Frozen Four for the first time in 20 years. This year, the team feels it has what it takes to sneak its way to St. Paul.
Though they were not the favorites heading into the ECAC Tournament, Cornell took down upstart St. Lawrence in the championship game to win the program’s 13th Whitelaw Cup since 2010.
The Big Red are by no means a flashy team. They are solid in their own zone, led by junior defenseman Hank Kempf and ECAC Goaltender of the Year, Ian Shane. If Cornell wants to take home a regional title, they are going to have to do so by suffocating the other team’s top weapons.
Massachusetts Minutemen
NHL affiliates: Cole Brady, G (Dallas Stars), Michael Hrabal, G (Arizona Coyotes), Scott Morrow, D (Carolina Hurricanes), Ryan Ufko, D (Nashville Predators), Kenny Connors, C (Los Angeles Kings), Liam Gorman, C (Chicago Blackhawks), Dans Locmelis, C (Boston Bruins), Taylor Makar, LW (Colorado Avalanche), Lucas Mercuri, C (Carolina Hurricanes), Cole O’Hara, RW (Nashville Predators), Cameron O’Neill, RW (Ottawa Senators), Aydar Suniev, LW (Calgary Flames), Nicholas Van Tassell, C (Ottawa Senators)
Since the Minutemen won the national championship in 2021, their closest to the Frozen Four was a regional semifinal exit in 2022. Yet, thanks to a good run in the Hockey East Tournament, UMass managed to slide their way back into the national tournament after missing out entirely last year. They reached this point by advancing to the conference semifinals, ultimately getting waxed 8-1 by Boston College.
Like Cornell, the Minutemen aren’t going to score their way out of problems but have a couple of good blueliners in Scott Morrow and Ryan Ufko, who can generate offense.
Schedule
(4) UMass vs. (1) Denver – Thursday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN+)
(3) Cornell vs. (2) Maine – Thursday, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPNews, ESPN+, TSN+)
Regional Final – Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
Sioux Falls Region
Boston Terriers
NHL affiliates: Aiden Celebrini, D (Vancouver Canucks), Ty Gallagher, D (Boston Bruins), Lane Hutson, D (Montreal Canadiens), Gavin McCarthy, D (Buffalo Sabres), Cade Webber, D (Toronto Maple Leafs), Tom Willander, D (Vancouver Canucks), Ryan Greene, C (Chicago Blackhawks), Jack Harvey, LW (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jack Hughes, C (Los Angeles Kings), Devin Kaplan, RW (Philadelphia Flyers), Shane Lachance, LW (Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Peterson, C (St. Louis Blues), Luke Tuch, LW (Montreal Canadiens)
The Terriers hope to return to the Frozen Four for the second straight season. It’s crazy to think that the defending Hockey East champions would only get better from the year before, but they have. With a team with the likes of Lane and Quinn Hutson, Ryan Greene, and Jeremy Wilmer, BU also saw the rise of Macklin Celebrini – the undisputed top prospect in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Currently tied for second in the country in scoring 59 points, the rookie hopes he can help his team recover from losing in the conference championship game to Boston College and make a run to the national title game.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
NHL affiliates: Ryan Chesley, D (Washington Capitals), Mike Koster, D (Toronto Maple Leafs), Luke Mittelstadt, D (Montreal Canadiens), Sam Rinzel, D (Chicago Blackhawks), Cal Thomas, D (Arizona Coyotes), Bryce Brodzinski, RW (Philadelphia Flyers), Jimmy Clark, LW (Minnesota Wild), Aaron Huglen, RW (Buffalo Sabres), Connor Kurth, RW (Tampa Bay Lightning), Brody Lamb, RW (New York Rangers), Oliver Moore, C (Chicago Blackhawks), Rhett Pitlick, LW (Montreal Canadiens), Jimmy Snuggerud, RW (St. Louis Blues)
The team that fell short in last year’s championship game is back for more. While Minnesota lost several talented stars, including current Arizona Coyote Logan Cooley, it has found the right formula to make it back into the national tournament, even though the Gophers fell in the Big Ten Semifinals.
St. Louis Blues draft pick Jimmy Snuggerud and Montreal Canadiens prospect Rhett Pitlick lead an attack that can fill the back of the net when it’s hot. Paired up with a solid goaltender in Justin Close, Minnesota has more than enough to make another run to the Frozen Four.
Omaha Mavericks
NHL affiliates: Noah Ellis, D (Vegas Golden Knights), Victor Mancini, D (NY Rangers), Tannder Ludtke, C (Arizona Coyotes), Ty Mueller, LW (Vancouver Canucks)
While the Mavericks have not necessarily been a bad team over their history, it has been a while since they have been good enough to play well into March like this. Omaha had not been to the NCAA Tournament in three years, but Mike Gabinet’s team crept back up the NCHC standings thanks to all-conference honorable mention goaltender Simon Latkoczy. The Mavs stunned North Dakota in the conference semifinals before losing to Denver in the championship game.
If Omaha were to get back to the Frozen Four for just the second time in program history, it would require Latkoczy to stand on his head and all hands on deck to create offense, especially against a team like Minnesota.
Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers
NHL affiliates: N/A
The Tigers are coming off their first Atlantic Hockey championship in eight years, and fourth in program history. There is no question they enter the national tournament as massive underdogs.
That said, they have an experienced group and a couple of talented freshmen, Matthew Wilde and Tyler Fukakusa, who bring a lot of offensive prowess to AHA Coach of the Year Wayne Wilson’s team.
This program cannot be taken lightly as RIT caught everyone off guard in 2010, making it to the Frozen Four. However, American International was the last team from the AHA to win a national tournament game when it stunned St. Cloud State in 2019.
Schedule
(4) RIT vs. (1) Boston – Thursday, 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
(3) Omaha vs. (2) Minnesota – Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
Regional Final – Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
Maryland Heights Region
Michigan State Spartans
NHL affiliates: Trey Augustine, G (Detroit Red Wings), David Gucciardi, D (Washington Capitals), Viktor Hurtig, D (New Jersey Devils), Maxim Strbak, D (Buffalo Sabres), Isaac Howard, LW (Tampa Bay Lightning), Red Savage, C (Dallas Stars)
The Spartans earned an automatic spot in the tournament by dramatically beating rival Michigan in the Big Ten Championship. They have been one of the best teams this season, hanging around the top five in the national polls.
With how well the team has played, it is easy to forget that the Spartans have been a doormat for the Big Ten for much of the league’s history. However, B1G Coach of the Year, Adam Nightingale, has turned this program around in just two short seasons.
A number of characters have helped Michigan State make it to the national tournament for the first time since 2012 – most notably freshmen Trey Augustine and Artyom Levshunov. Augustine, who helped the U.S win gold at the World Juniors this year, was one of the best netminders in the country. Levshunov, meanwhile, was named Big Ten defensive and freshman of the year.
They’ll need to be rock solid if they’re going to get to the Frozen Four.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
NHL affiliates: Nate Benoit, D (Minnesota Wild), Abram Wiebe, D (Vegas Golden Knights), Cameron Berg, C (NY Islanders), Jackson Blake, RW (Carolina Hurricanes), Dylan James, LW (Detroit Red Wings), Jackson Kunz, C (Vancouver Canucks), Owen McLaughlin, C (Philadelphia Flyers), Jayden Perron, RW (Carolina Hurricanes), Jake Schmaltz, LW (Boston Bruins), Ben Strinden, C (Nashville Predators)
Even though North Dakota was stunned by Omaha in the NCHC Semifinals, there are plenty of reasons to be confident that they can make a run to the Frozen Four for the first time since they won it all in 2016.
From Hobey Baker finalist and NCHC Player of the Year Jackson Blake to talented forwards Owen McLaughlin and Riese Gaber, the Fighting Hawks have a cast of characters that can put the puck in the net. Miami transfer netminder Ludvig Persson has been exceptional this season but has been injured over the past few weeks and is questionable heading into the regionals.
Michigan Wolverines
NHL affiliates: Seamus Casey, D (New Jersey Devils), Ethan Edwards, D (New Jersey Devils), Jacob Truscott, D (Vancouver Canucks), Gavin Brindley, RW (Columbus Blue Jackets), Kienan Draper, RW (Detroit Red Wings), Dylan Duke, C (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jackson Hallum, LW (Vegas Golden Knights), Rutger McGroarty, C (Winnipeg Jets), Nicholas Moldenhauer, RW (Toronto Maple Leafs), Frank Nazar, C (Chicago Blackhawks)
Another year, another talent-laden roster in Ann Arbor. However, that hasn’t necessarily translated to team success for the Wolverines. Michigan ended up fourth in the Big Ten during the regular season but turned things around in the conference tournament, advancing to the Big Ten title game for the third consecutive year before falling to the Spartans.
Big Ten Player of the Year and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Gavin Brindley is ninth in the NCAA in scoring with 51 points, just one behind teammate Rutger McGroarty. This gives the Maize and Blue a heavy 1-2 punch.
Michigan hopes to advance to the Frozen Four for the third straight season – but it won’t be easy this time around.
Western Michigan Broncos
NHL affiliates: Carter Berger, D (Florida Panthers), Samuel Sjolund, D (Dallas Stars), Alex Bump, LW (Philadelphia Flyers), Sam Colangelo, RW (Anaheim Ducks), Matteo Costantini, C (Buffalo Sabres), Wyatt Schingoethe, C (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Even though their overall record might not be the most flashy, the Broncos were good enough to make it into the NCAA Tournament for a record third straight season. The most impressive factor in the feat is that coach Pat Ferschweiler’s team managed to get to the tournament after losing its top line in each of the last two years.
This season’s group is led by former Northeastern star Sam Colangelo, who is well-complimented by Dylan Wendt and captain Luke Grainger. Freshman Alex Bump has shown experience well beyond his age, earning NCHC All-Rookie Team honors.
Western Michigan is the only team in the tournament that has never made it to the Frozen Four.
Schedule
(4) Western Michigan vs. (1) Michigan State Spartans – Friday, 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
(3) Michigan vs. (2) North Dakota – Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
Regional Final – Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)