2025 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament: Previewing all 16 teams
The March Madness continues on the ice as the top teams in college hockey set to battle it out in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament, with 16 teams all vying to punch their ticket to the Frozen Four.
After an exciting women’s tournament, the men get ready to grind it out across the nation, with many future NHLers looking to help their schools earn national bragging rights.
Here is how the teams are heading into this weekend’s regionals.
Allentown Region
Maine Black Bears
NHL affiliates: Taylor Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
One of the best things about college hockey is the fact that anything can happen at any time. This year, the Black Bears, who appeared in the national tournament for the first time in 12 years last season, were one of the best teams in the country, let alone Hockey East.
Ben Barr’s lineup found ways to pick up wins despite having just two players score over 30 points–Harrison Scott and Taylor Makar–relying on one of the best netminders in the country in Albin Boija and timely goals to win the program’s first conference championship since 2004.
Boija is one of the final four finalists for the Mike Richter Award thanks to having a 23-7-6 record–good for fifth in the NCAA in wins–a 1.76 goals-against average (4th), and a .930 save percentage (8th). His numbers are comparable to that of current Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who was named NCAA goaltender of the year in 2020.
The last time Maine won the Hockey East title, they made it all the way to the national title game–will history repeat itself?
Connecticut Huskies
NHL affiliates: Joey Muldowney, F (San Jose Sharks), Tyler Muszelik, G (Florida Panthers), Jake Richard, F (Buffalo Sabres)
The Huskies are entering the national tournament for the first time in program history. Hockey East Coach of the Year Mike Cavanaugh has helped guide a program that has slowly gone from being an afterthought in the league to a team that came within a win of winning the conference championship.
Yet, even though they lost to Maine last weekend, UConn proved itself worthy of advancing to the tournament with wins over Providence and Boston University.
Connecticut has a couple of guys who can put the puck in the net. Hudson Schandor and Sharks prospect Joey Muldowney both were named Hockey East First-Team All-Stars, with Muldowney leading the pack with 45 points. His 27 goals are only second to Boston College’s Ryan Leonard.
If the Huskies really want to make noise in the first tournament berth, they’ll need goaltender Tyler Muszelik to be a brick wall. The Panthers draft pick has been a steady force on the back end and could be the difference between UConn making a run to the Frozen Four.
Quinnipiac Bobcats
NHL affiliate: Nate Benoit, D (Minnesota Wild), Elliott Groenewold, D (Boston Bruins), Charlie Leddy, D (New Jersey Devils), Christopher Pelosi, F (Boston Bruins)
The Bobcats are just two years removed from their exciting national championship. Though they came one goal away from making it to the Frozen Four last season, this year’s team seems hungrier to make it back to the final stage of the tournament.
Quinnipiac finished with the best record in the ECAC, though they were stunned in the conference quarterfinals by the eventual champions, Cornell.
Heading into their big dance for the sixth consecutive season (excluding 2020), the Bobcats use a deep lineup that finds ways to contribute in a variety of ways. They have eight players with 10 over more goals, but only Jack Ricketts has 20 on the year. Jeremy Wilmer has been one of the key playmakers, leading the team with 39 points.
Matej Marinov has taken the reins as the starting goaltender over the past month and has been exceptional. With a 12-3-0 record, Slovakia has a 1.75 GAA, which is third in the NCAA, and a .928 SV%, which is ninth in the country.
Even with a young goaltender between the pipes and no real star scorers, this might be the best region for Quinnipiac to get back to the Frozen Four.
Penn State Nittany Lions
NHL affiliates: Aiden Fink, F (Nashville Predators), Reese Laubach, F (San Jose Sharks), Arsenil Sergeev, G (Calgary Flames)
There is no hotter team heading into the tournament than the Nittany Lions. Heading into the second semester, Penn State was far from a contender. However, the team turned things around, winning 12 of 13 conference games and picking up key wins over Michigan State and Minnesota to push them up the Pairwise.
Though they fell to Ohio State in the Big Ten Semifinals, the Nittany Lions earned a spot in the national tournament for the second time in three years.
Guy Gadowsky’s team has been powered by Aiden Fink. The sophomore forward was the driving force behind an offense that started to pick up across the board in the last couple of months. Fink ended up leading all Big Ten skaters with 52 points, placing him third in the nation in scoring.
They also have a dark horse in net. Arsenil Sergeev’s overall numbers might not be glorious, but he’s been clutch, going unbeaten in nine of his last 11 starts, knocking off Michigan in the conference quarterfinals.
The Nittany Lions have never made it to the Frozen Four, but if they can restore that momentum this weekend, they could change that statement.
Schedule
(3) Quinnipiac vs. (2) Connecticut – Friday, 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
(4) Penn State vs. (1) Maine – Friday, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN+)
Regional Final – Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN+)
Manchester Region
Boston College Eagles
NHL affiliates: Drew Fortescu, D (New York Rangers), Jacob Fowler, G (Montreal Canadiens), Andre Gasseau, F (Boston Bruins), Aidan Hreschuk, D (Columbus Blue Jackets), Oskar Jellvik, F (Boston Bruins), Ryan Leonard, F (Washington Capitals), Dean Letourneau, F (Boston Bruins), Aram Minnetian, D (Dallas Stars), Gabe Perreault, F (New York Rangers), Eamon Powell, D (Tampa Bay Lightning), Will Skahan, D (Utah Hockey Club), Teddy Stiga, F (Nashville Predators)
When almost half of your roster is filled with draft picks, you’re going to be a heavy favorite heading into the tournament. With soon-to-be NHL stars like Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault and Jacob Fowler in the lineup, the Eagles are hoping they can get over the hump and win the national championship this year.
Despite getting stunned by Northeastern in the Hockey East Semifinals, BC still enters the tournament as the No. 1 team in the country, a spot they have been hanging around for most of the season, similar to last year.
Without current Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier, Leonard and Perreault have been strong this season, as the linemates each lead the Eagles with 47 points, each tied for ninth in the country in scoring.
It would be wrong not to mention the play of Flower. The Canadiens prospect is a finalist for the Mike Richter Award once again, and deservedly so. The HEA goaltender of the year is tied for third in the country in wins (24), second in goals-against average (1.64) and third in save percentage (.940).
Star-studded Boston College is looking to advance to the Frozen Four in consecutive seasons for the first time in 17 years. They certainly have the talent and experience to accomplish that feat.
Providence Friars
NHL affiliates: Trevor Connelly, F (Vegas Golden Knights), Taige Harding, D (Chicago Blackhawks), Connor Kelley, D (Chicago Blackhawks), Tomas Machu, D (New York Islanders), Hudson Malinoski, F (Toronto Maple Leafs), John Mustard, F (Chicago Blackhawks), Guillaume Richard, D (Columbus Blue Jackets), Philip Svedeback, G (Boston Bruins), Chase Yoder, F (Pittsburgh Penguins)
The Friars probably would’ve been a higher seed had they at least made it to the final four in the Hockey East Tournament. However, their loss to UConn in the quarterfinals has set Providence up for returning to action after a two-week pause.
Nevertheless, the Friars are hoping they can put together a strong effort, even though they are going to be tasked with facing the defending national champions in the regional semis. Their success in the tough conference has come by gutting out wins with timely goal-scoring and the occasional big save from Philip Svedeback.
However, their overall offense, or lack thereof, might be Providence’s downfall. Of the 16 entrants, the Friars have scored the fewest goals (102), with no player having hit the 30-point mark. Maple Leafs prospect Hudson Malinoski and Logan Will are tied for the team lead with 23 points each.
With this being the program’s first national tournament appearance in six years, Providence will need a full-team effort to avoid an early exit.
Denver Pioneers
NHL affiliates: Garrett Brown, D (Winnipeg Jets), Hagen Burrows, F (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jack Devine, F (Florida Panthers), Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild), Jake Fisher, F (Colorado Avalanche), Sam Harris, F (Montreal Canadiens), Rieger Lorenz, F (Minnesota Wild), Tory Pitner, D (Colorado Avalanche), Eric Pohlkamp, D (San Jose Sharks), Samu Salminen, F (New Jersey Devils), Aidan Thompson, F (Chicago Blackhawks), Jared Wright, F (Los Angeles Kings)
Even though they might’ve suffered one of the most embarrassing losses in college hockey history, the reigning national champions enter the big dance as a team expected to make another deep run.
The Pioneers battled an up-and-down regular season in the extremely tough NCHC but managed to finish third in the regular season, advancing to the championship game before blowing a three-goal lead to Western Michigan, ultimately losing in overtime.
Yet, David Carle’s team has the firepower to make it to the Frozen Four for a third time in four years. They are led by Hobey Baker finalists Jack Devine and Zeev Buium. Devine leads all skaters in assists (43) and points (56). Buium’s 43 points in 38 games is the most among defenders after putting up 50 points last year.
Despite the strange season, DU is trying to become the first team since Minnesota Duluth in 2019 to win consecutive national championships.
Bentley Falcons
For the first time ever, the Bentley Falcons are in a national tournament. The program that’s been around since the late ’70s punched their ticket by winning the Atlantic Hockey Association championship for the first time. After finishing third in the league during the regular season, the Falcons defeated the regular-season champs in Holy Cross to extend their season.
While Bentley doesn’t have any NHL prospects, that doesn’t mean they don’t have players who can’t make plays. Goaltender Connor Hasley was pretty good this year, leading the country with 11 shutouts. His 1.95 GAA is also good for ninth among NCAA netminders.
Ethan Leyh, who was named AHA co-defensive forward of the year, led Bentley with 40 points, placing him third in conference scoring behind Hobey Baker finalists Liam McLinskey (Holy Cross) and Mac Gadowsky (Army).
Bentley comes into the tournament trying to become the first Atlantic Hockey team to win a game in the national tournament since AIC stunned St. Cloud State in 2019. Yet, going up against a BC team that’s been sitting around–stranger things happened in March.
Schedule
(4) Bentley vs. (1) Boston College – Friday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
(3) Denver vs. (2) Providence – Friday, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TSN+)
Regional Final – Sunday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN+)
Fargo Region
Western Michigan Broncos
NHL affiliates: Alex Bump, F (Philadelphia Flyers), Matteo Constantini, F (Buffalo Sabres), Ty Henricks, F (New York Rangers), Zach Nehring, F (Winnipeg Jets), Wyatt Schingoethe, F (Toronto Maple Leafs), Hampton Slukynsky, G (Los Angeles Kings), Joona Vaisanen, D (Pittsburgh Penguins)
The Broncos are entering the national tournament for a program-record fourth consecutive season. However, it’s certain this team is better than the first three head coach Pat Ferschweiler has brought to the big dance.
Western Michigan faced the big guns of the NCHC and took care of business every time. The team clinched the regular season title, the first in the program’s history before Flyers prospect Alex Bump scored in double overtime to defeat Denver to win the Broncos’ first NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship, the team’s first conference championship in 13 years.
Bump is, without a doubt, the most underrated player in college hockey. The Frozen Faceoff MVP scored six goals and eight points during the conference tournament and is third among NCHC skaters in points with 46 in 38 games. Yet, the sophomore wasn’t good enough to be named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Along with a talented rookie netminder in Hampton Slukynsky and solid scoring depth, WMU has the capacity to punch their ticket to St. Louis. However, for a program that has just one win in the NCAA Tournament–ever–it will be interesting to see if they can get it done.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
NHL affiliates: Ryan Chesley, D (Washington Capitals), Jimmy Clark, F (Minnesota Wild), Beckett Hendrickson, F (Boston Bruins), Aaron Huglen, F (Buffalo Sabres), Mike Koster, D (Toronto Maple Leafs), Connor Kurth, F (Tampa Bay Lightning), Brody Lamb, F (New York Rangers), Luke Mittelstadt, D (Montreal Canadiens), Oliver Moore, F (Chicago Blackhawks), Erik Pahlsson, F (Nashville Predators), Sam Rinzel, D (Chicago Blackhawks), Jimmy Snuggerud, F (St. Louis Blues), Cal Thomas, D (Utah Hockey Club), John Whipple, D (Detroit Red Wings), Matthew Wood, F (Nashville Predators), Brodie Ziemer, F (Buffalo Sabres)
Minnesota enters the national tournament with plenty of rest after they were shockingly eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament by last-place Notre Dame … 19 days off, to be exact. However, Bob Motzko’s crew has more than enough talent to turn things up this weekend and move onto the Frozen Four for the first time since losing in the national championship game in 2023.
Offensively, Jimmy Snuggerud has been leading the charge for the Gophers, sitting third among Big Ten skaters in scoring, with his 49 points in 39 games placing him eighth in the NCAA. Blues fans would love to see him get a feel for playing at the Enterprise Center in a couple of weeks.
One thing that’s different about Minnesota compared to the rest of the field is how they’ve split goaltending duties for most of the season, as Liam Souliere and Nathan Airey have been solid between the pipes for the Gophers.
As I said before, Minnesota has more than enough talent to make it back to the Frozen Four, but will rust affect the team in a very competitive region?
Massachusetts Minutemen
NHL affiliates: Kenny Connors, F (Los Angeles Kings), Michael Hrabal, G (Utah Hockey Club), Larry Keenan, D (Detroit Red Wings), Dans Locmelis, F (Boston Bruins), Lucas Mercuri, F (Carolina Hurricanes), Cole O’Hara, F (Nashville Predators), Cameron O’Neill, F (Ottawa Senators), Aydar Suniev, F (Calgary Flames), Nicholas Van Tassell, F (Ottawa Senators)
The lowest-seeded team coming out of Hockey East, having lost to Boston University in the conference quarterfinals, the Minutemen hope they can overcome a bumpy regular season to pull off an upset in the national tournament.
If they get to the Frozen Four, it’s going to be because of two players: Cole O’Hara and Michael Hrabal. Junior forward O’Hara leads all Hockey East skaters with 51 points, currently tied for fourth in the country in scoring. His ability to lead an offense that’s top-heavy, after scoring just 35 points in his first two seasons combined, shows how much he’s grown in his time in Amherst.
Hrabal was quietly one of the top netminders in the HEA. The second-year backstop is 18-11-15 with a 2.33 GAA and .926 SV% with two shutouts and was named a Hockey East Third-Team All-Star.
UMass’ last win in the national tournament came when they won the whole thing in 2021. Can Greg Carvel’s team find a little bit of that magic?
Minnesota State Mavericks
NHL affiliates: Luke Ashton, D (Columbus Blue Jackets)
After a rare slip-up last year, Minnesota State stood atop the CCHA once again thanks to possessing that defensive structure that harkens back to Mike Hastings’ days running the program. The Mavericks enter the tournament going unbeaten in regulation in 11 straight games, winning the team’s third Mason Cup in four seasons.
Under second-year head coach Luke Strand, the Mavericks have ran with the incredible play of goaltender Alex Tracy. The only netminder listed as a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker, and is in the running for the Mike Richter Award, Tracy was far and away the best backstop in the league. He has the best GAA (1.43) and SV% (.945) in the country, second in wins (26) to Denver’s Matt Davis.
The offense has been hit or miss for the Mavericks this season, but Minnesota transfer Rhett Pitlick has been a consistent scoring threat, leading the team with 40 points, with his 27 assists the most among CCHA skaters.
The Mavs had a memorable run to the Frozen Four in 2022, the year goaltender Dryden McKay won the Hobey. With how Tracy has played this year, a couple of solid outings can give the team from Mankato a chance to win their first tournament game in three years.
Schedule
(4) Minnesota State vs. (1) Western Michigan – Thursday, 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
(3) Massachusetts vs. (2) Minnesota – Thursday, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN+
Regional Final – Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
Toledo Region
Michigan State Spartans
NHL affiliates: Trey Augustine, G (Detroit Red Wings), Patrick Geary, D (Buffalo Sabres), David Gucciardi, D (Washington Capitals), Isaac Howard, F (Tampa Bay Lightning), Vladislav Lukashevich, D (Florida Panthers), Charlie Stramel, F (Minnesota Wild), Maxim Strbak, D (Buffalo Sabres)
While the Eagles are the darlings of college hockey, Michigan State has been the team that has been challenging them for the top spot in the country. Adam Nightingale’s team clinched the Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament championships for the second year in a row, giving them a top seed heading into the regional. All of this without captain and Detroit Red Wings prospect Red Savage, who suffered a season-ending injury in January.
One of the arguable front-runners for the Hobey Baker Award, junior Isaac Howard has been clutch this year for the Spartans, including scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime this past Saturday in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State. The Big Ten Player of the Year is tied for fourth in the nation in scoring with 51 points.
A favorite for the Mike Richter, Trey Augustine is one text message away from moving up. The sophomore goaltender has been one of the top goaltenders outside the pro ranks over the past couple of years. Along with being a huge reason for MSU’s success, he also won back-to-back gold medals with Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
The Spartans are trying to advance to the Frozen Four for the first time since Justin Abdelkader was the hero in the national championship game in 2007.
Boston University Terriers
NHL affiliates: Kamil Bednaris, F (New York Islanders), Aiden Celebrini, D (Vancouver Canucks), Matt Copponi, F (Edmonton Oilers), Cole Eiserman, F (New York Islanders), Ryan Greene, F (Chicago Blackhawks), Jack Harvey, F (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jack Hughes, F (Los Angeles Kings), Cole Hutson, D (Washington Capitals), Devin Kaplan, F (Philadelphia Flyers), Shane Lachance, F (New Jersey Devils), Gavin McCarthy, D (Buffalo Sabres), Brandon Svoboda, F (San Jose Sharks), Tom Wallinder, D (Vancouver Canucks), Mikhail Yegorov, G (New Jersey Devils)
Though they lost the best player in college hockey to the NHL last year, the Terriers have stayed afloat in a very strong conference and have received several contributions to move on to the national tournament for a fourth time in five years. BU made it all the way to the conference semifinals before getting upended by Connecticut.
While Lane Hutson battles it out for the Calder Trophy, his brothers–Quinn and Cole–have carried the mail for BU this year. The brothers sit 1-2 on the team in scoring, with Quinn sitting tied for ninth in the country in scoring with 47 points, while rookie Cole is third among blueliners with 40.
Goaltender Mikhail Yegorov has been one of the craziest stories in college hockey. After starting the year with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, he was asked to enroll early at Boston University. The decision has paid off for the Terriers. The Russian netminder has a 1.99 GAA and .931 SV% in 14 games, helping BU win the Beanpot in February.
The Terriers were one of the fan favorites in last year’s Frozen Four. With a little more experience and an exciting young netminder, they could be heading back that way.
Ohio State Buckeyes
NHL affiliates: Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, F (Nashville Predators), Brent Johnson, D (Washington Capitals), Chris Romaine, D (Colorado Avalanche), Theo Wallberg, D (Ottawa Senators)
The team that suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Spartans looks to give themselves a shot at revenge in the regional final.
The Buckeyes enter the national tournament for the second time in three years trying to prove they’re more than just a shoo-in because they played in the Big Ten. Fifth-year forward Gunnarwolfe Fontaine has been a huge asset since transferring from Northeastern, bringing life to an offense that has been decent, to put it nicely, over the last few years. His 40 points led Ohio State, with the Predators prospect scoring some big goals, showing he’s ready to make the jump to the next level.
Similar to what it was all season, goaltending will be the key or death of OSU in this tournament. Veteran netminder Logan Terness proved he can be a big-time player with how he went save-for-save with Augustine in the Big Ten final. However, if he doesn’t bring an A-plus effort to Toledo, the “home” team might be heading back to Columbus quickly.
Then again, it is March. Another meeting between Ohio State and Michigan State would be must-see television.
Cornell Big Red
NHL affiliates: Jonathan Castagna, F (Utah Hockey Club), Luke Devlin, F (Pittsburgh Penguins), George Fegaras, D (Dallas Stars), Hank Kempf, D (Colorado Avalanche), Hoyt Stanley, D (Ottawa Senators), Ryan Walsh, F (Boston Bruins)
Heading into the ECAC Tournament, many wondered if Cornell had what it took to win the conference championship once again. Yet, the team stepped up when the chips were down, knocking off top-seeded Quinnipiac in the semifinals before taking down Clarkson to win a record 19th Whitelaw Cup.
Grit and a solid defensive structure have been the key to success for the Big Red this season. Senior netminder Ian Shane has been the backbone of the team for the past few seasons, and while his numbers aren’t as good as they were in 2023-24, he’s had to come up clutch to help his team advance to the national tournament for a third straight year.
No player has hit 30 points yet for Cornell, with Bruins draft pick Ryan Walsh leading the team with 28 points thus far.
The Big Red hasn’t made it to the Frozen Four since 2003, but this group of underdogs is looking to keep making noise.
Schedule
(3) Ohio State vs. (2) Boston University – Thursday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
(4) Cornell vs. (1) Michigan State – Thursday, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TSN+)
Regional Final – Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)