2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament: Previewing all 16 teams
Let the madness commence!
The top programs in the country get set to battle it out in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament, all with their sights set on advancing to the Frozen Four.
Teams filled with future NHL stars and college veterans look to take another step toward the ultimate bragging rights, a national championship.
Here is how the teams are heading into this weekend’s regionals.
Albany Regional
Michigan Wolverines
NHL affiliates: Asher Barnett, D (Edmonton Oilers), Kienan Draper, F (Detroit Red Wings), Michael Hage, F (Montreal Canadiens), Will Horcoff, F (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jack Ivankovic, G (Nashville Predators), Henry Mews, D (Calgary Flames), Cole McKinney, F (San Jose Sharks), Nicholas Moldenhauer, F (San Jose Sharks), Aidan Park, F (Edmonton Oilers), Jayden Perron, F (Carolina Hurricanes), Drew Schock, D (Anaheim Ducks), Malcolm Spence, F (New York Rangers)
You talk about a bounce-back season for Brandon Naurato’s team. Last year, the Wolverines were ousted by Penn State in the Big Ten quarterfinals, failing to qualify for the national tournament. However, the additions of Hage, Perron and Ivankovic, along with a talented senior class, helped Michigan return to the top of the charts. The team entered the postseason as the No. 1 team in the country, and ran through Notre Dame, Penn State and Ohio State to win the program’s first conference title in three years.
The Wolverines led the country with 169 goals scored, with Hobey Baker finalist and Big Ten Player of the Year TJ Hughes sitting second in the country with 53 points in 37 games, with Hage right behind him with 51 points. Horcoff leads Michigan with 24 goals, tied for third in the NCAA. Ivankovic has been a godsend after the Wolverines had arguably the worst tandem in the Big Ten last year. The Predators prospect sits tied for second in the country with 23 wins, with a .923 SV% and three shutouts.
Michigan hasn’t been to the Frozen Four since losing to Boston College in the 2024 semifinals.
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
NHL affiliates: Brady Cleveland, D (Detroit Red Wings), Adam Gajan. G (Chicago Blackhawks), Adam Kleber, D (Buffalo Sabres), Aaron Pionk. D (Minnesota Wild), Max Plante, F (Detroit Red Wings), Zam Plante, F (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jayson Shaugabay, F (Tampa Bay Lightning)
This is a Bulldog team that did a ton of growing after a rough 2024-25 campaign. So many freshmen-turned-sophomores developed into big-time players, helping Duluth make it all the way to the NCHC final before falling to Denver. Yet this is a confident group that can surprise some in the program’s first national tournament appearance since 2022.
It all starts with Max Plante. The NCHC Forward and Player of the Year enters the big dance fifth in the country in scoring, leading all NCHC skaters with 24 goals and 49 points. He’s followed closely by older brother Zam Plante and fellow second-year forward Jayson Shaugabay, who both have notched over 40 points thus far.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are solid, with Adam Kleber being named the NCHC’s best defender. In net, Adam Gajan has come up clutch against some of the best teams in the conference, and has the ability to drag UMD to its first Frozen Four appearance in five years.
Penn State Nittany Lions
NHL affiliates: Charlie Cerrato, F (Carolina Hurricanes), Aiden Fink, F (Nashville Predators), Reese Laubach, F (San Jose Sharks), Luke Misa, F (Calgary Flames), Kevin Reidler, G (Ottawa Senators), Jackson Smith, D (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Expectations were high for the Nittany Lions heading into the year. After making it to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history last spring, the team made headlines by attracting Gavin McKenna, arguably the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. After overcoming some early-season struggles, the former Medicine Hat Tiger found his groove, entering the tournament tied for third in the nation with 51 points, while sitting second in assists (36).
The Big Ten Freshman of the Year was far from a one-man show. Aiden Fink, who missed an extended period of time due to injury, still managed to score 38 points in 29 games. Last year’s regionals hero, Matt DiMarsico, posted 42 points as well. Charlie Cerrato missed most of the second half of the year with an injury, but joined the team in time for the conference tournament and will be an important piece for the Nittany Lions’ attack.
Guy Gadowsky split freshman Joshua Fleming and second-year netminder Kevin Reidler through the regular season, but Fleming ended up getting the call for Penn State in the playoffs.
The Nittany Lions might’ve bowed out in the Big Ten Semifinals, but they have the firepower to grab another regional title.
Bentley Falcons
For the second year in a row, the Falcons enter the tournament as champions of Atlantic Hockey America. This time around, led by conference coach of the year Andy Jones, they swept the conference championships, having finished with the best record in the AHA as well.
Bentley’s offense has been led by Jake Black. The senior exploded with the best season of his college career. In 39 games, he posted 19 goals and 41 points, finishing second among AHA skaters. Junior Kellan Hjartarson also had a great season, finishing as one of four Falcons to reach 30 points this year.
Last year, Connor Hasley almost single-handedly beat Boston College. With Hasley jetting off to join Arizona State this year, freshman Lukas Swedin has taken over the reins, having done so admirably. His 2.02 GAA and .921 SV% are the best among qualified AHA goaltenders. This, while sophomore Nick Bevilacqua posted an 8-1-1 record, with a 1.59 GAA and .940 save percentage in 10 appearances.
Bentley will once again look to be the first team from the conference formerly known as Atlantic Hockey to win a game in the national tournament since AIC stunned top-seeded St. Cloud State in 2019.
Schedule
(4) Bentley vs. (1) Michigan – Friday, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU, TSN+)
(3) Penn State vs. (2) Minnesota Duluth – Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2, TSN+)
Regional Final – Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN2, TSN+)
Worcester Regional
Michigan State Spartans
NHL affiliates: Trey Augustine, G (Detroit Red Wings), Austin Baker, F (Detroit Red Wings), Sean Barnhill, D (New York Rangers), Patrick Geary, D (Buffalo Sabres), Matthew Lahey, D (Toronto Maple Leafs), Ryker Lee, F (Nashville Predators), Cayden Lindstrom, F (Columbus Blue Jackets), Porter Martone, F (Philadelphia Flyers), Eric Nilson, F (Anaheim Ducks), Colin Ralph, D (St. Louis Blues), Anthony Romani, F (Vancouver Canucks), Melvin Strahl, G (Columbus Blue Jackets), Charlie Stramel, F (Minnesota Wild), Maxim Strbak, D (Buffalo Sabres), Shane Vansaghi, F (Philadelphia Flyers)
The Spartans entered the 2025-26 season as favorites to finally get over the hump and make it to Las Vegas. While the team has hit some bumps along the way, they have stayed the course, never dropping out of the top five in the NPI or national polls. Big Ten Coach of the Year Adam Nightingale’s roster is littered with so many stars that anything less than a Frozen Four appearance will be a disappointment. Michigan State finished atop the Big Ten standings for the third year in a row, but was stunned by Ohio State in the conference semifinals.
Yet MSU has its sights set on something greater, and it has the crew to carry it there. Starting with goaltender Trey Augustine, who’s a finalist for both the Hobey Baker and Mike Richter Awards. The Big Ten Goaltender of the Year backstops an experienced group that includes fellow Hobey Baker finalist Charlie Stramel, the conference’s best defender in Matt Basgall, and the exciting Porter Martone as well.
Despite having strong regular seasons for the past two seasons, Michigan State is still looking for its first regional title since 2007, when the Spartans won the program’s last national championship.
Dartmouth Big Green
NHL affiliates: Emmett Croteau, G (Montreal Canadiens)
It has been a memorable run for Dartmouth. Despite seemingly always being a competitive team in the ECAC, the team hadn’t been to the national tournament in almost half a century.
That changed this year.
In a wild year in the ECAC, the Big Green finished second in the conference and took down underdogs Colgate and Clarkson before beating Princeton in overtime on Saturday night to win the program’s first ECAC title and the program’s first conference championship since 1949.
Dartmouth possesses one of the top defenses in the nation. The team has given up just 70 goals this year, second in the country to Cornell. Emmett Croteau has played the bulk of the games, posting the third-best GAA in the NCAA (1.58), allowing just three goals during the ECAC Tournament. Along with an exceptional goaltender, Hayden Stavroff, the conference’s player of the year, is the nation’s leading goal scorer with 29 tallies this season, and one of the semifinalists for the Hobey Baker.
The Big Green haven’t been to the Frozen Four since their last tournament appearance in 1980.
Wisconsin Badgers
NHL affiliates: Tyson Dyck, F (Ottawa Senators), Quinn Finley, F (New York Islanders), Logan Hensler, D (Ottawa Senators), Bruno Idzan, F (Ottawa Senators), Kyle Kukkonen, F (Anaheim Ducks), Blake Montgomery, F (Ottawa Senators), Luke Osburn, D (Buffalo Sabres), Jack Phelan, D (Detroit Red Wings), Zach Schulz, D (New York Islanders), Vasily Zelenov, F (Buffalo Sabres)
Wisconsin has fluctuated in the national rankings throughout the year, a vast improvement after winning just 13 games a year ago. Mike Hastings’ team used grit and a little bit of talent to finish fourth in the Big Ten. However, the Badgers lost to Ohio State in the Big Ten quarterfinals for the third year in a row, giving the team plenty of rest heading into the national tournament.
Wisconsin has had a variety of characters contribute offensively. Gavin Morrissey leads the team with 33 points, the only player to reach the 30-point mark this year. All-Big Ten First Team defenseman Ben Dexheimer has been a thrill to watch, delivering 24 points in 35 games, and being a big part of a rather impressive blue line that includes rookie blueliner Luke Osburn.
The big question mark for the Badgers has been between the pipes. Freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser has started the bulk of the games, but has been hot and cold, delivering a 2.60 GAA and .898 SV% in 29 games.
The Badgers haven’t been to the Frozen Four since their run to the national championship game in 2010.
Connecticut Huskies
NHL affiliates: Anthony Allen Samake, D (Anaheim Ducks), Alexandre Blais, F (Anaheim Ducks), Brendan Dunphy, D (Florida Panthers). Joey Muldowney, F (San Jose Sharks), Tyler Muszelik, G (Florida Panthers), Jake Richard, F (Buffalo Sabres)
The Huskies are back in the national tournament, though they have more of the underdog role this time around. After coming a goal away from advancing to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history, UConn is hoping it can pull off a massive upset to play for a regional championship once again.
This year’s squad finished third in Hockey East, making it all the way to the championship game before falling to the Cinderella story in Merrimack in a thrilling overtime game. Yet, it was enough to send the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.
If UConn wants any chance of making a push for the Frozen Four, they’re going to need a little more offense than they had in the regular season. Senior Ryan Tattle was the only player to reach 30 points, while Joey Muldowney led the team with 17 goals, earning All-Hockey East Second Team honors.
Tyler Muszelik, who ended up playing second fiddle to Callum Tung in last year’s tournament, has been the team’s No. 1 starter and has done admirably well, setting career highs in wins (19), GAA (2.21), SV% (.927) and shutouts (3).
Schedule
(4) UConn vs. (1) Michigan State – Thursday, 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, TSN+)
(3) Wisconsin vs. (2) Dartmouth – Thursday, 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU, TSN+)
Regional Final – Saturday, 4:30p ET (ESPN2, TSN+)
Sioux Falls Regional
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
NHL affiliates: EJ Emery, D (New York Rangers), Dylan James, F (Detroit Red Wings), Ollie Josephson, F (Seattle Kraken), David Klee, F (San Jose Sharks), Sam Laurila, D (New York Islanders), Cade Littler, F (Calgary Flames), Cole Reschny, F (Calgary Flames), Andrew Strathmann, D (Columbus Blue Jackets), Ben Strinden, F (Nashville Predators), Mac Swanson, F (Pittsburgh Penguins), Abram Wiebe, D (Calgary Flames), Will Zellers, F (Boston Bruins)
What’s crazy about the Fighting Hawks is that, despite being the third-highest-scoring team in the country, not a single player has 35 points thus far. However, the spread-out attack under first-year head coach Dane Jackson, who was named the NCHC’s top bench boss, has made the blue-blood program one of the best in the country once again. Eight players have scored 20 points this season, including Ellis Rickwood and Cole Reschny, who lead the charge with 34 apiece, with Reschny earning conference rookie of the year honors.
Along with a strong offensive attack, the Fighting Hawks have one of the best netminders in the country. Rookie Jan Spunar was a top-10 finalist for the Mike Richter, and it’s easy to see why. With an 18-4-1 record, the Czech netminder is 10th in the country with a 2.06 GAA and was named the NCHC’s top goaltender.
NoDak finished atop the NCHC standings for the second time in three years, but was knocked out by Minnesota Duluth in the conference semifinals. The team is looking for its first Frozen Four appearance since winning it all in 2016.
Providence Friars
NHL affiliates: Tomas Machu, D (New York Islanders), Hudson Malinoski, F (Toronto Maple Leafs), Roger McQueen, F (Anaheim Ducks), John Mustard, F (Chicago Blackhawks), Logan Sawyer, F (Montreal Canadiens), Julius Sumpf, F (Chicago Blackhawks), Philip Svedeback, G (Boston Bruins)
Many expected Providence to run the table in the Hockey East Tournament, but that was until Merrimack stunned the Friars in overtime during the quarterfinals. Yet HEA Coach of the Year Nate Leaman is confident his lineup can pick itself back up in the national tournament.
If the Friars want to have success in Sioux Falls, they’ll be relying on their strong defense that enters the tournament fifth in fewest goals allowed (77). Despite having a young D-Corps, PC has many reliable players in their own zone. Jack Parsons and Philip Svedback split time in the net this season, but expect the freshman Parsons to get the call this weekend, as he outperformed his veteran counterpart during the season.
While the team had six players reach 20 points thus far, no Friar hit the 30-point plateau. John Mustard posted a career-high 28 points in his sophomore campaign, while Roger McQueen notched 27 points in 35 games, earning him the title of Hockey East Rookie of the Year.
The Friars, who lost to Denver in the opening round last year, are seeking their first Frozen Four bid in seven years.
Quinnipiac Bobcats
NHL affiliates: Elliott Groenewold, D (Boston Bruins), Matthew Lansing, F (Vancouver Canucks), Charlie Leddy, D (New Jersey Devils), Christopher Pelosi, F (Boston Bruins), Ethan Wyttenbach (Calgary Flames)
The Bobcats are back, and if there’s anything we’ve learned from Rand Pecknold’s teams is that, come tournament time, they’re a tough out. Three years removed from the program’s incredible run to the championship, Quinnipiac has high expectations after finishing atop the ECAC standings, even though the team was knocked out in the ECAC quarterfinals by eighth-seeded Clarkson.
They’re powered by the nation’s leading scorer. Rookie Ethan Wyttenbach has been efficient since his arrival on campus, leading the NCAA in points (58) and points per game (1.53). The ECAC Rookie of the Year powers the country’s second-best offense, which also has Antonin Verreault and Markus Vidicek.
Pecknold has split veteran Matej Marinov and sophomore Dylan Silverstein, with the latter getting the call in the Bobcats’ quarterfinal series with the Golden Knights. Silverstein does possess a 1.93 GAA, which is good four fourth in the country, despite playing just 16 games.
Quinnipiac is trying to make it to the Frozen Four for the first time since the team’s national title in 2023.
Merrimack Warriors
NHL affiliates: Michael Emerson, F (Carolina Hurricanes), Trevor Hoskin, F (Calgary Flames), Filip Nordberg, D (Ottawa Senators)
Unquestionably, the team that shocked almost everyone by reaching this tournament is Merrimack. The team finished eighth in Hockey East this season, but heated up at the right time. The Warriors knocked off top-seeded Providence in the conference tournament, downing UMass and UConn to win the program’s first Hockey East title, sending the team to the national tournament for the first time since 2023.
While there aren’t a ton of headline-grabbing names on their roster, the Warriors have a number of players who are tough to stop. Parker Lalonde had an exceptional season, leading the squad with 37 points, with fellow underclassmen Justin Gill and Trevor Hoskin each having 35 points thus far.
Max Lundgren has played all 38 games for Merrimack and was sensational when it mattered most, giving up just six goals in four games during the HEA Tournament, posting a 49-save performance against the Huskies in the final last weekend.
This is just the Warriors’ third-ever trip to the national tournament, with the team looking for its first win in program history.
Schedule
(3) Quinnipiac vs. (2) Providence – Thursday, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TSN+)
(4) Merrimack vs. (1) North Dakota – Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, TSN+)
Regional Final – Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2, TSN+)
Loveland Regional
Western Michigan Broncos
NHL affiliates: Ty Henricks, F (New York Rangers), Zach Nehring, F (Winnipeg Jets), Zack Sharp, D (San Jose Sharks), Hampton Slukynsky, G (Los Angeles Kings), Cole Spicer. F (Boston Bruins), Joona Vaisanen, D (Pittsburgh Penguins), Theo Wallberg, D (Ottawa Senators), William Whitelaw, F (Columbus Blue Jackets), Zaccharya Wisdom, F (Seattle Kraken)
The defending national champions are hoping to run it back with a revamped roster. They returned Frozen Four hero Owen Michaels, along with fellow college veterans Liam Valente and Grant Slukynsky. Slukynsky, the team’s leading scorer, is in the top-20 in the country with 40 points, a career-high. Transfers William Whitelaw and Zaccharya Wisdom have been clutch, with Whitelaw joining Slukynsky and Valente as the three Broncos who have hit 30 points.
WMU has dealt with some adversity, as Joona Vaisanen, arguably one of the most talented blueliners in the NCHC, suffered an injury in November that has knocked him out for the rest of the season. Former Dallas Stars prospect Samuel Sjolund has stepped up in his absence, delivering 26 points this year.
Goaltender Hampton Slukynsky has started every game this season, and though his individual numbers aren’t as strong as some of his counterparts, he has been consistent, leading the nation with 26 wins coming into the tournament.
WMU is looking to become the first back-to-back champion since Minnesota Duluth won consecutive titles in 2018 and 2019.
Denver Pioneers
NHL affiliates: Garrett Brown, D (Winnipeg Jets), Hagen Burrows, F (Tampa Bay Lightning), Clarke Caswell, F (Seattle Kraken), Kristian Epperson, F (Los Angeles Kings), Jake Fisher, F (Colorado Avalanche), Sam Harris, F (Montreal Canadiens), Eric Jamieson, D (Calgary Flames), Rieger Lorenz, F (Minnesota Wild), Brendan McMorrow, F (Los Angeles Kings), Quentin Miller, G (Montreal Canadiens), Tory Pitner, D (Colorado Avalanche), Eric Pohlkamp, D (San Jose Sharks), James Reeder, F (Los Angeles Kings), Samu Salminen, F (New Jersey Devils)
The Pioneers are on a path to a third straight trip to the Frozen Four. DU finished second in the ever-tough NCHC during the regular season, before using overtime wins over Western Michigan and Minnesota Duluth to win the program’s second conference championship in three seasons.
David Carle’s group is solid from top to bottom. Denver has the fifth-most goals among D-I teams (137), with Eric Pohlkamp, the NCHC’s Offensive Defenseman of the Year, leading the team with 37 points. The Pioneers have four players, including Rieger Lorenz, to hit 30 points this season.
Johnny Hicks has been one of the biggest surprises of the season. After fellow rookie Quentin Miller went down with a lower-body injury in January, Hicks stepped up, posting an eye-opening 12-0-1 record in the second semester, leading the nation with a 1.14 GAA and a .958 SV%. He’s coming off a 41-save performance in the NCHC title game against Duluth last weekend.
For a team that has lost so many stars year over year, and is still a favorite to win a third national title in five years, it shows how strong the program is as a whole under Carle.
Cornell Big Red
NHL affiliates: Luke Ashton, D (Columbus Blue Jackets), Jonathan Castagna, F (Calgary Flames), Alexis Cournoyer, G (Montreal Canadiens), Luke Devlin, F (Pittsburgh Penguins), George Fegaras, D (Dallas Stars), Michael Fisher (San Jose Sharks), Hoyt Stanley, D (Ottawa Senators), Xavier Leilleux, D (New York Islanders), Ryan Walsh, F (Boston Bruins)
The Big Red are back in the national tournament for the fourth year in a row, and the first under Casey Jones. Jones is trying to lead the team to do what longtime bench boss Mike Scahefer couldn’t in recent years: guide the team to the Frozen Four. Cornell has at least won its opening-round game in each of its previous four tournament appearances, but hasn’t won a regional title since 2003.
There are a lot of players who have been a key part in helping the Big Red make it to big dance, and though the team couldn’t win a third straight ECAC title, this veteran-laden roster has hopes they can get over the hump this time around. Cornell leads the NCAA with the fewest goals allowed thus far (64), led by Jontathan Castagna. Along with leading the team with 15 goals and 34 points this year, the junior was also named the ECAC’s best defensive forward. Fellow NHL prospect Ryan Walsh has a career year as well, posting 33 points thus far.
Alexis Cournoyer picked up where Ian Shane left off after he graduated. The rookie has been great this year, winning 18 of his 27 games while delivering a 1.98 GAA. Going up against a highly-touted DU offense, the Quebec native will have to stand on his head once again.
Minnesota State Mavericks
NHL affiliates: Jack Smith, F (Montreal Canadiens)
For the second year in a row, and the eighth time in nine seasons, the Mavericks come into the national tournament as conference champions. It isn’t like Minnesota State is a shoo-in either, as the CCHA champions are a higher seed than Hockey East program Connecticut. Luke Strand’s squad has one of the nation’s top defenses, led by former Mike Richter Award finalist Alex Tracy, who had another incredible season. The senior’s numbers took a slight dip compared to his sensational third year in Mankato, but he still finished second in the NCAA in GAA (1.80), fifth in the wins (21) and in the top 10 in SV% (.927).
The team has a little bit of offense that could surprise some teams. Fifth-year forward Tristan Lemyre led the charge with 16 goals and 34 points, while CCHA Defender of the Year Evan Murr posted a team-best 20 assists to go along with his 30 points.
Mankato will get a second crack at Western Michigan in the first game of the tournament. In the Broncos’ run to the title last spring, the Mavericks took them to double overtime, before Grant Slukynsky played the hero for WMU.
Minnesota State hasn’t been to the Frozen Four since its back-to-back appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Schedule
(4) Minnesota State vs. (1) Western Michigan – Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU, TSN+)
(3) Cornell vs. (2) Denver – Friday, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TSN+)
Regional Final – Sunday, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, TSN+)
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