2026 NCAA Women’s Hockey Tournament Preview: Everything you need to know
It’s that time again. The best teams in the country look to show they have what it takes to be crowned champions, with some of the most exciting players in the world set to step back into the spotlight.
Let the madness commence.
The 2026 NCAA Women’s Hockey Tournament is one of the most anticipated tournaments in some time. The momentum coming out of the Winter Olympics has brought widespread attention to the women’s game, with many players on the gold-medal-winning United States squad – Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey and Abbey Murphy – now seeing a national title for their respective schools.
While there’s the certified expectation that we will see another all-WCHA final later this month, there are a couple of teams from elsewhere who look to cause a stir in the opening rounds.
Let’s take a look at the 11 squads set to do battle in this year’s tournament.
Ohio State
What a surprise…a WCHA team is the top seed in the NCAA Tournament. Granted, I’m not sure many of us thought it was going to be Ohio State. However, the Buckeyes enter the big dance on a heater, winning eight games in a row, and knocking off Wisconsin to win a third conference championship this past Saturday. Coming out on top in the toughest league in the NCAA certainly gives OSU the most confidence heading into the tournament.
The Buckeyes might not have as deep a roster as they had when they won it all two years ago, but there are a lot of exciting players who are poised to take this team to the Frozen Four for the sixth year in a row. The offense has been driven by the likes of Hilda Svensson, Joy Dunne and Jocelyn Amos. Dunne, fresh off winning gold with Team USA last month, posted 47 points in 28 games, with Amos complementing the trio with 42. Yet, Svensson has garnered the most attention, entering the tournament seventh in the country with 50 points in her freshman season.
Wisconsin
It’s been hard to grasp that the defending national champions failed to win a third-straight conference championship. A team that’s littered with Olympians and future PWHLers somehow lost four games this season, twice to Ohio State. That said, Mark Johnson’s team is more than capable of ramping things up come tournament time. So many players from last year’s team are back for more, including Edwards, Harvey, Simms, Eden and more.
Five of the top 15 scorers in the country, including Cassie Hall and Kelly Gorbatenko, come from this team. They have the ability to score their way out of problems, but if they slip up, they have goaltender Ava McNaughton to shut the door. The reigning NCAA Women’s Hockey Goalie of the Year, the junior leads the country in wins (25) and goals-against average (1.32).
The Badgers are looking to become the first true repeat champions since Clarkson won back-to-back titles in 2017-18 (Wisconsin won in 2019 and 2021, with COVID canceling the 2020 tournament).
Penn State
A surprising three-seed, Penn State comes from the lowly Atlantic Hockey America, a one-bid conference that has not had a team win a national tournament game since Mercyhurst’s surprising run to the semifinals 12 years ago.
Yet, the Nittany Lions seem poised to change that narrative this year. Entering the tournament after winning the AHA title for the fourth year in a row, earning its highest seed in program history and a chance to host its down regional.
Everyone is focused on Tessa Janecke, and for good reason. The AHA Player and Forward of the Year led the team with 45 points in 29 games, sitting ninth in the country in points per game (1.55). Yet, the Patty Kazmaier finalist isn’t the only weapon Penn State’s bringing to the tournament. Forward Grace Outwater has really shone in her sophomore season, while AHA defender of the year Kendall Butze and goaltender of the year Katie DeSa are stalwarts as well, with DeSa leading the country with 11 shutouts.
Minnesota
The Golden Gophers have been considered the No. 3 team in the “Big Three” of the WCHA, and this year is no different. While Murphy is finishing her college career as dominant as ever, she’s going to be at her best in order to help Minnesota break through and play for a national title for the first time in seven years.
Murphy has a more experienced core surrounding her this year. Josefin Bouveng has grown into quite the prospect, with fellow veterans Ava Lindsay, Jamie Nelson and defender Sydney Morrow having career years as well. On top of that, Bella Fanale has burst onto the scene to provide a secondary scoring touch that the Gophers have lacked.
If Minnesota wants to be a contender in the Frozen Four, then goaltender Hannah Clark will have to be at her best. The sophomore improved on a promising rookie season, though she’s had a little more rest.
Northeastern
The Huskies come into the national tournament on a bit of a whimper. While they earned an at-large bid for the second time in program history, and the team’s first national tournament berth since 2023, Northeastern lost in the Hockey East final in overtime (again) to Connecticut. It has put a damper on what was one of the program’s best seasons in some time, as Dave Flint’s squad captured the conference’s regular-season championship.
A number of players contributed to the Huskies’ success this season, especially freshman Stryker Zablocki. The Saskatchewan native was named the Hockey East Player and Co-Rookie of the Year, currently tied with teammate Lily Shannon for the most points among skaters in Hockey East, with both players having notched 43 points so far. Jules Constantinople has been exceptional from the back end, earning All-Hockey East First-Team honors.
The Huskies have not made it to the Frozen Four since 2023.
Connecituct
UConn missed out on the national tournament last year, but the Huskies have come back in a big way. Despite suffering some disappointing losses earlier in the year, they have rallied with a strong second half, beating Northeastern to win the Hockey East Championship for the second time in three years. Compared to the 2023-24 team, UConn has a lot more firepower up front. Led by senior Kyla Josifovic and sophomore Claire Murdoch, the Huskies led the conference with 113 goals, while allowing just 60.
Defense is one of this team’s strengths, and it starts with goaltender Tia Chan, the former Chinese Olympian, who has been clutch for her team down the stretch, solidifying herself as one of the top goaltenders in the country. However, if the Huskies want any chance of making it out of the first round, she’ll need some goal support as well.
UConn and Northeastern are both trying to become the first Hockey East team to make it to the Frozen Four in three years.
Quinnipiac
The top team coming out of the ECAC is Quinnipiac, which is in the national tournament for the first time since reaching the Frozen Four in 2023.
The Bobcats won the ECAC Championship for the first time in a decade, using a healthy mix of production from veterans and youngsters alike. A lot of the attention is on Kahlen Lamarche, the nation’s leading goal scorer and one of the 10 finalists for the Patty Kaz. However, she isn’t the only one having a promising year. Fellow senior Emerson Jarvis has been putting the puck in the net, while sophomore defender Makayla Watson, who was named All-ECAC Second Team, finished tied for 14th in the NCAA in defensive scoring.
If Quinnipiac wants to make a run, they’ll need Felicia Frank at her best. The ECAC Goaltender of the Year led the country with 28 wins this year, coming into the tournament with a .924 SV%, which places her fifth.
Yale
Yale finished tied atop the ECAC standings for just the second time in program history, and the first since 2023. It has been a work in progress for three-time ECAC Women’s Coach of the Year Mark Bolding’s program, as the Bulldogs have struggled since the likes of Elle Hartje and Pia Dukaric left. Yet, a new cast of characters have helped turn things around. Yale has a two-headed offensive monster in Jordan Ray and Carina DiAntonio, two seniors who narrowly missed reaching 50 points before the national tournament.
Rookie defender Molly Boyle was named the conference’s top blueliner after an exceptional first season in New Haven, posting 34 points and a plus/minus of +24. Freshman goaltender Samson Frey has also been incredible. With a 15-2-0 record, the New York native is third in the NCAA in GAA (1.47) and ninth in the SV% (.937).
Despite losing to Quinnipiac in the conference final, Yale has shown the confidence to cause a stir in the national tournament. The Bulldogs haven’t been to the Frozen Four since 2022.
Princeton
The Tigers shared the ECAC regular-season title with the Bulldogs, earning their first NCAA Tournament bid since Sarah Fillier burst onto the scene during the 2018-19 season (though they would’ve qualified in 2020 had COVID not been a thing).
Like those teams several years ago, a young Canadian star in the making is leading the way. Issy Wunder has been dynamite this year for the Tigers and has placed herself as a highly touted prospect heading into this year’s PWHL draft. The Toronto native is a little off the pace that led to her 50-point performance last year, but has still notched a respectable 43 points in 33 games.
Mackenzie Alexander is another name to watch out for. The sophomore is right behind Wunder in team scoring, scoring 22 goals and 42 points. As you would expect in a tournament like this, goaltending could make or break Princeton. Junior Uma Corniea has had a career year, but the Edina native has never faced this level of competition before.
Princeton has never made it to the Women’s Frozen Four.
Minnesota Duluth
The Bulldogs are in the big dance for the sixth year in a row, but are the lowest seed the program has been since 2022. Even with a team that has the likes of Thea Johansson, Eve Gascon, and Caitlin Kraemer, UMD had its share of struggles in stretches this year and was shockingly eliminated by Minnesota State, a team that finished 19 points behind them during the regular season, in the WCHA Quarterfinals.
Now, Duluth has to try to recover to at least win one national tournament game for the sixth year in a row. While a matchup with top-ranked Ohio State looms, the Bulldogs have the talent to play in the quarterfinals. Johansson and Rae Mayer can certainly put the puck in the net, while Kraemer is evolving into the team’s biggest star.
Yet, the Bulldogs’ success will come down to how well Gascon plays. The junior has been the team’s bread and butter since she arrived on campus, posting career highs in wins (34) and shutouts (10) this year.
Franklin Pierce
It’s the fourth year in a row that NEWHA has been granted an automatic bid into the tournament. While Long Island, Stonehill and Sacred Heart have been unable to pull off upsets in their tries in the national tournament, Franklin Pierce is going to give it a whirl for the first time in program history.
The Ravens were the last NEWHA champion not to earn an automatic bid to the tournament, winning the conference title in 2022. This year’s team has a solid young core to complement some veterans who have helped set the tone for success. Caleigh Murphy led Franklin Pierce with 17 goals and 35 points, while goaltender Jill Hertl established herself as one of the best goaltenders in the region, going 18-7-2 in 28 games, posting a 1.63 GAA, a .955 SV% (best in the country) and five shutouts.
The Ravens don’t necessarily have the depth to keep up with the best teams in the country, but they’ll definitely play with pride in their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Players to Watch
Lacey Eden (F, Gr., Wisconsin)
While everyone had their attention on Edwards, Harvey and Smimms while they were in Italy, Eden took over as the nation’s top scorer. The super senior enters the tournament riding a nine-game point streak, scoring eight goals and 21 points over that span. A skilled winger who can fit a variety of roles, Eden leads the country with 73 points in just 38 games.
Kahlen Lamarche (F, Sr., Quinnipiac)
Lamarche’s impact on the Bobcats this year can’t be overstated. In the opening weeks of the season, Quinnipiac looked like the team to beat simply because of how effective she was. At one point, it looked like she was going to hit 50 goals this year. While she cooled off in the second half, Lamarche’s nose for the net and shot make her a threat whenever she has the puck.
Chloe Primerano (D, So., Minnesota)
Arguably the biggest omission from Canada’s Olympic roster, Primerano seems poised to have a breakout performance during this tournament. While her production isn’t mind-blowing, the North Vancouver native’s speed and ability to see the game make her one of the best underclasswomen in hockey. If Minnesota makes it far in this tournament, you know Primerano is going to be a reason why.
Hilda Svensson (F, Fr., Ohio State)
We all knew Svensson had talent based on what she accomplished in the international game. The Swede has made herself a budding star with what she has done in her first year in Columbus. The WCHA Rookie of the Year finished second among NCAA freshmen with 50 points, though she probably would’ve scored more if she weren’t pushing Sweden to a semifinal appearance at the Winter Games.
Tia Chan (G, Sr. UConn)
While there are goaltenders like MacLeod, Gascon and McNaughton, Chan might be the most intriguing goaltender heading into the tournament. All of us remember her incredible performance against Duluth in the first round in 2024, when she made 48 saves in a double-overtime loss. If the right-handed catching netminder can play at that level again, there’s no way UConn doesn’t win a game in the national tournament for the first time.
First-round matchups (March 12)
(11) Franklin Pierce vs. (7) Quinnipiac (8 p.m. ET)
(9) Princeton vs. (6) Connecticut (7 p.m. ET)
(10) Minnesota Duluth vs. (8) Yale (6 p.m. ET)
Quarterfinal matchups (March 14)
Princeton/UConnvs. (3) Penn State (2 p.m. ET)
Franklin Pierce/Quinnipiac vs. (2) Wisconsin (3 p.m. ET)
(5) Northeastern vs. (4) Minnesota (3 p.m. ET)
Minnesota Duluth/Yale vs. (1) Ohio State (6 p.m. ET)
For the full tournament schedule, click here