NCAA Men’s Hockey Power Rankings: Early upsets lead to movement
The 2025-26 NCAA Men’s Hockey season is underway, and we’ve already seen some exciting action.
While some teams in the country participated in exhibition play, a couple of marquee matchups provided fans with something to watch this past week. From tight battles to sizeable victories, there were plenty of results that led to some jostling in the first Power Rankings of the season.
Check out my Top 15 after Week 1 of action:
1. Western Michigan
Record: 0-0-0
Last Week: 1st
The Broncos didn’t play in a true game last week, having a relatively easy time against the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team on Saturday. The Broncos showed off some offensive muscle, with Liam Valente scoring twice, with newcomers William Whitelaw (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Zaccharya Wisdom (Seattle Kraken) also finding the back of the net in a 7-0 win.
Western Michigan will get its first authentic taste of action this week against a rebuilding Ferris State side.
2. Michigan State
Record: 0-0-0
Last Week: 2nd
The Spartans were another team that participated in exhibition action. However, all the big guns found their name on the scoresheet against USPORTS side Windsor on Friday. Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers), Ryker Lee (Nashville Predators) and Charlie Stramel (Minnesota Wild) all found the back of the net in a 4-0 win. Martone registered two points as well.
Michigan State faces a real opponent for the first time this coming weekend, as New Hampshire heads to East Lansing for a pair of games.
3. Penn State
Record: 2-0-0
Last Week: 4th
The Gavin McKenna Show is underway. The favorite to be taken first overall in next year’s NHL Draft assisted on the Nittany Lions’ first two goals of the season against Arizona State on Saturday. With the partisan crowd at Mullett Arena howling at him, McKenna scored the game-winner on Saturday, helping Penn State complete the weekend sweep. Matt Dimarsico, Aiden Fink (Predators), and Charlie Cerrato (Carolina Hurricanes) all had big performances against the Sun Devils, with Cerrato putting up five points in a 6-3 win on Friday.
The Nittany Lions are home this weekend, taking on Clarkson on Thursday and Friday.
4. Boston University
Record: 1-0-0
Last Week: 3rd
I was far from impressed with the Terriers this weekend. Against Long Island, BU was outshot in its own barn. Thankfully, two goals from Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders), and two-point performances from Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals), Sacha Boisvert (Chicago Blackhawks) and Owen McLaughlin (Flyers) helped give the Terriers a 4-2 win. Obviously, it’s a little early to be firing off alarms, but it was a less-than-ideal start for BU.
The Terriers look to have a better performance at Agganis this weekend against Colgate.
5. Denver
Record: 0-0-0
Last Week: 5th
The Pioneers ensured they wouldn’t lose to the defending ACHA Men’s D1 champion UNLV this past weekend, winning their exhibition game 6-1. A hat trick from Montreal Canadiens prospect Sam Harris helped the team build some confidence heading into the regular season. There’s a ton of experience on this DU team, making them a threat to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Denver kicks off its regular season on Friday against Air Force before welcoming Bentley to Magness on Saturday.
6. Boston College
Record: 0-1-0
Last Week: 6th
Had any of the notable teams behind them done anything last weekend, I would’ve knocked the Eagles down a peg or two. However, since they played a very good Quinnipiac team, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. You could see some of the lack of camaraderie, which was expected after losing so many good players at the end of last season. Captain Andre Gasseau (Boston Bruins) and Teddy Stiga (Predators) put their names on the scoresheet in the 4-3 loss on Friday.
BC has a tough test this coming weekend, as they prepare to visit Minnesota on Thursday and Friday.
7. Maine
Record: 0-0-0
Last Week: 7th
While the Black Bears didn’t play a regular-season game last Friday, their preseason tilt against border rival New Hampshire certainly felt like one. The revamped Maine squad had to rally from a 2-0 deficit to salvage a tie against the Wildcats, proving the team still has the bite that led to a Hockey East championship last season.
The Black Bears begin their regular season with a pair of home games against Holy Cross this weekend.
8. Minnesota
Record: 1-1-0
Last Week: 8th
I’m doing my best to take the opening weekend of the season with a grain of salt, but the Golden Gophers just inserted a lot of doubt into my head. Going against an, albeit very competitive, Michigan Tech team, Minnesota took its foot off the gas in an attempt at going for the sweep, losing 5-3 to the CCHA mainstay. With the amount of talent the Gophers have and the expectations brought into the new season, it was a rather lackluster weekend in Minneapolis. Once again, it’s only the first weekend, so I’ll keep my reservations relatively quiet, for now.
Things aren’t getting any easier for Minnesota. Though the team is at Mariucci on Thursday and Friday, they only have Boston College coming to town for a pair of games.
9. Providence
Record: 0-0-0
Last Week: 9th
The Friars partook in a pair of exhibition games this past week. After beating Canadian school Simon Fraser on Friday, they outlasted a Quinnipiac team that was just hours removed from its win over Boston College. It was a couple of positive results for Nate Leaman’s team heading into the regular season, as Providence has hopes to be a contender for the Hockey East Championship.
Providence opens things up with an intriguing matchup on home ice against Michigan this weekend.
10. North Dakota
Record: 0-0-0
Last Week: 10th
North Dakota also met with some Canadian competition in preseason play last weekend, facing off with border foe Manitoba, running away with a 7-0 win. Mac Swanson (Pittsburgh Penguins) had a goal and an assist, as did Jack Kernan. Detroit Red Wings prospect Dylan James also found the back of the net in the exhibition contest. The retooled Fighting Hawks still have some work to do to prove they can be near the top of the polls, but they have the firepower to be a top dog in the NCHC once again.
North Dakota gets set for a couple of tough games this weekend, taking on nationally-ranked St. Thomas in a home-and-home.
11. Quinnipiac
Record: 1-0-0
Last Week: 12th
For those who know what it’s like to be inside BC’s Conte Forum on a Friday night, it’s a tough place to play, even for the best teams in the country. Yet, the Bobcats showed little fear against the talented Eagles. Along with goals from Bruins’ draft pick Chris Pelosi and Vancouver Canucks prospect Matthew Lansing, Quinnipiac hung on for a statement 4-3 win. The Bobcats proved that they have a strong lineup capable of contending for another ECAC title, while also keeping pace with the nation’s best teams.
Quinnipiac hits the road this weekend, heading to Arizona State for the Ice Breaker Tournament, taking on Alaska on Friday.
12. Michigan
Record: 2-0-0
Last Week: 12th
I’m not going to take too much stock in the Wolverines’ opening weekend. Taking on lowly Mercyhurst, the Wolverines hounded the Lakers, sweeping the Atlantic Hockey America foe by a combined score of 18-1. Penguins prospect Will Horcoff had five goals on the weekend, including a hat trick last Friday. Habs draft pick Michael Hage has seven points against Mercyhurst, with Cole McKinney (San Jose Sharks) potting two goals and two assists over the two victories.
Michigan faces some real competition, heading up to Rhode Island for a two-game set against Providence.
13. Connecticut
Record: 1-1-0
Last Week: 11th
Call it the altitude, but the Huskies didn’t really look like themselves in the first game of the season against Colorado College last Friday. I still believe UConn is one of the better teams in Hockey East, but if they want people to believe they can be legitimate contenders, they need to find ways to get the job done on the road. The team salvaged a split with a solid 5-1 victory in game two against the Tigers, but there’s a lot to be desired from the Huskies.
UConn has a week off before playing a pair of games at home against Ohio State, including facing off in Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 18.
14. Massachusetts
Record: 2-0-0
Last Week: 15th
The Minutemen had a solid start to the season on home ice last week. Against a rebuilding Northern Michigan team, UMass brutally outshot the Wildcats this past Saturday, 70-26, leading to a 5-3 win on Saturday. Blackhawks draft pick Vaclav Nestrasil scored his first collegiate goal in the victory, while Jack Musa totaled three goals in the two-game sweep.
UMass has just one game this week, taking on Stonehill on Friday night.
15. Arizona State
Record: 0-2-0
Last Week: 14th
Arizona State had the lights shining on them last weekend. A national TV audience to see McKenna’s debut and a rowdy student section at Mullett Arena. However, it wasn’t enough to slow down Penn State’s offensive attack. The Sun Devils were outscored 10-5 over the two games, demonstrating that the team still needs to improve to prove it has the firepower to keep up with top teams in the NCAA. Like I’ve said before, the season’s still young.
The Sun Devils are set to host the Ice Breaker Tournament this weekend, beginning with a matchup against Notre Dame on Friday night.
Honorable Mention: Ohio State, Cornell, St. Thomas, Wisconsin