Puck drops on college hockey: A closer look at the big three conferences
by Dain Solberg, Let’s Play Hockey
*includes press releases form conferences
Big Ten
The 13th season of Big Ten Hockey begins this weekend with six teams in action. No. 5/5 Penn State, coming off a Frozen Four appearance, travels to No. 14/14 Arizona State for a series that will be carried by the NHL Network and streamed on NHL YouTube. No. 8/7 Minnesota opens at home, taking on rv/- Michigan Tech while No. 12/12 Michigan plays host to Mercyhurst. No. 20/19 Wisconsin hits the road for two games at Lindenwood. In exhibition action, No. 3/3 Michigan State entertains Windsor and rv/rv Notre Dame meets the U.S. National Team Development Program. No. 16/17 Ohio State starts its season next week.
• The early season schedule will consist of nonconference dates before conference games begin Oct. 30-31. Michigan State is favored to win its third-straight regular season championship based on the coaches’ preseason poll released on Sept. 25. Penn State earned the second-most votes and 2025 Big Ten co-champion Minnesota placed third in voting. Michigan (fourth), Wisconsin (fifth), Ohio State (sixth) and Notre Dame (seventh) rounded out the poll. Coaches also voted the following players to the preseason all-conference first team:
F Cole Knuble, Jr., ND D Matt Basgall, Sr., MSU
F Aiden Fink, Jr., PSU D Mac Gadowsky, Jr., PSU
F Quinn Finley, Jr., WIS G Trey Augustine, So., MSU
• College hockey figures to be in the spotlight this season due to a rule change last year that made Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players eligible to play college hockey. As a result, several CHL standouts are now skating in the Big Ten. Penn State signed Gavin McKenna, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, to join Jackson Smith, selected 14th overall by Columbus in 2025. Michigan State landed Cayden Lindstrom, who went fourth overall to Columbus in 2024 and Porter Martone, the sixth pick overall (Philadelphia) in 2025. In addition, Michigan signed 2025 second-round picks Malcolm Spence (43rd) and Jack Ivankovic (58th) plus 2024 third-rounder Henry Mews (74th).
• The Big Ten Tournament will have a different look in 2026, being shortened from three weeks to two weeks. The quarterfinals, previously played as best-of-three series over a weekend, will now be single-elimination games played on Wednesday (March 11) to open the tournament. Single-elimination semifinals and the ensuring championship game will be played on consecutive Saturdays on March 14 and March 21 at campus sites. As in past years, the tournament champion receives the conference’s automatic berth into the NCAA postseason.
• Change is coming to the NCAA Tournament as well, specifically with the selection criteria used in determining the field. The NCAA Percentage Index (NPI) will replace the Pairwise, a rankings system that had been in use for years. Among the items NPI takes into consideration are winning percentage, strength of schedule, quality wins, and overtime contests.
Here is a team-by-team look:
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Season Outlook: The Maroon and Gold fell to the University of Massachusetts in the first round of the NCAA Fargo Regional in overtime by a score of 5-4 . The “U” returns their top-three scorers Brody Lamb (Byron, Minn./Dodge County), Brodie Ziemer (Chaska, Minn./Shattuck St. Mary’s) and Jimmy Clark (Edina, Minn./Edina). Following the losses of Oliver Moore (Chicago Blackhawks), Sam Rinzel (Chicago Blackhawks) and Jimmy Snuggerud (St. Louis Blues) to the NHL, the offense is still alive, the powerplay line of Clark, Lamb and Ziemer combined for 71 points a season ago. The Gophers open up the 2025-26 campaign at home against Michigan Tech. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m
2024-25 Record: 25-11-4 (15-6-3 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Bob Motzko
Top Returners: Brody Lamb (17-9-26), Brodie Ziemer (12-11-23), Jimmy Clark (5-17-22)
Michigan State Spartans
Season Outlook: Michigan State advanced to the NCAA Tournament ending the season via a 4-3 loss to Cornell in Toledo, Ohio. Despite the Spartans losing Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Isaac Howard who signed an entry level deal with the Edmonton Oilers, the Green and White return Charlie Stramel (Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount), Matt Basgall and Daniel Russell. Adam Nightingale’s squad is poised to make a Big Ten Tournament run and an eventual NCAA Tournament appearance.
2024-25 Record: 26-7-4 (15-5-4 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Adam Nightingale
Top Returners: Charlie Stramel (9-18-27), Matt Basgall (6-20-26), Daniel Russell (13-12-25)
Michigan Wolverines
Season Outlook: The Maize and Blue advanced to the fourth Frozen Four appearance in the past three years(2022-2024). Head coach Brandon Naurato enters his fourth season at the helm as the Wolverines return three of five top six forwards from last season’s team. Josh Eernisse (Eagan, Minn./Eastview) will look to continue bringing his physical presence alongside Hughes, Hage and Schifsky. Michigan fell to Penn State in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament.
2024-25 Record: 18-15-3 (12-10-2 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Brandon Naurato
Top Returners: TJ Hughes (15-23-38), Michael Hage (13-21-34), Garrett Schifsky (11-11-22)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Season Outlook:
Ohio State returns three of its top six point getters in 2025. The Scarlet and Grey will look to return to the NCAA tournament for a second straight season. In net, the Buckeyes bring in newcomers Sam Hilebrandt and Dawson Labre. The top three scores combined for 92 total points (Thompson, Burnside and Montes). Going into this season, Steve Rohlik posts an all-time record of 221-177-45.
2024-25 Record: 24-14-2 (14-9-1 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Steve Rohlik
Top Returners: Riley Thompson (17-16-33), Davis Burnside (14-19-33), Max Montes (14-12-26).
Penn State Nittany Lions
Season Outlook: Penn State had a stellar season as the Nittany Lions advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four where they eventually fell to No. 3 (nationally-ranked) Boston University by a score of 3-1. PSU fans will be looking forward to the arrival of Gavin McKenna who is predicted to be the a top selection in the 2026 National Hockey League (NHL) draft. Penn State returns 103 points from top six forwards. McKenna tallied 176 points in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
2024-25 Record: 22-14-4 (9-11-4 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Guy Gadowsky
Top Returners: Aiden Fink (23-30-53), Reese Laubach (15-15-30), Dane Dowiak (12-8-20)
Wisconsin Badgers
Season Outlook: Wisconsin put together a below average season a season ago as the Badgers fell to Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Mike Hastings’ squad brings back 91 points from their top-six forwards. This included Quinn Finley, Gavin Morissey, and Kyle Kukkonen (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove). Wisconsin opens up the 2025-26 campaign against Lindenwood on Oct. 3.
2024-25 Record: 13-21-3 (7-16-1 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Mike Hastings
Top Returners: Quinn Finley (20-20-40), Gavin Morrissey (9-23-32), Kyle Kukkonen (10-9-19)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Season Outlook: Notre Dame concluded the Jeff Jackson era with a loss in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament to Michigan State. The Irish will open up the season inside Mullet Arena when the Navy, Green and Gold travel to face Arizona State in the 2025 Icebreaker Tournament on Oct. 10. The Fighting Irish return 86 total points from Cole Knuble, Danny Nelson (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) and Axel Kumlin. Brock Sheahan will open his first season in South Bend. Sheahan previously spent time in the American Hockey League (Chicago Wolves) and United States Hockey League (Chicago Steel).
2024-25 Record: 12-25-1 (4-19-1 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Brock Sheahan
Top Returners: Cole Knuble (12-27-39), Danny Nelson (13-13-26), Axel Kumlin (6-15-21)
NCHC
Arizona State Sun Devils
Season Outlook: Arizona State concluded the 2024-25 season in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Semifinal as the Sun Devils fell to the No. 3 nationally ranked Denver Pioneers. ASU returns 89 points from Bennett Schimek, Kyle Smolen and Cullen Potter. They will open up the 2025-26 campaign inside of newly renovated Mullet Arena against a speedy Penn State Squad on Oct. 3.
Head Coach: Greg Powers
2024-25 Record: 21-14-2 (16-10-1 NCHC)
Top Returners: Bennett Schimek (15-22-37), Kyle Smolen (12-18-30), Cullen Potter (13-9-22)
Colorado College Tigers
Season Outlook: Colorado College finished a very below average season sitting at .500 just ahead of Minnesota Duluth in the NCHC Standings. The Tigers finished the season falling in the NCHC quarterfinal round (Best of three) against the No. 3 nationally ranked Denver Pioneers. Kris Mayotte’s squad will open up against No. 10 nationally-ranked UCONN on Oct. 3 inside Ed Robson Arena. CC retains 74 points from Owen Beckner, Max Burkholder and Bret Link.
Head Coach: Kris Mayotte
2024-25 Record: 18-18-1 (11-12-1 NCHC)
Top Returners: Owen Beckner (7-20-27), Max Burkholder (6-20-26), Bret Link (7-14-21)
Denver Pioneers
Season Outlook: Denver fell to No. 1 nationally-ranked Western Michigan in the National Semifinals at the 2025 NCAA Frozen Four in St. Louis hosted at the Enterprise Center (Home of the St. Louis Blues). David Carle’s squad lost the likes of Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild), Jack Devine and Carter King but return 89 points of offense courtesy of Sam Harris, Eric Pohlkamp and Boston Buckberger. The Pioneers open the new season with an exhibition contest against UNLV (Oct. 4, 6 p.m. M.T) before taking on the Air Force Academy Falcons of Atlantic Hockey for the official opener on October. 10 in Colorado Spring, Colo.
Head Coach: David Carle
2024-25 Record: 31-12-1 (15-8-1 NCHC)
Top Returners: Sam Harris (23-12-35), Eric Pohlkamp (11-24-24), Boston Buckberger (9-21-30)
Miami (OH) Redhawks
Season Outlook: Miami of Ohio finished at the bottom of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) with only three total wins. The Redhawks concluded the year with a 5-2 defeat against the eventual national champion Western Michigan who was the No. 4 nationally ranked team as of Mar. 8. Miami (OH) opens 2025 against Ferris State of the CCHA (Oct. 3). Although Anthony Norren’s squad is rebuilding, the Redhawks retain 19 points from three of their top-six forwards. This includes Casper Nassen, Blake Mesenberg and Brayden Morrison.
Head Coach: Anthony Noreen
2024-25 Record: 3-28-3 (0-23-1 NCHC)
Top Returners: Casper Nassen (6-4-10), Blake Mesenberg (4-3-7), Brayden Morrison (0-2-2)
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
Season Outlook: Minnesota Duluth finished below .500 a season ago. The Bulldogs ended 2024-25 with a 6-5 loss against the Arizona State Sun Devils (Mar. 15) inside Mullet Arena. UMD opens the 2025-26 campaign with a trip to Fairbanks where they will collide with the Nanooks (Oct. 3) inside the Carlson Center with puck drop set for 10 p.m. The Dogs’ return Minnesota natives Max Plante (Hermantown, Minn./USNDTP), Jayson Shaugabay (Warroad, Minn./Green Bay Gamblers/USHL) and Aaron Pionk (Hermantown, Minn./Waterloo/USHL) who combined for 80 total points.
Head Coach: Scott Sandelin
2024-25 Record: 13-20-3 (9-13-2 NCHC)
Top Returners: Max Plante (9-19-28), Jayson Shaugabay (12-14-26), Aaron Pionk (3-23-26)
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Season Outlook: North Dakota finished the season fell to the eventual national champion and No. 1 nationally ranked Western Michigan in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Semifinal by a score of 4-2 at Xcel Energy Center (now known as Grand Casino Arena) in St. Paul, Minn. UND will look to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2021-22 season when the Fighting Hawks fell to No. 3 nationally ranked Notre Dame in the Albany, N.Y. regional by a score of 2-1 in overtime. The Green and Black return 70 total points from forwards Jack Livanavage, Abram Wiebe and Mac Swanson. North Dakota opens the new campaign in front of the raucous crowd at Ralph Engelstad Arena (Oct. 10) for a series against the St. Thomas Tommies of the CCHA.
Head Coach: Dane Jackson
2024-25 Record: 25-15-2 (14-9-1 NCHC)
Top Returners: Jake Livanavage (4-24-28), Abram Wiebe (4-20-24), Mac Swanson (2-16-18)
Omaha Mavericks
Season Outlook: Omaha finished 2024-25 with a NCHC Frozen Faceoff loss against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Omaha will look to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2023-24 campaign when they fell to the No. 7 nationally ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Sioux Falls Regional by a score of 3-2. The Red and Black return a plethora of offensive threats which includes former Bloomington Jefferson Jaguar Tyler Rollwagen, leading point getter Cameron Mitchell and Jacob Guevin. The trio combined for 55 total points. Omaha opens up the new season against the Air Force Falcons inside Kemp Ice at Baxter Arena (Oct. 3) as part of Military Appreciation Night.
Head Coach: Mike Gabinet
2024-25 Record: 18-17-1 (14-9-1 NCHC)
Top Returners: Cameron Mitchell (8-12-20), Jacob Guevin (7-13-20), Tyler Rollwagen (3-12-15)
St Cloud State Huskies
Season Outlook: St Cloud State ended its season with a NCHC Tournament loss to No. 3 nationally ranked Western Michigan inside Lawson Arena by a score of 6-2 (Mar. 15). The Huskies will look to break a postseason drought where SCSU hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since the 2022-23 campaign where they fell to the No. 1 nationally ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Huskies return 72 points of offense. This includes former Gentry Academy standout and Mr Hockey Finalist Barrett Hall (Apple Valley, Minn./Green Bay/USHL), Austin Burnevik and Tyson Gross. SCSU opens up the new season against Augustana of the Central Collegiate Hockey Conference (CCHA) inside the Herb Brooks Center (Oct. 3). Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.
Head Coach: Brett Larson
2024-25 Record: 14-21-1 (7-16-1 NCHC)
Top Returners: Austin Burnevik (13-13-26), Tyson Gross (8-16-24), Barrett Hall (7-15-22)
Western Michigan Broncos
Season Outlook: Western Michigan will look to repeat a special season where they were crowned National Champions. The last National Championship came from the WMU Cross Country team in the mid-90’s. Western Michigan defeated No. 3 nationally ranked Boston University 6-2 to claim the natty. The banner season features a trio of returners including former Warroad Warrior Grant Slukynksy (Warroad, Minn./Northern Michigan/CCHA), Owen Michaels and Liam Valente who combined for 105 total points. The incoming class will also center around former Edina Hornet Bobby Cowan who originally was committed to the University of St. Thomas. WMU opens the 2025-26 season against Ferris State of the Central Collegiate Hockey Conference (CCHA) inside Lawson Arena (Oct. 9). Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Pat Ferschweiler
2024-25 Record: 34-7-1 (19-4-1 NCHC)
Top Returners: Owen Michaels (18-18-36), Grant Slukynsky (10-26-36), Liam Valente (14-19-33)
CCHA
(courtesy of www.ccha.com)
Eight CCHA teams are in action this weekend as the 2025-26 season gets underway. Michigan Tech heads to No. 8 Minnesota for a two-game, while Northern Michigan visits No. 15 UMass for a pair. Bemidji State flies north to take on Alaska Anchorage, with Lake Superior State traveling east to face Stonehill. Ferris State renews its rivalry at Miami and No. 19 St. Thomas battles St. Cloud State for a single game on Saturday.
In exhibition action, Augustana takes on the Huskies on Friday night, before Bowling Green welcomes Robert Morris to town on Saturday.
On of this weekend’s contests will be available on CCHA TV, by visiting midcosports.com/ccha (Select MSP2). Four can be seen on NCHC.tv, while four series can be seen on YouTube, ESPN+, B1G+ and NEC Front Row.
Notable Links: CCHA Schedule
- Live Scores & Results
- Standings
- Player & Team Stats
- CCHA TV Highlights
- The CCHA Show (on Apple & Spotify)
- CCHA News Headlines
- CCHA Merchandise Store
Exhibition: Augustana at St. Cloud State
Day/Time: Friday (6pm CT)
Video Stream: NCHC.tv
Radio: SCSU 99.3 FM
Live Stats: Click Here
The Vikings head to St. Cloud State for an exhibition matchup with the Huskies on Friday night for their only action of the weekend. SCSU took both games for a home series last year by scores of 4-3 and 2-1 in mid-October. Augustana, which opened last year with an impressive 4-1 exhibition victory at North Dakota, will look to do the same in 2025-26 against the Huskies.
Michigan Tech (0-0-0) at No. 8 Minnesota (0-0-0)
Day/Time: Friday (7pm CT) & Saturday (7pm CT)
TV: Fox 9
Video Stream: B1G+
Radio: MTU 93.5 FM
Live Stats: Click Here
Michigan Tech returns to 3M Arena at Mariucci this weekend, to face its former WCHA foe and nationally eighth-ranked Minnesota. The Gophers own a 175-77-15 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to 1922. Tech’s last victory in Minneapolis came on Dec. 9, 2011 – a 3-2 overtime win. First-year head coach Bill Muckalt makes his Huskies debut on Friday, becoming the 23rd bench boss in program history.
Bemidji State (0-0-0) at Alaska Anchorage (0-0-0)
Day/Time: Friday (10pm CT) & Saturday (8pm CT)
Video Stream: YouTube (FREE)
Radio: BSU 92.1 FM
Live Stats: Click Here
The Beavers make the long voyage to Anchorage, Alaska, to take on the Seawolves this weekend, opening up the 70th season BSU hockey and its 27th at the Division I level. Bemidji State owns an 18-3-5 record against Alaska Anchorage, dating back to 2010. The two teams last met in 2020, with the Beavers coming away with a 4-1 win and a shootout victory after a 2-2 tie.
Lake Superior State (0-0-0) at Stonehill (0-0-0)
Day/Time: Saturday (4:30pm ET) & Sunday (3pm ET)
Video Stream: NEC Front Row
Radio: LSSU 99.5 FM
Live Stats: Click Here
The Lakers visit Stonehill for the first time in program history and their first opening weekend outside the state of Michigan since 2021-22. Lake Superior State split with the Skyhawks last season at Taffy Abel Arena, falling 4-1 in the series opener, before responding with a 3-0 shutout win. Rorke Applebee stopped all 35 shots he faced for his first collegiate shutout in that contest.
No. 19 St. Thomas (0-0-0) at St. Cloud State (0-0-0)
Day/Time: Saturday (6:07pm CT)
Video Stream: NCHC.tv
Radio: UST AM 1500
Live Stats: Click Here
St. Thomas visits St. Cloud State for a single game on Saturday night, with the two teams returning to St. Paul later in the season. The Tommies, who are ranked in a preseason poll for the first time, are looking for their second road win of the Huskies and first since a thrilling 5-4 OT triumph on October 7, 2023. SCSU won both meetings last season by a combined 3-1 score, including a 1-0 win in Mendota Heights to open the 2024-25 schedule.
Ferris State (0-0-0) at Miami (0-0-0)
Day/Time: Saturday (7:05pm ET) & Sunday (6:05pm ET)
Video Stream: NCHC.tv
Radio: FSU 97.3 FM
Live Stats: Click Here
The Bulldogs and RedHawks open their fifth straight season by facing off against one-another, with the two teams tying both matchups last year. Ferris State claimed exhibition shootout wins in both contests. Under first-year head coach Brett Riley, the ‘Dogs look to extend their unbeaten streak on opening nights to four years, having last suffered defeat on October 2, 2021 against Miami. The former CCHA foes have met 114 times dating back to 1979.
Exhibition: Robert Morris at Bowling Green
Day/Time: Saturday (6:07pm ET)
Video Stream: Midco Sports Plus
Radio: BGSU 88.1 FM
Live Stats: Click Here
The Colonials visit Bowling Green in an exhibition matchup for the second year in a row, with the Falcons claiming a 7-2 victory last year. In regular season play, BGSU owns a 6-2-1 record, including a split in 2023-24, which included a 3-0 shutout each way, in Pittsburgh. In last year’s meeting, Ryan O’Hara scored twice and Cole Moore made 23 saves at Slater Family Ice Arena.
Northern Michigan (0-0-0) at No. 15 Massachusetts (0-0-0)
Day/Time: Saturday (7:30pm ET) & Sunday (4pm ET)
Video Stream: ESPN+
Radio: NMU 100.3 FM
The Wildcats visit No. 15 UMass for the first time in program history this Saturday and Sunday to open the 2025-26 season. The Wildcats are 1-0 in the all-time series, have blanked the Minutemen, 3-0, on December 29, 1999, in Minneapolis during the Mariucci Classic. NMU, which is in its second year under head coach Dave Shyiak, faces three ranked teams to begin the season, including road trips to Amherst and Columbus to face No. 16 Ohio State.
