The 2026-27 college hockey season commences this weekend as five Big Ten schools take part in non-conference and exhibition action.
No. 2/2 Michigan, which advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four last season, opens with a home-and-home series versus Bowling Green.
No. 6/6 Wisconsin takes on Robert Morris of Atlantic Hockey. The Badgers are coming off a national runner-up finish under Head Coach Mike Hastings, now in his third season in Madison.
No. 14/18 Minnesota hits the road to meet a ranked opponent in No. 19/20 Michigan Tech. In exhibition play, No. 3/3 Michigan State plays host to No. 12/12 Boston College on Friday and Notre Dame entertains the U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP) and Toronto at the Compton Family Ice Arena.
Michigan is favored to win the 2026-27 Big Ten Championship according to the Big Ten Hockey Coaches Preseason Poll. The Wolverines top the poll for the second time in program history, having last been tabbed favorites in 2015-16. Michigan State, which has won three-straight Big Ten Championships, was picked second and Wisconsin chosen third. Minnesota, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Penn State round out the poll.
Big Ten head coaches also recently selected preseason All-Big Ten Teams. Michigan’s Michael Hage was a unanimous selection to the first team.
Preseason All-Big Ten, First Team
F – Michael Hage, Jr., Michigan
F – Brodie Ziemer, Jr., Minnesota
F – Danny Nelson, Sr., Notre Dame
D – Landon DuPont, Fr., Michigan
D – Luke Osburn, So., Wisconsin
G – Jack Ivankovic, So., Michigan
Preseason All-Big Ten, Second Team
F – Jayden Perron, Sr., Michigan
F – Ryker Lee, So., Michigan State
F – Gavin Morrissey, Jr., Wisconsin
D – Evan Murr, Sr., Minnesota
D – Jackson Smith, So., Penn State
G – Luca Di Pasquo, Sr., Minnesota
The National Hockey League’s 2026-27 campaign opens tonight with 68 former Big Ten players filling roster spots. A complete list is available on page 5 of the attached PDF release.
Wisconsin and Michigan will participate in outdoor games this season. Wisconsin will host Michigan at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Feb. 20. Michigan also faces Western Michigan at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Jan. 30. Wisconsin played at Lambeau (against Ohio State) in 2006 drawing 40,890 spectators. The Wolverines and Broncos previously played outdoors at the 2018 Great Lakes Invitational at Comerica Park.
