More than a decade after the radical revamping of college hockey conferences, those who hate the changes are quick to point out that the last national men’s hockey championship won by a Big Ten team was by Michigan State (then-members) in 2007. former CCHA) St. upset Boston College in St. Louis.

With the NCAA Frozen Four returning to within walking distance of the Gateway Arch in April 2025 and the Big Ten loaded with talent, optimists say this could be the year they bring the game’s biggest trophy back to East Lansing, Minneapolis or elsewhere This is the track of the seven-team conglomerate. As conference play begins in earnest this weekend, here’s a top-to-bottom look at B1G hockey in the order they were selected in the annual preseason coaches poll:

Michigan State

Last season: First in Big Ten, 25-10-3 overall, 16-6-2 in Big Ten

In many ways, 2024 was a dream season for the Spartans, who were a Big Ten doormat for a decade before the arrival of coach Adam Nightingale in 2022, breathing new life into the MSU program. They won the conference regular season and tournament championships last March, but their season ended in the worst way a Spartan fan could imagine: a regional defeat to NCAA archrival Michigan. With tons of offensive talent and the return of the league’s best goaltender in Red Wings top prospect Trey Augustine, they will return to St. Louis in April. Returning to St. Louis with two wins should be enough for hungry hockey fans in East Lansing.

Minnesota

Last season: Third in Big Ten, 23-11-5 overall, 13-7-4 in Big Ten

There is no banner from last season hanging at 3M Arena at Mariucci, when Bob Motzko was running as coach of the Gophers. After three straight years with a Big Ten title, Minnesota fell one game short of the Frozen Four this past March. But the coach said the defense is the deepest on his roster, and in October the Minnesota offense scored at a remarkable pace with a mix of familiar faces and new players like Matthew Wood, the Predators’ first-round pick. from UConn in the transfer portal. After falling just short of an NCAA title in 2023, many believe this is the team that will get Motzko his first ring.

Michigan

Last season: Fourth in Big Ten, 23-15-3 overall, 11-11-2 in Big Ten

There were 26 former Wolverines on the NHL’s opening day rosters, which was a good thing for maize and blue fans. The bad news is that Rutger McGroarty was included on this list after signing with Pittsburgh in late August, where he was expected to lead Ann Arbor’s Michigan offense. Never short on talent, the Wolverines got off to a hot start with rookie Michael Hage, the Canadiens’ first-rounder, who had seven points in his first six games. If goaltending, currently split between rookie Cameron Korpi and Ferris State transfer Logan Stein, can keep Michigan in games, a fourth straight Frozen Four trip would be in play.

Wisconsin

Last season: Second in Big Ten, 26-12-2 overall, 16-7-1 in Big Ten

As the opening scenes go, Mike Hastings’ debut as coach was nearly flawless last season. Coming to Wisconsin after a decade of success at Minnesota State Mankato, Hastings returned the Badgers to the college hockey consciousness. In their first two months on the job, they topped the national polls and fell one win short of the Big Ten championship. But year two has been a struggle so far; Wisconsin is off to a 1-5-0 start; This included being swept by Ohio State in Madison in the conference opener for both teams. Hastings’ style has always prioritized defense, so perhaps these are only growing problems as he implements his system in Madison.

Notre-Dame

Last season: Fifth in Big Ten, 15-19-2 overall, 9-13-2 in Big Ten

A storybook ending would see Irish coach Jeff Jackson hang up the whistle in April after another run to the Frozen Four and a third NCAA title on his resume. For that to happen, it will require masterful coaching from Jackson, who announced over the summer that this season would be his last. Known for their defensive style, the Irish have a true offensive star in Cole Knuble, who put up 10 points in his first six games this season after a slower-than-expected rookie season a year ago. The biggest challenge is in goal, where Mercyhurst transfer Owen Say and freshman Nicholas Kempf are vying to replace star puck stopper Ryan Bischel.

Penn State

Last season: Sixth in Big Ten, 15-18-3 overall, 7-14-3 in Big Ten

The Nittany Lions traveled across the continent in October, sweeping a series in Alaska, suffering their only loss at Quinnipiac in Connecticut and beating St. Louis in Hockey Valley last weekend. He comes to Minnesota for the conference opener this weekend having won a pair against Lawrence. It’s no surprise to see Big Ten all-rookie tackle Aiden Fink and diminutive powerhouse Danny Dzhaniyev lead the Lions’ first-ranked offense. Perhaps less expected was a hot start in goal from Arsenii Sergeev, who arrived at Penn State via the transfer portal after putting up good if not great numbers the past two seasons at UConn.

Ohio State

Last season: Seventh in Big Ten, 14-20-4 overall, 4-18-2 in Big Ten

Last season could be described as a complete start-up failure for the Buckeyes, who never recovered after winning just two of their first 10 conference games. But the playoff loss at Wisconsin provided some optimism heading into the summer, and Ohio State went 5-0-1 in October, which included defeating the Badgers in Madison. Buckeyes coach Steve Rohlik has two defensemen who came to Columbus via the transfer portal to lead his offense so far and have a Big Ten rarity in scoring experience. The duo of Logan Terness and Kristoffer Eberly have closed the gap so far and will be key for the Buckeyes to defy expectations.

First Publication Date: October 31, 2024 13:21 CDT