Craziest College Hockey Season In Decades Is Ahead Of Us

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The hype heading into this college season is unlike anything I have ever seen. From the changes that allow CHL players to come play NCAA hockey, which led to guys like Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone making the jump, to how crazy the transfer portal has gotten with big names like Sasha Boisvert, Jayden Perron and Mac Gadowski switching schools. It seems there are more eyes than ever on college hockey and that starts tonight, with the NHL network airing the weekend series between Penn State and Arizona State (two schools that were club hockey programs 20 years ago).

As we head into the season, I want to highlight a few names and teams to keep an eye out for, along with my weekly top 10 and season predictions. 

First, lets start with the top-10

1. Michigan State

2. Western Michigan

3. Boston University

4. Penn State

5. Boston College

6. Maine

7. UConn

8. Michigan

9. Denver

10. Minnesota

Teams to keep an eye out for:

Penn State

There may be more eyes on the Penn State hockey team this year than any time in college hockey history. With the NHL Network airing their first two games, the outdoor game this season at Beaver Stadium, Penn State hockey are the official headline hogs of college hockey. Mind you, outside of all the big transfers and new players…they still have a really, really good team returning from last season. A team not known to have a ton of NHL draft picks on their roster, is loaded this season with seven guys who have been drafted. Including one of the top players in college hockey last season in Aiden Fink and 1st round draft pick and 6’4’’ dman Jackson Smith. I do wonder about goaltending. Sergeev is gone and they only have a freshman, sophomore (transfer from Omaha) and an ACHA goalie (so sick, shoutout to this kid) on the roster. And lastly, Gavin McKenna. McKenna is the highest rated prospect to play college hockey since Jack Eichel and if his season goes anything like Eichel’s freshmen year, the Nittany Lions will be laughing their way to the Frozen Four. 

Maine

I truly believe that Maine head coach Ben Barr is the best in the country. From recruiting, to team building, to x’s and o’s, I think the Black Bears biggest advantage is their Head Coach. Players want to play for Barr and players want to play at the new and improved Alfond Arena in front of some of the craziest fans in college hockey. Former BC Eagle Will Smith once joined Spittin' Chiclets and said there is no rink tougher to play in than Alfond Arena. The team unveiled their new renovations last week and they certainly did not disappoint and will be getting a visit from the ChicletsU crew very soon. As for the actual team, I love Albin Boija, Maine’s goalie from Sweden. In 32 games last season had a 1.82 GAA and .928 sv%. Add in the return of Josh Nadeau and the addition of NHL draft picks Miguel Marques and Jaden Lipinski, I think the Black Bears are set for a deep tournament run. 

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UConn

Mike Cavanaugh is building something special in Storrs. It started with the brand new $70 Million Toscano Family Ice Arena  on Campus in 2023 and last season they were one period away from the Frozen Four. The biggest question for the Huskies heading into this season will be in goal after losing Callum Tung to the Rangers. Who will take over as the No. 1 tendy in Storrs? Likely Florida Panthers draft pick Tyler Muszelik. I am most excited to see Joey Muldowney this season, who was 2nd in the NCAA in goals last season with 29. The San Jose Sharks draft pick returned for his junior season this year, despite having every opportunity to turn pro and get NHL time, with the hopes of getting the Huskies to Vegas for the Frozen Four. Another name to keep an eye out for is Buffalo Sabres draft pick and Muldowney's linemate, Jake Richard who finished last season with 43 points in 34 games. 

North Dakota (ranked just outside top-10)

It’s a new day and age for the Fighting Sioux in Grand Forks, with new Head Coach Dane Jackson leading his first season behind the bench as UND’s new bench boss. And while everyone is talking about Gavin McKenna, make sure to keep an eye on defenseman Keaton Verhoeff. The 6’4’’ freshman has taken his talents to North Dakota after spending the past two season with the Victoria Royals in the WHL. Scouts are saying that any other year, Verhoeff is the easy No. 1 pick in this upcoming NHL draft. But a talent like Gavin McKenna changes everything. With 12 NHL draft picks on the roster, which includes Bruins prospect & the leading goal scorer in the USHL last season Will Zellers as well as Cole Reschny, The 2025 18th overall selection by the Calgary Flames who had 92 points in 62 games last season in Victoria, there will be some elite hockey played at the Ralph this season.

Hobey Watch:

James Hagens - Boston College

James Hagens is out for revenge this season. After coming into last season with incredibly high expectations and falling lower than he wanted in the draft, Hagens is on a revenge tour. According to the 18-year-old, he gained gained 20lbs of muscle this summer, some much needed size for the undersized forward. Playing alongside Predators draft pick Teddy Stiga (and like 10000 other Bruins draft picks) I expect Hagens to light up the hockey east this year. People forget Hagens went to school a year early and started last season as a 17-year-old, so I believe the added maturity & weight will make a huge difference. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if Hagens leads the NCAA in points this year.

Sasha Boisvert - Boston University

I’m not sure there is a player I am more excited to watch this season than 2024 Chicago Blackhawks 1st round pick Sasha Boisvert. The 19-year-old transfer from North Dakota will be playing alongside Cole Eiserman and Ryder Ritcher on the Terriers top line. Boisvert can definitely put the puck in the net, scoring 18 goals last season, but I expect him to lead the NCAA in assists this season playing alongside one of the best natural scorers in the country in Cole Eiserman.

Charlie Cerrato + Gavin McKenna + Aiden Fink - Penn State

It was virtually impossible to pick just one of these guys, but these three are going to have some fun this year in the BigTen. Gavin McKenna goes without saying. Penn State has a pretty easy schedule to start the season, which i think is super important to get McKenna acclimated to the college game. Players are bigger, older, and stronger in the NCAA as opposed to the CHL Charlie Cerrato & Aiden Fink were both over PPG players last season and I expect nothing less than the same. Two absolute stallions who should both benefit from all the talent added to the roster.

Trey Augustine - Michigan State

He’s the best goalie in the country. He’s the most valuable player to his team in the country. Frankly, he’s the best overall player in the country. Not much more really needs to be said. Trey Augustine's work has spoken for itself. The kid is still 20 years old and has accomplished so much at the international level, and I expect the same level of elite play this season. The Red Wings have an absolute brick wall coming their way. Last season he finished with a 2.08 GAA with a 9.24 SV% and I expect better numbers this season.

Cole Hutson - Boston University

Tough to have a players to watch list without Cole Hutson. The sophomore defenseman is back for year two at BU after a 48point campaign last season. Just an electric hockey player at both ends of the ice. BU is loaded with high end talent. They may convert on every single power play this year. I feel bad for the guys who get stuck penalty killing against them. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if Hutson leads the Terriers to an incredible season and we see him sitting at the Hobey ceremony in Vegas. 

Joey Muldowney - UConn

Muldowney was 2nd in the nation last season with 29 goals and outside of Hudson Schandor, the Huskies are returning a good majority of their team that was a goal away from the Frozen Four last season. Muldowney has one of the best shots in college hockey. Keep an eye on this kid this season, because there is no doubt the second his season ends the San Jose Sharks will have him on the first flight out to be playing NHL games.

Michael Hage - Michigan

The 2024 Montreal Canadiens 1st round draft pick ended up finishing the season with 34 points in 33 games and really seemed to find his stride towards the latter half of the season. I think this kid is going to make a ton of money playing hockey and he will show that this season on the top line at Michigan. Add in the fact Michigan just added Max Pacioretty to their staff, I think the former Hab is the perfect guy to help Hage complete his game. The Blue and Maize also got a massive transfer in Jayden Perron from North Dakota. Expect the Hurricanes draft pick to put up more than the 18 points he put up last season. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Head Coach Brandon Naurato. One word comes to mind when I think of Michigans Head Coach….DOG. This guy is an animal. Players love him. Coaches want to be him. He is one of the best in the game and provides and advantage for the Wolverines every single night he is behind the bench. 

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G Winner: Trey Augustine

Michigan State is loaded and will be able to give Trey all the scoring help he needs. I think he has a record breaking year and wins the Hobey handedly.

Murls Winner: Trey Augustine

Dates To Remember:

Date: 1.31.26 

Location: Beaver Stadium

PSU vs MSU 

Frozen Four: 

Location: Las Vegas, NV

4/9 & 4/11

Beanpot Tournament

Location: Boston, Ma

2/2 & 2/9

Frozen Four Prediction:

- Penn State

- Michigan State

- Maine

- Boston College

G Winner: Michigan State

Murls Winner: Maine

Call me crazy, but I think this is the year the Michigan State Spartans get it done for the first time since 2017. They are just loaded, top to bottom. At the end of the day, we see it every year, you can have all the top prospects in the world but what really matters in the tournament and Frozen Four is defense and goaltending and no one has a better goalie this season than Bob Knighindale and the Michigan State Spartans. 

I think Boston College has all the pieces to make a run except i'm worried about the goalie position. That has been Jacob Fowler's net for the past two seasons and the Eagles have two goalies who have never started an NCAA game before and one goalie who has played 7 games over 2 seasons. If they can get some saves up at Chestnut Hill, I think there is no question the Eagles make the Frozen Four, but that is a giant IF. 

I feel like some people may be thinking….no BU? Jay Pandolfo and the Terriers are a lock to make it every year. And while I do think BU is going to be one of the best teams in the country all season, they are young, real young. If i’m not mistaken, they are expected to be the youngest team in the country this season. You know who wins the tournament? Big old 23 and 24-year-olds who are applying for AARP in between periods. I am very high on Boston University, but with an average age of around 19 years old, the tournament is going to be tough. This team is going to be so good though.