The NCAA could push its five-year eligibility proposal through the legislative process next month by categorizing the change as “emergency legislation.” What would that mean for current and future college hockey players?

Plus, a look inside what some players are being told about a fifth year — and their potential options when it comes to entering the portal.

Also in today’s issue:

• The latest from the transfer portal includes the official entry of Maine forward Justin Poirier. Plus, BU added two defensemen, and one of the top offensive defensemen in the portal committed to Lake Superior.

• The NCAA is also considering a “legal tampering period” when it comes to the transfer portal.

• Michigan coach Brandon Naurato is headed to the World Championships.

• A note on a potential candidate for Jeff Hamilton’s staff at Yale.

This is issue #674 of the College Hockey Insider newsletter.

Thanks for reading and being part of this community — your support truly means everything. Whether you’ve been here from the start or just joined us, we’re grateful to have you along for the ride.

If you have ideas for a future newsletter, tips to pass along, or questions for a mailbag, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me anytime at mike@collegehockeyinsider.com. Sponsorship inquiries are also welcome.

You can also find me on X at @MikeMcMahonCHN.

The NCAA is trying to push through the five-year eligibility rule next month

NCAA president Charlie Baker is pushing for the Division I cabinet to vote on the five-year eligibility rule next month as emergency legislation. If it’s approved, he wants it adopted in June.

But that’s not all.

As part of the emergency legislation, policies regarding professional involvement — both pre- and post-enrollment — are also being reviewed and could be changed.

The proposal appears to have broad support among power brokers in college athletics. The idea of the “five-in-five” model was also included in President Donald Trump’s executive order on college sports released earlier this month.

“I have had a lot of people offer me thoughts about implementation, but I haven’t had anybody say to me that this is a bad idea,” Baker said. “It makes it harder for somebody to show up at the age of 19 or 20 or 21 and claim to be a freshman after playing three years of professional sports somewhere else.”

Read more

Everyone understands the impact of last fall’s NCAA rule change regarding CHL players. With players from the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL now eligible to play NCAA hockey, the second wave of former CHL players is set to arrive on campus this fall.

The rule is also reshaping how NCAA programs approach recruiting. In fact, some coaches would like to see the timeline pushed back in an effort to standardize the recruitment of older (i.e. junior-aged) players.

Also in today’s newsletter:

• A full recap of today’s transactions in the transfer portal, including four commitments (to Stonehill, Vermont, and Maine) along with Adam Barone’s entry.

• Princeton endowed its head coaching position thanks to a donation from a group of alums.

• Omaha has re-upped its contract with Learfield.

This is issue #673 of the College Hockey Insider newsletter.

Thanks for reading and being part of this community — your support truly means everything. Whether you’ve been here from the start or just joined us, we’re grateful to have you along for the ride.

If you have ideas for a future newsletter, tips to pass along, or questions for a mailbag, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me anytime at mike@collegehockeyinsider.com. Sponsorship inquiries are also welcome.

You can also find me on X at @MikeMcMahonCHN.

How the CHL rule change might impact college hockey’s recruiting timeline

There have been plenty of ripple effects from the NCAA’s rule change on CHL players, which was instituted a little more than a year ago.

One area that hasn’t been discussed much yet is how the change might impact the college hockey recruiting calendar.

Programs are now recruiting players further along in their development than they were 18 months ago. In fact, some coaches would like to see changes to the recruiting calendar because of it.

Read more

Yale officially named Jeff Hamilton as its new head coach on Monday. Today’s newsletter has my reaction to the news, including who else was a candidate, and more.

Also in today’s newsletter:

• Full notes on today’s transactions in the transfer portal, including every entry and commitment. Plus, subscribers have a link to my portal tracker.

• Who might Alaska Anchorage target as its new head coach? We break down some of the potential candidates.

• It’s the time of year for assistant shakeups. We have notes on some expected moves and some potential moves among assistant coaches.

• Denver retained a key player for next season.

This is issue #672 of the College Hockey Insider newsletter.

Thanks for reading and being part of this community — your support truly means everything. Whether you’ve been here from the start or just joined us, we’re grateful to have you along for the ride.

If you have ideas for a future newsletter, tips to pass along, or questions for a mailbag, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me anytime at mike@collegehockeyinsider.com. Sponsorship inquiries are also welcome.

You can also find me on X at @MikeMcMahonCHN.

Yale officially hires Jeff Hamilton as its new head coach

Yale officially named Jeff Hamilton as its new head coach on Monday.

Hamilton is a Yale alum who was backed by several prominent alumni during the interview process. He had a long NHL career and has recently been coaching at the youth level in Connecticut. He’s a former Yale captain and remains the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Hamilton owns the Connecticut Junior Rangers.

“I’m honored and humbled to lead the next era of Yale men’s hockey,” Hamilton said in a release. “Thank you to Vicky [Chun], Danielle Upham, and the athletics administrative team for giving my family and me the opportunity to return to a place that has had such a profound impact on our lives,” said Hamilton.

“Building on the foundation laid by my greatest mentor, Coach Tim Taylor, and on the extraordinary success of the past decades, we will pursue excellence with the highest expectations. My staff and I are committed to elevating the student-athlete experience to the highest standard of recruiting, developing, and championing the very best in college hockey, while providing opportunities that are uniquely Yale.”

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The transfer portal has been open for almost one week, and there are exactly the same number of entries six days into the window as there were in the entire last cycle (308 players). Of those players, 147 (47.7 percent) have already announced commitments for next season.

Today’s newsletter starts with 10 thoughts on the transfer portal as we approach the halfway point of the entry window. Players have until April 27 to enter the portal. After that, they can only enter if their financial aid is cut or if their program undergoes a head coaching change.

Also in today’s issue:

• Yale is getting close to hiring a new head coach, and it appears that alum Jeff Hamilton is the favorite. Where do things stand? Who is running the search? We have some info.

• ESPN drew record numbers for the Frozen Four and the national title game last week. Plus, notes on the production elements behind the broadcast, and more.

• In our notebook, Elliotte Friedman reports that David Carle turned down $25 million from the Chicago Blackhawks last year, BC flipped a goalie commitment, Yost Ice Arena suffered some storm damage, notes on future Frozen Four sites, college hockey expansion, and more.

This is issue #670 of the College Hockey Insider newsletter.

Thanks for reading and being part of this community — your support truly means everything. Whether you’ve been here from the start or just joined us, we’re grateful to have you along for the ride.

If you have ideas for a future newsletter, tips to pass along, or questions for a mailbag, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me anytime at mike@collegehockeyinsider.com. Sponsorship inquiries are also welcome.

You can also find me on X at @MikeMcMahonCHN.

10 thoughts on the transfer portal after one week

(1) I wrote about this earlier in the week, but money is playing a bigger role in this portal cycle than any we’ve seen.

Multiple players (at least three that I know of) have told teams they were committed, only to de-commit hours later when a bigger-money offer came along. Multiple coaches told me last week that conversations with players or agents have started with, “Team X is offering $30,000.”

And as you would expect, there are a lot of “backroom deals” happening. But that has always happened. You’re never going to stop that. Several players have committed to a new school within hours of entering the portal.

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This year’s “State of the Game” featured:

• Sean Hogan, College Hockey Inc. President

• Luke Strand, Minnesota State head coach

• Steve Metcalf, Hockey East commissioner

• Tim Troville, Harvard associate AD (committee chair)

• Trevor Large, Canisius head coach

The first day of the 2026 transfer portal is finally in the books — and it delivered plenty of chaos.

In total, 273 players have entered the portal, easily the highest number ever recorded on opening day (some of those were pre-entries as grad students or coaching changes). For context, last year’s full cycle produced 308 entries, which itself set a record.

Here’s how the numbers stack up year by year:

2026 (ongoing): 273
2025: 308
2024: 294
2023: 293
2022: 247

I’ll have a more complete breakdown in a later newsletter, but with the pace of movement already this brisk, it felt necessary to get some early thoughts on paper this Tuesday morning.

In the meantime, subscribers can access the full portal tracker, with complete with rankings based on 2025–26 performance and per-60 analytics from InStat (link below the paywall), while the free page continues to update with daily entries and commitments.

A few takeaways from Day 1:

— The early surge is no surprise. This is the first year operating under a shortened transfer window, trimmed to just 15 days. In previous seasons, players had up to 40 days — and in some cases nearly two months — to make a decision. With less time to weigh options, the urgency to enter early has intensified, leading to a front-loaded wave of movement.

Historically, most entries came within the first three to five days. That trend may now be compressed even further.

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Without a doubt, this is the wildest first day of the transfer portal in its short history.

It’s 12:47 p.m. as I write this, and we’re already up to 244 entries. Last season, there were 308 total entries.

Some of that is because the window is shorter this year, so more players are jumping in right as it opens. But still, this is as hectic as we’ve ever seen it.

For now, I have Evan Murr as the top player entering the portal. Sources said he’s going to Minnesota. Other top players include Justin Poirier (Maine), Jack Stockfish (Holy Cross), and Ben Muthersbaugh (Union).

Arizona State has not entered any players into the portal as I write this. The compliance departments at the individual schools are actually the ones who enter players into the portal. However, I’m told there will be several Sun Devils entering, including Cullen Potter (who is headed to Michigan State), Brasen Boser, and Sam Court.

If you want to follow along with the entries and commitments (and you aren’t a paid newsletter subscriber), my free tracker page is here:

However, paid newsletter subscribers get access to my full tracker sheet, which I am trying to stay on top of today, but entries are coming in faster than I can update the sheet. All of the names are on there, but the stats will be input throughout the day today.

My full tracker sheet ranks players using their in-season stats plus situational analytics (per 60). It also has numbers on total entries, total commits, commit percentage, and more.

Paid newsletter subscribers will have the link below. If you want to sign up to become a paid subscriber, you can also do so by clicking below.

I’m expecting my entire day to be occupied filling up the portal tracker and sheet.

Read more

The Denver Pioneers have done it again.

For the third time in the last five seasons, and a record 11th time overall, the Pioneers defeated Wisconsin 2-1 on Saturday night to claim the national title in Las Vegas.

Denver won the game despite getting outshot 31-15. Through two games at the Frozen Four, Denver was outshot 83-41, but still managed to find a way to win both games.

The opening 20 minutes were played almost entirely on Wisconsin’s terms. The Badgers dictated possession, outshooting the Pioneers 10–2, and were rewarded at 13:36 when Vasily Zelenov broke through for the game’s first goal.

Zelenov gained the zone with speed, selling a move toward the middle before pulling the puck back to his forehand. With a subtle change of angle, he found daylight past Johnny Hicks, giving Wisconsin a 1–0 lead. The tally came moments after a Badgers power play had expired.

Special teams factored into the period, though neither side converted. Cale Ashcroft was assessed a boarding penalty prior to the opening goal, while Oliver Tulk went off just 1:49 into the game, handing Denver an early opportunity. The Pioneers, however, were unable to generate much from the man advantage.

Wisconsin continued to press after taking the lead. In the closing seconds, Aiden Dubinsky came close to doubling the margin, but Hicks held firm to keep it a one-goal game.

Chances were scarce for Denver, which managed just a single quality look in the period — turned aside calmly by Daniel Hauser.

Wisconsin’s relentless forecheck carried over seamlessly into the second period, as the Badgers continued to tilt the ice in their favor.

Early on, Montgomery flashed his release but sent a shot just over the crossbar, while Aiden Dubinsky generated another quality look moments later. That opportunity was snuffed out on the rush by a strong defensive play from Ashcroft.

Offense remained difficult to come by for the Pioneers. Denver went more than 13 minutes without recording a shot on goal, a drought that spanned periods. Sam Harris registered the team’s last shot of the first period at the 7:07 mark, and it wasn’t until 6:03 of the second that Samu Salminen finally tested Wisconsin netminder Daniel Hauser again.

In contrast, Wisconsin continued to probe and pressure, consistently challenging Johnny Hicks—particularly up high. Tassy found space in the high slot and fired through traffic, only to be denied by Hicks, who turned the chance aside with his shoulder.

The Badgers closed the period the same way they began it — on the attack. A late flurry included a final push from Jack Phelan at the buzzer, capping another dominant stretch.

Through 40 minutes, Wisconsin held a commanding 21–5 edge in shots, and still held a 1-0 lead.

Wisconsin came out for the third period intent on extending its lead, picking up right where it left off through 40 minutes.

Less than five minutes in, senior Jack Horbach capitalized on a Denver turnover and looked to beat Johnny Hicks high on the glove side. Hicks tracked it cleanly, making the stop and freezing play to steady his group.

But Denver found life on just its seventh shot of the game — and it was a turning point.

With 12:29 remaining, Kristian Epperson slid a feed to Garrett Brown at the top of the left circle for a one-timer. Rieger Lorenz, who had initiated the sequence with a tenacious forecheck to force the turnover, drove the net and buried the rebound to tie the game, 1–1.

The equalizer injected energy into the Pioneers, who began to push. A point shot moments later whistled just wide of Daniel Hauser’s net.

At the other end, Hicks delivered one of his best stops of the night. Gavin Morrissey charged in on a loose puck that ricocheted off the end boards and into the slot, but Hicks sprawled across, making the save with his left skate. The rebound rode up his chest and neck before he smothered it for a whistle.

Denver wasn’t done.

On a subsequent shift, Hauser lost his stick while sliding to his right, leaving him vulnerable as the puck worked back to the point. Boston Buckberger fired a one-timer, and freshman Kyle Chyzowski got his stick on it atop the crease, deflecting it past Hauser to give Denver a 2–1 lead.

From there, the game opened up.

Morrissey generated another chance that sailed wide, and moments later Ben Dexheimer rang a shot off the underside of the crossbar. Denver countered quickly, and Eric Jamieson drew a holding penalty on Montgomery, sending the Pioneers to the power play with 4:14 remaining.

Wisconsin’s penalty kill held firm, keeping the deficit at one. After gaining possession off a faceoff in the offensive zone, the Badgers pulled Hauser for the extra attacker.

With the net empty, Wisconsin applied sustained pressure. Dexheimer found space for a late look, but his shot drifted wide, as the Badgers searched for a final equalizer. After a series of icings, including the Badgers icing the puck with 27.8 seconds left, Denver was able to close out its 11th national championship.

Max Plante delivered a season worthy of college hockey’s highest individual honor — and on Friday night in Las Vegas, it was officially recognized.

The Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward was named the Hobey Baker Award winner at the Frozen Four, capping a dominant 2025-26 campaign. Plante finished with 52 points — 25 goals and 27 assists — in 40 games, emerging as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the country.

In doing so, Plante becomes the first sophomore to win the Hobey Baker since Cole Caufield in 2021, and the first Minnesota Duluth player to capture the award since Scott Perunovich in 2020.

But the night wasn’t just about hardware.

Moments after accepting the award, Plante revealed he will return to Minnesota Duluth for his junior season, a significant development for the Bulldogs as they look ahead to 2026-27. A second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2024 NHL Draft, Plante’s decision could have easily gone the other way. Instead, it was driven by something more personal.

He already shares the ice with his brother, Zam, and with his youngest brother, Victor, expected to join the program next season, the opportunity to play together proved too meaningful to pass up.

“[Victor coming to UMD] was a huge motivator, just the fact to have the chance to play with my two brothers at that high of a level and to try to achieve something that I haven’t achieved yet, to win the national championship,” Plante said. “That’s kind of the goal that I had coming into college hockey. Obviously, there’s a lot of work to do before we get there, but to be able to do that with not only my brothers but guys that I’ve gotten to know really well in my two years at UMD.”

Plante edged out Denver defenseman Eric Pohlkamp and Michigan forward T.J. Hughes for the award, separating himself in a field loaded with high-end talent.

The decision to return wasn’t made lightly.

“My parents gave me some great advice,” Plante said. “It’s probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I just went with my gut. I feel like this is the right thing to do. I feel like it’s what I wanted all along.”

Trey Augustine put a definitive stamp on his season Friday night, earning the Mike Richter Award at the Frozen Four as college hockey’s top goaltender.

The Michigan State netminder, who has since joined the Detroit Red Wings organization following the Spartans’ loss to Wisconsin in the regional final, finished the year with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.

According to CHN’s proprietary CHIP metric, Augustine narrowly edged UMass goaltender Michael Hrabal as the top performer between the pipes this season. He also ranked third nationally in goals saved above expected (+22.9), trailing only Lawton Zacher (Northeastern) and Josh Kotai (Augustana).

Elsewhere on awards night, Kevin Anderson of Princeton was named the recipient of the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award. The senior forward recorded five points in 33 games for the Tigers, with his impact extending well beyond the scoresheet.

Quinnipiac freshman Ethan Wyttenbach added to his breakout campaign by capturing the Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year honors. Wyttenbach led the nation in scoring with 59 points in 40 games, emerging as one of the sport’s most electrifying young talents.

The Hockey Humanitarian Award was presented to Meg Simon of Middlebury.

The AHCA All-America teams were also announced:

First Team East
G — Michael Hrabal, Jr., Massachusetts
D — Brandon Holt, Sr., Maine
D — Cole Hutson, Soph., Boston University
F — James Hagens, Soph., Boston College
F — Hayden Stavroff, Soph., Dartmouth
F — Ethan Wyttenbach, Fr., Quinnipiac

First Team West
G — Trey Augustine, Jr., Michigan State
D — Jake Livanavage, Jr., North Dakota
D — Eric Pohlkamp, Jr., Denver
F — T.J. Hughes, Sr., Michigan
F — Porter Martone, Fr., Michigan State
F — Max Plante, Soph., Minnesota Duluth

Second Team East
G — Lawton Zacher, Jr., Northeastern
D — Tyler Dunbar, Jr., Union
D — Chris Hedden, Sr., Air Force
F — Dylan Hryckowian, Jr., Northeastern
F — Jack Musa, Jr., Massachusetts
F — Felix Trudeau, Sr., Sacred Heart

Second Team West
G — Josh Kotai, Jr., Augustana
D — Ty Hanson, Sr., Minnesota Duluth
D — Evan Murr, Jr., Minnesota State
F — Tyson Gross, Jr., St. Cloud State
F — Gavin McKenna, Fr., Penn State
F — Charlie Stramel, Sr., Michigan State

Kent Anderson, perhaps the most unlikely of heroes for Denver, crept down from the right point midway through the second overtime, took a feed from Kristian Epperson, and buried just his second goal of the season to send the Pioneers back to the national championship game.

“Our guys found a way to win a game,” said Denver coach David Carle. “Johnny was obviously excellent for us. Kent with a huge goal. It took everybody to try and get this victory.”

For Anderson, it was only the sixth goal of his 149-game career — and without question, the biggest.

“Kristian protects the puck well, found me in a good spot,” Anderson said. “Let her rip and it went in.

“I don’t score many goals, so this is ranking up top so far.”

Kyle Chyzowski opened the scoring midway through the first period. The freshman made a key play on the forecheck, deflecting a Michigan breakout pass. Kieran Cebrian gathered the loose puck and fed Brendan McMorrow, who set up Chyzowski for a one-timer.

Roughly seven minutes later, Kienan Draper won an offensive-zone faceoff for Michigan, and Josh Eernisse ripped a wrist shot through traffic and past Johnny Hicks to tie the game.

Just over a minute later, Adam Valentini sent a shot wide that caromed off the glass and over the net, landing on the stick of T.J. Hughes, who finished from the backdoor to give Michigan a 2-1 lead.

Early in the second period, Cale Ashcroft pulled Denver even. The junior defenseman took a pass from Sam Harris along the wall and fired a point shot that beat Jack Ivankovic.

Midway through the third, Eric Jamieson was assessed a cross-checking penalty, and Michigan capitalized. On the power play, Jayden Perron took a feed from Will Horcoff and snapped a wrist shot under pressure from Reeder that beat Hicks to restore the Wolverines’ lead.

Denver answered late. With Hicks pulled for the extra attacker, Clarke Caswell got his stick on a feed from Garrett Brown and redirected it past Ivankovic, tying the game with 2:46 remaining.

In the first overtime, Rieger Lorenz nearly ended it, beating Ivankovic only to see the puck ring off the crossbar. Michigan countered with a prime chance of its own, but Garrett Schifsky was denied at the top of the crease by Hicks’ left pad.

Denver earned a late power play in the first overtime when Horcoff, who had earlier stepped on defenseman Boston Buckberger, was penalized for a slash. The advantage lasted just 55 seconds before Harris was called for a penalty, negating the opportunity.

Buckberger did not return to start the second overtime after being cut by Horcoff’s skate, but rejoined the Denver bench minutes later and soon returned to the ice.

“Bucky, when he came back out, that gave everybody a little extra juice,” Anderson said. “Shows what kind of guy he is, wants to come back and help this team.”

Hicks was sharp early in the second overtime, turning aside multiple Michigan chances. At the midpoint of the period, the Wolverines held an 11-2 edge in shots in the frame and a 50-25 advantage overall.

“It’s such a good program over there,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “They played a great game tonight. What am I going to take from it? What are [our players] going to take from it? We out shot them 46-13 in the last four periods. In hockey and in life, sometimes you do it the right way and you just don’t get the bounces.”

Hicks finished the night with 49 saves.

“He’s had an unbelievable run the last two, three years,” Carle said. “Obviously, he was our best player tonight. Very unfazed by the moment. Made a lot of great saves. Yeah, he made the saves you’re supposed to make, and he made a lot that he wasn’t supposed to make.”

After a stoppage to clear the ice, momentum began to tilt. Denver found its footing, and moments later, Anderson seized his moment, finishing the play that will be remembered and sending the Pioneers back to the national title game.

Wisconsin held on to beat North Dakota, 2-1, on Thursday night in the first game of the Frozen Four. The Badgers’ offense struck less than a minute apart in the first period, and they held off a late North Dakota surge to advance to the national title game for the first time since 2010.

“We knew North Dakota would be a very difficult out,” Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings said. “They were. At this time of year, you just have to find a way to survive and move on.

“We bent but we didn’t break. They flipped a game on us in the second period. If you’ve been on this journey, as I have with this group, sometimes we make things a little more difficult than they need to be. But when you play a team like the University of North Dakota, they’re going to stress you out a little bit.”

For much of the night, it appeared those two quick strikes would be all the offense Wisconsin needed.

Simon Tassy gave the Badgers a 1-0 lead at the 12:54 mark of the first period, and Ryan Botterill followed just 27 seconds later to double the advantage to 2-0.

Those goals punctuated a dominant opening frame for Wisconsin, which outshot North Dakota 18-4 in the first 20 minutes. If not for Jan Špunar, the Fighting Hawks could have faced an even steeper deficit.

North Dakota’s best opportunity to climb back into the game came late in the second period, when Luke Osburn and Joe Palodichuk were whistled for penalties just three seconds apart, giving the Fighting Hawks 1:57 of 5-on-3 time. Wisconsin’s penalty kill stood firm, anchored by a herculean effort from Gavin Morrissey, who logged nearly the entire sequence.

“We spent a lot of time preparing against their power play, watching a lot of film,” Wisconsin defenseman Ben Dexheimer said. “Honestly, at the end of the day, I think this time of the year it comes down to the want to get the puck out, the want to block shots. I think that was the difference with our kill tonight. Guys took a lot of effort on blocking shots, getting in lanes.”

The Fighting Hawks continued to press and nearly broke through in the closing seconds of the second. Ollie Josephson sprung free for a breakaway, but Oliver Tulk, who had turned the puck over moments earlier to create the breakaway, recovered with a relentless backcheck to disrupt the chance.

“Obviously huge back-check from Tulker to break that one up,” Wisconsin goalie Daniel Hauser said. “Plays like that really are the difference in a game.”

North Dakota generated more looks in the third period, including a shot off the crossbar, but Hauser (21 saves) kept the puck out of the net.

The Badgers’ 2-0 lead stood until the 19:08 mark of the third period, when Ellis Rickwood cut the deficit to 2-1, injecting some late drama.

In the final seconds, Christian Fitzgerald made a diving play to clear the zone. North Dakota regrouped for one last push, and Rickwood had another look as time expired, but his shot sailed over the crossbar and struck the glass.

Wisconsin improved to 24-12-2 on the season. North Dakota finished its season at 29-10-1.

“They were quicker on pucks,” UND coach Dane Jackson said. “It’s something we really talked about. We felt our last game that we had played good short pass support. Had the chip, we guys skating onto it, we plate north, simple and fast. That’s what you need when teams are checking well. You’ve got to get around the puck to make the next small little play.

“We weren’t quite executing at a high enough level. They were tenacious and quicker. We weren’t managing the puck well. We kind of hooked some pucks to the middle that started some of their play and gave them momentum.”

The Frozen Four opens tonight in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena, with college hockey’s final four converging under the bright lights of the Vegas desert.

Wisconsin and North Dakota will drop the puck at 5 p.m. ET to begin the national semifinals. The nightcap, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET, features Michigan and Denver in another heavyweight clash.

Let’s take a deeper look at the numbers on both matchups.

Wisconsin vs. North Dakota (5:00 p.m. ET)

Denver vs. Michigan (8:30 p.m. ET)

• The NCAA is considering a new rule proposal that will grant all athletes five years of eligibility starting at high school graduation, or the athlete’s 19th birthday. How will that impact college hockey specifically? And what about the ripple effects on juniors, prep school, and more? We’ll examine the potential ramifications.

• Transfer portal notes, including some recent additions and some expected entries, when the portal opens next week.

• Atlantic Hockey American has lost two teams in the last two seasons, with AIC and Mercyhurst dropping their programs. Will the league expand to get back to 10 teams? We have some news.

• UMass is moving closer to an assistant hire after Tom Upton became the head coach at Brown.

• Notes on Brett Larson’s new contract at Minnesota, and the official announcement of his coaching staff.

• Providence recruit Everett Baldwin is heading to the AHL. And, he’ll maintain his NCAA eligibility because of the different pre-enrollment vs. post-enrollment rules.

• News on holiday tournaments in Milwaukee and a new tournament being added at UBS Arena on Long Island.

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How the NCAA’s proposed five-year eligibility rule will impact college hockey

The NCAA is exploring significant changes to its eligibility rules, according to a report by Yahoo Sports — and if approved, the ripple effects across college hockey would be substantial.

Per the report, an NCAA committee is expected to meet on the proposed changes next week. The framework under consideration would shift eligibility standards to an age-based model tied to either a player’s 19th birthday or high school graduation year.

Here are the key points:

Read more

North Dakota returns to the Frozen Four for the first time in a decade this week, a milestone that echoes back to 2016, when Brad Berry guided the Fighting Hawks to a national championship in Tampa.

Wisconsin’s drought has been even longer. The Badgers haven’t reached this stage since 2010, when the Frozen Four was staged inside cavernous Ford Field in Detroit. That season ended one win short of a title, with Wisconsin finishing as the national runner-up to Boston College.

Thursday’s national semifinal shapes up as a game of discipline and restraint. It’s the kind of matchup where the first mistake could be the one that decides the result, because both teams are among the most structured in the country and are relentless in their play off the puck.

North Dakota enters the tournament ranked second nationally in shots allowed, while Wisconsin sits 11th. These teams don’t give their opponents very much room to operate.

“We find in these big games there aren’t a lot of rush chances,” UND coach Dane Jackson said. “You have to take what the game gives you. You have to manage the puck and play a simple game.”

And when chances do come, they have to be finished — because there won’t be many.

Both teams navigated demanding paths to get here. The Big Ten and NCHC schedules ensured that.

“If you’re not prepared on a given night, you won’t just get beat, you could get embarrassed,” Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings said. “That goes to the depth of the league. … Just from being here in the short time I have in these three years, when you watch your opponent, it’s not one, two, or three players you’re concerned about. It’s up front, it’s the D corps — the responsibilities go throughout the lineup. Hopefully that’s something we can lean on.”

Here’s how the matchup breaks down:

Wisconsin’s Keys to Victory

1) Lean on who got you here

With the exception of Luke Osburn and Gavin Morrissey, Wisconsin has relied heavily on its veteran core, which includes Ben Dexheimer, Joe Pablodichuk, Aiden Dubinsky, Quinn Finley, and Simon Tassy (among others).

That experience has defined this team’s identity under Hastings. In a game like this, it becomes even more critical. The Badgers don’t need to reinvent anything — they need to trust what’s carried them this far.

We know the way Mike Hastings wants Wisconsin to play. It’s not a secret. In Worcester two weeks ago, the veterans were the ones leading that charge.

2) Start fast

Wisconsin needed a comeback against Michigan State just to reach this point. That resilience is a strength, but it’s also a dangerous game to play against a team like North Dakota.

Falling behind early could be difficult to overcome. Chasing the game is difficult against any opponent, but I think it’s even more difficult against a team that plays as structured and hard as North Dakota does away from the puck. That’s been the biggest identity switch with North Dakota this season. They’re heavier, and it shows most when they are protecting leads. They can grind teams down to nothing.

3) Shot quality over quantity

North Dakota doesn’t give up much. As noted earlier, the Fighting Hawks allow the second-fewest shots on goal per game in the country.

That makes efficiency paramount. Wisconsin may not generate volume, so finishing chances become the priority.

The encouraging sign for the Badgers is their recent form. They’ve generated more than three expected goals in each of their last seven games, eclipsing four on two occasions. The offense is producing, but now it has to convert against one of the nation’s stingiest defenses.

North Dakota’s Keys to Victory

1) The third line factor

The trio of Cody Croal, Jack Kernan, and Tyler Young was a difference-maker in Sioux Falls, combining for five goals.

That line embodies North Dakota’s identity. They’re physical, direct, and relentless. They were relentless on the backcheck and made life hard for Merrimack and Quinnipiac. They don’t cross the line, but they definitely go up to the line without crossing it when it comes to physicality. They really personify NoDak’s new identity.

If they can tilt the ice again, it gives the Fighting Hawks a significant edge.

2) Špunar needs to be at his best again

After an up-and-down regular season, particularly down the stretch, Jan Špunar found his game at the right time. Back-to-back shutouts in the regionals doen’t happen often this late in the year.

Jackson noted that some of the late-season inconsistency had more to do with team play in front of him. Whatever the cause, Špunar was elite in Sioux Falls — and North Dakota will need that version again.

3) Keep the penalty kill perfect

North Dakota hasn’t allowed a power-play goal since March 6 against Omaha — a span of four games.

Penalty opportunities tend to be limited in games like this, but given the physical nature of both teams, special teams could still play a role. If the Fighting Hawks continue their perfect run on the kill, it significantly strengthens their path to the national title game.

When it comes to Frozen Fours — at least in recent college hockey history — few programs understand the stage better than Denver and Michigan.

The Pioneers are back in the Frozen Four for the third consecutive season and for the fourth time in the last five years. Denver, as many of you know, is chasing its third national title in that span.

Meanwhile, the Wolverines return to the Frozen Four after last season’s disappointing absence, which saw them miss the NCAA Tournament altogether. Prior to that, Michigan had made three straight Frozen Four appearances.

The last meeting between these two historic programs came in the 2022 national semifinals — a 3-2 Denver victory in overtime at TD Garden in Boston, sealed by Carter Savoie.

“We know what their identity is with the video and technology that’s available to us now, and they know what we are as well,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said this week. “I think if you look back at that game from 2022, when I was an assistant, it’s very similar. The game will be about who can execute and get to their identity first and for the longest. When momentum shifts, if it’s going our way how can we stack that? If it’s going their way, how do we negate it?”

Here’s how the matchup breaks down.

Denver’s Keys to Victory

1) Johnny Hicks must be the Richter-caliber goaltender he’s been in the second half

Johnny Hicks isn’t under consideration for the Richter Award, but that’s largely because he didn’t see regular time until mid-January when Quentin Miller went down with an injury.

Let’s be honest — if Hicks had posted his numbers (1.12 goals-against average, .958 save percentage) over a full season, he wouldn’t just be a Richter favorite; he’d likely be in the Hobey Baker conversation.

In 19 appearances, Hicks has allowed more than two goals just once.

Denver will need him at his absolute best to contain Michigan’s top-ranked offense. The Wolverines lead the nation at 4.6 goals per game, but their losses tell a different story — just 11 total goals scored in seven defeats (1.57 per game).

It’s easier said than done, but the Pioneers need a way to limit Michigan’s scoring. Their defensive structure and attention to details will matter, but so will an elite performance from their goaltender. I don’t think any team can beat Michigan with an average or below-average performance from the man between the pipes.

2) Stay out of the penalty box

In that 2022 semifinal, Denver didn’t give Michigan’s power play a single opportunity. It was a penalty-free performance against a unit that ranked No. 3 nationally at 26.8 percent.

This year’s Michigan power play is even more dangerous — No. 1 in the country at 31.6 percent.

If Denver wants to slow this game down and dictate terms, discipline is non-negotiable. Either the penalty kill must be flawless, or better yet, it shouldn’t be needed at all.

3) A big night from Boston Buckberger

There’s some uncertainty surrounding Hobey Baker finalist Eric Pohlkamp. His minutes in the NCAA Tournament (just over 20 per game) suggest something may still be lingering after blocking a shot off his foot in the NCHC Tournament.

Whatever has nagged him probably isn’t a huge deal, and he’s had almost two weeks to heal up. And again, his usage hasn’t really suffered. He only played a little more than 20 minutes in each regional game, but that seemed to be by design (even Buckberger’s minutes were below his season average).

Regardless, it feels like a spot where Buckberger, who has gone somewhat unheralded with Pohlkamp having a Hobey-caliber season, could be a big part of the game.

Michigan’s Keys to Victory

1) Goaltending must match Denver’s

Much like Denver, Michigan’s path runs through its goaltender.

Jack Ivankovic has been, all season, the X-factor. He gives Michigan something it lacked in its previous Frozen Four runs — a game-stealing presence in net.

Since returning from injury on Feb. 7, Ivankovic has been inconsistent, with flashes of brilliance mixed with average and below-average outings. But the talent is undeniable.

Denver may not be the offensive juggernaut of past years (3.6 goals per game), but it enters this game red hot — 23 goals in its last five games, with four or more goals in eight of its last 11.

Michigan will need Ivankovic’s “A” game.

2) The first goal matters — a lot

Denver is 19-3 when it scores first. Michigan is 24-3 when it scores first.

You don’t need a math degree to understand what that means.

While Michigan has shown the ability to come from behind (7-4-1 when trailing 1-0), it’s far more dangerous playing with a lead. Once the Wolverines get one, they tend to come in waves.

3) Win the game in transition

Naurato said it himself — identity will decide this game.

Michigan cannot allow Denver to settle into its structure. Instead, the Wolverines need to push pace, attack off the rush, and create in transition — areas where they excel.

Looking at the analytics, players like Michael Hage, and Jayden Perron are among the nation’s best in transition play, with Ben Robertson contributing significantly on zone exits.

Denver thrives on structure and detail, but even more so, it seems like this team puts an emphasis on that. Can Michigan bust through that structure in transition? We’ll see.

Mike and Tyler talk about the Frozen Four, St. Cloud State, Alaska Anchorage’s new opening, and a lot more on this week’s College Hockey Rundown.

As mentioned in this episode, Tyler is running a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon in October to raise money for “Give Kids the World,” a charity that helps send sick children to Disney World. If you would like to contribute to his fundraising, click here.

Alaska Anchorage is searching for a head coach.

Matt Shasby has resigned from his position, the university announced Monday, bringing an end to a four-year tenure that began at a critical juncture in the program’s history.

“It’s the right time for me to pursue some other opportunities in my life, personally,” Shasby told the Anchorage Daily News. “I think where we were four years ago, when we had no players and no games scheduled, and kind of just bringing the team back from basically starting over to where it is now, I think we’re in a great spot.”

Shasby was hired to lead Alaska Anchorage following the program’s revival and tasked with rebuilding from the ground up. Over four seasons, he compiled a 34-86-9 record, with the Seawolves showing their most progress during the 2023–24 campaign, when they finished 15-17-2.

“We appreciate Matt’s service to the hockey team and the university,” said acting athletic director Tanya Pont. “He stepped in during an important chapter for the program, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Alaska Anchorage officials said a national search for the program’s next head coach will begin immediately.

We’ll have more on this story in our next newsletter.

In today’s edition of College Hockey Insider (#669):

• Reaction to the Trump administration’s executive order issued Friday, which aims to reestablish structure in college athletics, including proposed changes to eligibility, transfers, NIL, and more.

• The transfer portal is now open for graduate students and players impacted by coaching changes (or program discontinuations). A link to my 2026 portal tracker, along with a full list of entries to date, is included.

• St. Cloud State is closing in on its next head coach, with finalist interviews set for this weekend.

• A look at NCAA regional television ratings.

• Updates on staff shakeups, along with a key retention at Brown.

• Ethen Wyttenbach never seriously considered entering the transfer portal. Meanwhile, Chris Pelosi is set to return for the Bobcats.

• The U.S. Collegiate Selects will return to the Spengler Cup for the next two years.

• A top NHL Draft prospect has committed to Denver.

Trump’s executive order on college sports is likely a roadmap for Congress

I’ve spent much of the last 24 hours poring over President Donald Trump’s executive order, issued late Friday, that aims to bring some structure back to NCAA regulations.

We’ll get to the highlights of the order in a moment. But first, it’s worth examining the order itself.

In the executive order, Trump directs the NCAA to revert to some of its previous rules — particularly regarding transfers — by August 1. However, many of those same rules have already been challenged in court and deemed unlawful.

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These segments with Shane Malloy were recorded this week and will air this weekend on Hockey Prospect Radio on SiriuxXM NHL Network Radio.

With some unexpected travel to Sioux Falls last week, I’m still catching up on some news and notes from around the country.

So for today’s newsletter, I’m going to empty my notebook and play catch-up all in one issue.

The Huskies are moving quickly to fill their head coaching vacancy after Brett Larson departed for the Minnesota job last week.

Nick Oliver could emerge as the top candidate. Oliver, 34, is a young coach and alum who is currently on Mike Hastings’ staff at Wisconsin. That could complicate things from an announcement standpoint with Wisconsin in the Frozen Four, but I don’t think it would be out of the question to make the announcement and clarify that he would start at St. Cloud following the conclusion of Wisconsin’s season.

He’s not Wisconsin’s head coach, so I don’t think it would be much of a distraction. For instance, UConn assistant Luke Murray just took the Boston College basketball job this week, and he’ll coach in the Final Four this weekend for the Huskies before reporting for duty with the Eagles.

Oliver was at St. Cloud as an assistant under Larson from 2018–22 before becoming a head coach in the USHL with the Fargo Force. After one year in Fargo, he took the Wisconsin position under Hastings, and he’s now in his third season with the Badgers.

Oliver isn’t the only candidate considered a finalist.

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