With the calendar changed to 2026, college hockey teams have returned from the holidays and are ready to get their conference schedules up to speed.
The Big Ten and NCHC have been the strongest leagues so far, and teams from those leagues occupy the top seven spots in the first USCHO poll of the new year. No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Michigan State and No. 3 Wisconsin give the Big Ten a strong hold on the top of the standings, with Nos. 4-7 held by North Dakota, Minnesota Duluth, Western Michigan and Denver of the NCHC.
ECAC's Quinnipiac, Big Ten's Penn State and Hockey East's Connecticut round out the top 10, with Dartmouth, Maine and Boston College not far behind.
One major change this season is the switch from PairWise rankings to the NCAA Power Index, or NPI, to determine selection and seeding for the NCAA Tournament. While the NPI is intended to address some statistical anomalies, preventing teams from being overly rewarded for big wins or penalized for bad losses, the overall effect is not expected to be drastically different from that of PairWise.
As we cross the imaginary halfway point of the season, ESPN college hockey analysts Sean Ritchlin and Andrew Raycroft break down the biggest storylines and teams on the rise, plus provide an early look at Hobey Baker's career and which teams will be in Las Vegas on April 9-11 for the Frozen Four.
What is the most compelling story this season?
Sean Ritchlin: The decision by Gavin McKenna, the likely No. 1 pick in the upcoming NHL draft, to leave Major Juniors and play for Penn State has captured the attention of the college hockey world. It represents a seismic shift in the way prospective elites can view their development paths in the future.
College hockey has always been a proven developmental league, producing NHL stars through a model based on developing strength, structure and maturity. But it was rarely seen as a true alternative to the generational Canadian talents that traditionally followed the path from the CHL to the NHL. McKenna's move challenges that long-standing model.
Andrew Raycroft: The changing landscape of men's hockey in general, and McKenna is a big part of it. With the changes in eligibility rules and the increased influence of NIL money, it has been fascinating to see which programs have come together and built the best teams during the first half. So far, the Big Ten is leading the way, with four of the top eight teams in the country according to NPI.
Which team has been the most pleasant surprise so far?
Ritchlin: Dartmouth coach Reid Cashman has brought energy and edge to Hanover this season, building on last year's strong 18-13-2 campaign. The Big Green has taken another step forward, showing pace, structure and confidence under Cashman, although they recently ran into a buzzsaw, losing games to surging Princeton and a typically disciplined Quinnipiac team.
Raycroft: Ranked #6 on NPI, Dartmouth has to be the answer here. After rising to No. 1 in the country with 12 straight wins to open the season, the Big Green have lost four in a row, but there's no denying Cashman has done an incredible job.
Which team do you expect to have a second half surge?
Ritchlin: In his first season behind the bench, Dane Jackson has the North Dakota offense clicking, averaging 3.77 goals per game and putting constant pressure on opponents. North Dakota is ranked first in the NCHC and is 16-4-0 overall, a familiar position for a league that continues to produce national champions year after year. With pace, depth and scoring balance driving results, expect the Fighting Hawks to take another step toward garnering national attention as the second half of the season progresses.
Raycroft: Denver. With back-to-back Frozen Four appearances, look for David Carle to lift his team in the second half. Ranked ninth in NPI and led by junior defensemen Eric Pohlkamp and Boston Buckberger, the Pioneers always face a difficult schedule to develop their play for the postseason.
What is your initial opinion on Hobey Baker's career?
Ritchlin: The first half of the season has put several players in the spotlight, including Michael Hage and Will Horcoff at Michigan, along with Cole Hutson at Boston University (the likely favorite) and Max Plante at Minnesota. But many players have a chance this year; It remains to be seen who will catch voters' attention. Hutson is talented and had a great season last year, which helps his cause.
Raycroft: The race for this season's Hobey Baker is wide open. Recent years have seen clear finalists emerge midway, but that's not the case this season. Arizona State's Cruz Lucious leads the country in scoring (12 goals, 20 assists), BU's Hutson leads defensemen in scoring (7 goals, 13 assists) and Michigan State goaltender Trey Augustine is tops in save percentage (.938). All three are in the mix along with Arizona State's Plante, Pohlkamp and Bennett Schimek, among others.
Who are your picks to do the Frozen Four in Las Vegas?
Ritchlin
Maybe I'm going all West, and possibly all Chalk, but these teams have been impressive up to this point. I would love to see the UConn Huskies make the trip to Las Vegas, and they have a legitimate chance. That being said, I think the following teams are a level ahead right now.
Michigan He has found his identity defensively while still scoring at a high level. Consistency in net under Jack Ivankovic has made a difference, giving the Wolverines a reliable backbone heading down the stretch.
North Dakota continues to impress in a conference that routinely dominates the national tournament. With Will Zellers returning from the World Juniors, the second half sets up well for another surge in Grand Forks.
Denver He always seems to find a way when it comes time for the tournament. Coach David Carle has become a wizard in unique settings, whether at the collegiate level or on the world junior stage. It's hard not to imagine the Pios rolling the dice in Las Vegas.
Michigan State I won't forget last year's early exit in Toledo against Cornell. That lingering bad taste could be the fuel that drives a deeper, more focused postseason this time around.
Raycroft
I agree that the West is where the power is this season, at least for the moment.
North Dakota: Rookie goalie Jan Spunar is 10-0, while first-year coach Dane Jackson leads the Fighting Hawks' resurgence.
Wisconsin: Mike Hastings has turned the Badgers around in his third year on campus. They have an 8-2 record in a tough Big Ten.
Western Michigan: The defending national champions will use their experience to make their way into the tournament. Coach Pat Ferschweiler and goalie Hampton Slukynsky will lead the way
Michigan State: The Spartans have been close to making the Frozen Four in recent years, but this season they will arrive in Las Vegas. With one of the most talented lineups in the country, led by Augustine, MSU has all the pieces to contend for the championship.
