Michael Hage had two goals and an assist in Michigan’s season opener against Bowling Green. Michigan PhotographyRachel KryshakOct 7, 2026, 08:00 AM ETCloseRachel Kryshak is a professional data consultant specializing in data communication and modelling. She’s worked in the NHL and consulted for professional teams across North American and Europe. She hosts the Staff & Graph Podcast and discusses sports from a data-driven perspective.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsThe NCAA men’s ice hockey season is underway, with another infusion of brilliant talent from across North America and Europe. The Denver Pioneers are looking to defend their title and win their fourth NCAA championship in six years under head coach David Carle.A recent rule change has generated an influx of talent from the Canadian junior league ranks.
Many high-profile draft picks have joined the NCAA, making it more competitive than ever. Schools are loaded with talent depth they’ve never had, and the quality of the games makes it a great development ground before prospects take the next step into their professional careers.Landon DuPont, the consensus first overall draft prospect, landed with the Michigan Wolverines, while other schools loaded up on talent from the most recent draft class. How each player is maximized with their new team and develops will ultimately determine the success of the program, but the level of talent is sure to make for highly entertaining hockey.Quite a few schools have talent that stands above their competitors on paper, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the champion crowned from of the six schools listed below. Consider this an overview of who they brought in, their potential impact, as well as development opportunities; these teams will be key watches for NHL fans (and teams) throughout the season.Note: Players affiliated with NHL teams are denoted as such throughout.University of Denver PioneersAfter much speculation, the best coach in the NCAA stayed put in Denver, returning to coach the reigning national champions.
The Pioneers are perennially a top college hockey program because of their ability to recruit and retain the best coach outside the NHL.Needing to fill holes on the blue line left by Eric Pohlkamp (San Jose Sharks) and Boston Buckberger (Columbus Blue Jackets), Carle wasted no time bolstering his roster with two elite defenders in Daxon Rudolph (Buffalo Sabres) and Ryan Lin (Sharks). Both have the potential to play multiple seasons at Denver, and their development would likely benefit tremendously from doing so. Furthermore, they are expected to play enormous roles given their skating and play-driving ability. If the Pioneers are to repeat as champions, expect those two to be a major reason why.Jack Pridham (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Mikey Berchild (Carolina Hurricanes) are two other key additions to the Denver lineup, and will be relied upon to drive offense.
Pridham is coming off a 1.5 points-per-game season in the OHL, while Berchild was one of the top scorers in the United States National Team Development Program last season, averaging nearly a point per game. They join Sam Harris (Montreal Canadiens), Clarke Caswell (Seattle Kraken) and Jay Reeder (Los Angeles Kings), who drove the majority of the offense for Denver during the championship season.The Pioneers are set up well to compete for another national title, while their players continue to develop into future NHL contributors.Michigan State SpartansThe Spartans are absolutely loaded with first-round talent, and are a true contender for the NCAA title this year. Ethan Belchetz (Utah Mammoth), Ryker Lee (Nashville Predators) Mason West (Chicago Blackhawks) and Cullen Potter (Calgary Flames) will lead a terrifying offensive attack, expected to score goals at will. It’s a blend of elite skill and size, capable of beating players one on one or bullying through them with sheer force.
Balancing the combination of elite soft skill and hard skill will be one of the most interesting story lines and a potential difference maker between a championship run and a premature exit.Cayden Lindstrom (Blue Jackets) returns for another season and needs to develop into a game breaker at the NCAA level in his sophomore campaign. It is an important season for Lindstrom’s development and prospects as a middle-six NHL piece. The 20-year-old will be a key piece of the Spartans’ attack and should double his point total.On defense, Chase Reid (Kraken) will lead the top power-play unit and drive play from the back end. Reid has a real chance to be in the Hobey Baker conversation and should sign with Seattle at season’s end.
With Tommy Bleyl (Predators) running the second power play and driving play on the second pairing, it gives the Spartans two difference-making defenders who can log major minutes against the NCAA’s best players.Joshua Ravensbergen (Sharks) takes over for Trey Augustine in goal, with enormous skates to fill. Ravensbergen is one of the top goaltending prospects in the NCAA and should be a difference maker for the Spartans. The Spartans boast a well-rounded roster with excellent depth and should be one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season.University of Michigan WolverinesMuch like their arch rivals, the Wolverines have an embarrassment of riches. Michael Hage’s (Canadiens) return was not expected at the end of last season, but is certainly a welcome piece, as he will be their top-line center and one of the best players in the NCAA.He will be supported by freshmen JP Hurlbert (Detroit Red Wings) and Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia Flyers), sophomores Malcolm Spence (New York Rangers), Adam Valentini (Mammoth), and upperclassmen Will Horcoff (Pittsburgh Penguins), Nick Moldenhauer (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Jayden Perron (Hurricanes).
Perhaps the deepest forward group in the NCAA, the Wolverines are poised to have a well balanced attack of speed, skill and tenacity. At least four of those players are expected to be in their final NCAA seasons, making this a very important season, one where the experience of the upperclassmen could prove pivotal in their ultimate result.The player who will draw the most attention is undoubtedly the consensus first overall prospect in the upcoming draft, Landon DuPont. DuPont will be immediately impactful as he steps into the NCAA, and is expected to draw top power-play duties, play in key situations and drive play from the blue line. He is already well-known in the prospect world — he was the second player in WHL history to be granted exceptional player status and begin play at age 15 — and his prestige in the overall hockey world will only increase as his draft-eligible season unfolds.DuPont is joined by Cameron Reid (Predators) who will play big matchup minutes, secondary power-play minutes, and could drive play on his own pairing.
Jack Ivankovic (Predators) enters his sophomore season after a sparkling freshman year, posting a .921 save percentage in 35 games. Ivankovic will continue to carry the lion’s share of the workload and be one of the top goaltenders in the NCAA. In tight games towards the end of the season, the Wolverines are hoping Ivankovic is a difference maker against some of the NCAA’s most talented players.Boston University TerriersBoston University is going to be an intriguing watch this season because of the range of skill and tenacity added to their lineup with players selected in the top 50 of the 2026 draft.Tynan Lawrence (St. Louis Blues) enters his first full season, while Caleb Malhotra (Vancouver Canucks) is looking to make an immediate impact in the NCAA.
Neither player will start on the first line, but no one would be surprised if Malhotra forces coach Jay Pandolfo’s hand as the season progresses. Niklas Aaram-Olsen joins his fellow Canucks (Aiden Celebrini is here as well) for his freshmen season, meaning Vancouver’s front office will be paying close attention to this team. The Terriers have three lines capabl
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