Road to Frozen Four 2023-2024

In the last decade of NHL drafts, there have been more than elite players taken in the first couple rounds. Some of the big names, Eichel, Makar, Power, Fantilli and Beniers. The NCAA, particularly the University of Michigan, has been pumping out NHL talent. It has now gotten to the point where some Canadian players will opt to go to college instead of the CHL. Here are the Top 10 Best College Hockey Teams currently producing these players.

Honorable Mention

Maine

A very honorable mention goes to the University of Maine, which is currently ranked 11^th in the country. Currently, with a record of 6-3-1 and a conference record of 3-2-1, Maine is playing some solid hockey.

Currently being led by Josh Nadeau, a back-to-back NCHL champion, he has four goals and nine assists for 13 points in ten games. Maine is welcoming two teams to Orono this weekend: New Hampshire and UConn.

Top 10 Best College Hockey Teams

10. Massachusetts 

The University of Massachusetts is currently 10^th overall in the NCAA D1 and is 9-3-1. They are 4-2-1 in conference and 5-1-0 out of conference. The team is currently led in points by Hurricanes 2021 second round pick Scott Morrow.

These defensemen have four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 13 games. They have a tough schedule coming up with an away game in Burlington against Vermont and two games at home against a feisty Anchorage team.

9. Providence 

The Providence Friars are off to an incredible season as well, currently 9^th in the NCAA D1. They are 9-4-2 overall, 4-2-2 in conference and 5-2-0 out of conference. The Friars are being led by some international players, with goalie Philip Svedeback playing out of his mind with 15 starts and a 9-4-2 record.

He is a Bruins prospect. Rangers prospect Jaroslav Chmelar is leading the team in points with 14 in those 15 games. They are playing in a conference next weekend at Boston College. 

8. Michigan State 

Michigan State is one of the most exciting teams in college hockey this year as last year was not the outcome anyone wanted or expected. The Spartans are currently 10-4-2, 5-1-2 in the conference, and  undefeated at Munn Ice Arena.

Undrafted Michigan native Joey Larson is currently leading the team in points with eight goals and 10 assists in 16 games during his first year with the team. Yet another Michigan native, Red Wings draft pick Trey Augistine is backstopping the crease with a 9-3-2 record and an SV% of .911. 

7. Minnesota 

The Golden Gophers are currently 7-4-3 but are picking it back up. They are struggling in conference this season, going 3-3-2. The Flyers seventh round pick in 2019 is leading the University of Minnesota with eight goals and eight assists for 16 points in 14 games.

Blues first-round pick is also playing well for the Gophers, scoring three goals and adding 11 assists so far this season. The next game for the Gophers is at State College at Pegula against a tough Penn State team. 

6. Wisconsin 

The Badgers are on for this season, they are currently 10-4-0 and 4-2 during conference play. After splitting their series with Anchorage, the club is looking to bounce back and sweep Ohio in Wisconsin this weekend.

The team is playing complete hockey at the moment, with several players scoring over 10 points. Undrafted senior Mathieu De St. Phalle is currently leading the team in points with five goals and seven assists for 12 points. 

5. Quinnipiac 

Still hot after their 3-2 overtime win against Minnesota last season, Quinnipiac is currently 9-4-1 and 5-0-1 in the conference. Undrafted center Jacob Quillan is leading the team in points with eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points.

Undrafted senior goalie Vinny Duplessis, a former Boston University Terrier, is holding up the posts in net with a 7-3-1 record and a GAA of 2.15. Quinnipiac is on the road this weekend with a game against RPI and Union. 

4. Boston University

Boston University is one of the hottest teams in the NCAA right now, with a record of 9-4-1 and a conference record of 5-1-1. This comes from the outstanding play of a possible first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Macklin Celebrini.

Celebrini has 13 goals and 22 assists for 22 points in just 13 games. Canadians draft steal Lane Hutson is right behind him in points as well, with 16 in 13 games. BU heads to Merrimack this weekend for a two-game weekend, one of which is Teddy Bear Toss Night. 

3. Denver 

The University of Denver (DU) has been one of the most competitive clubs this past decade. DU is currently 10-3-1 on the season and is being led in points by Massimo Rizzo and Jack Devine. 

Rizzo has 25 points in 14 games, while Jack has 24 points. Carter King is in his final season with Denver and currently has 19 points. The matchup of the month is coming up this weekend as DU plays the next team on our list, North Dakota. 

2. North Dakota 

The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks are currently the second-best team in college hockey and have a whopping 11 NHL-drafted players on their 26-man roster. Currently sitting at 11-2-1 and undefeated 4-0 in conference play, they are being led in points by Blake Jackson, who has 10 goals and 8 assists in 14 games.

Owen McLaughlin is also having a standout season with nine goals and 12 assists in 13 games. The Fighting Hawks are currently preparing to take on Denver this weekend. 

1. Boston College 

Boston College, while having the same record as North Dakota, is the best team in college hockey at the moment. The team is 11-2-1 and 4-1-1 in conference, but the NHL talent on the team is insane. Cutter Gauthier is the Flyers first rounder; Will Smith is the Sharks first rounder; and Gabe Perreault the Rangers first rounder.

They are currently being led in points by Gabe Perreault who has three goals and 17 assists in 14 games this season, with Will Smith only one point behind him. They have six players with over ten points this season.

How would you rank these clubs in the Best College Ice Hockey Team Rankings 2023-2024 season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Hockey Power Rankings

Related Links:

• Top 10 Best College Hockey Teams 2023-2024 Rankings
• Top 10 Best College Hockey Players 2023-2024 Rankings