Non-UND College Hockey 2025-26

[brianvf]

https://x.com/PuckPreps/status/1968808781480861726

[nascar99]

3 hours ago, brianvf said:

I think both WMU and DU take a step back this year. Still guessing that they’ll both be in the top 4, but I don’t see either being dominant like they could be at times last season. 

Denver could with Davis gone, but I think Western Michigan will still be damn good with Slukynsky in net. Their key will be replacing Bump's production, but with Ferschweiler's ability to turn nobodies into dudes, I think the Broncos will be fine

[brianvf]

Article from CHN explaining all this pro player nonsense:

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/09/18_Pro-Players-in-College-Hockey.php

Quote

Arizona State had a late opening, because Cole Spicer — who spent two years at Minnesota Duluth and then last season back in the USHL before getting recruited by Arizona State — left the program before his career in Tempe began. He's currently on Western Michigan's roster and trying to earn his eligibility there.

Is Spicer still not eligible?   

Quote

Bemidji State got the ball rolling on this, at least within hockey. Thanks to the NCAA continuing to lose lawsuits left and right, players in other sports who have dabbled with pro signings have had their eligibility re-instated. Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore saw this happening, and decided to take a chance on adding Hudson Thornton (50 pro games last season) and Connor McClennon (9).

It worked. The NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly the NCAA Clearinghouse) approved their eligibility based upon the concept that those players' pro earnings were still below the "full cost of attendance" plus the "necessary and actual expenses" of going to college.

Plus all these players over 21 won't have the full four years of eligibility remaining:

Quote

Also, these players are still subject to the 21-year old rule. In other words, your clock starts ticking when you enroll, or when you pass 21 years old, whichever comes first. So a player coming from USports (Canada's college organization), CHL (Major Junior) or some form of pro hockey that are older than 21, have fewer years of eligibility remaining.

 

[brianvf]

1 hour ago, nascar99 said:

Denver could with Davis gone, but I think Western Michigan will still be damn good with Slukynsky in net. Their key will be replacing Bump's production, but with Ferschweiler's ability to turn nobodies into dudes, I think the Broncos will be fine

For DU, losing Davis and Buium will be massive (not to mention Devine, Thompson, and King).

WMU lost the best forward in the nation, their best center, and their best 200ft player in Bump, Costantini, and Washe.  That said, I totally agree with what you are saying that  WMU seems to always lose a ton and then random nobody forwards all of a sudden turn into scoring machines for them.  That has to end at some point, right?    
We'll see if that happens this year or if they continue with that crazy streak.

UND has their own question marks with Boisvert, Perron, OMac all gone...but I really think that they will only miss Boisvert from that trio.
Plus, UND has a better incoming group (recruits + portal pickups) than WMU and DU imo.

Should be an interesting season to follow!

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

1 hour ago, brianvf said:

For DU, losing Davis and Buium will be massive (not to mention Devine, Thompson, and King).

WMU lost the best forward in the nation, their best center, and their best 200ft player in Bump, Costantini, and Washe.  That said, I totally agree with what you are saying that  WMU seems to always lose a ton and then random nobody forwards all of a sudden turn into scoring machines for them.  That has to end at some point, right?    
We'll see if that happens this year or if they continue with that crazy streak.

UND has their own question marks with Boisvert, Perron, OMac all gone...but I really think that they will only miss Boisvert from that trio.
Plus, UND has a better incoming group (recruits + portal pickups) than WMU and DU imo.

Should be an interesting season to follow!

Patty will somehow cure Whitelaw's locker room cancer. And if he turns Spicer in a stud that'll make their games at the Ralph that much more interesting.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

https://www.si.com/college/minnesota/gophers-hockey/bob-motzko-gophers-to-watch-and-observe-recruitment-of-chl-players

Can't imagine he would have the same approach if he was still in Stearns County.

[cberkas]

Another one

I feel a change is coming to this in a year or two. 

[FSSD]

I love the direction of the NCHC, new first class buildings at: CC, WMU, ASU and St. Thomas.  Plus, nice facilities at Miami, DU, UNO, UMD and UND.  Now, if we could just dump SCSU.

[brianvf]

 

[Godsmack]

At the CC season ticket holder fan fest today, the team captains were announced by Kris Mayotte. Senior Kaiden Mbereko was named one of the captains, along with juniors Max Burkholder, Owen Beckner, and Grand Forks native, Drew Montgomery. 

[Godsmack]

14 hours ago, Godsmack said:

At the CC season ticket holder fan fest today, the team captains were announced by Kris Mayotte. Senior Kaiden Mbereko was named one of the captains, along with juniors Max Burkholder, Owen Beckner, and Grand Forks native, Drew Montgomery. 

 

[nascar99]

 

[beastandco]

12 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

 

Minnesota and North Dakota should be flipped. After struggling against real teams last year, Minnesota lost a ton and their additions are underwhelming.

If North Dakota’s underclassmen forwards can generate offense early in the season, they should climb up quickly.

[nascar99]

17 minutes ago, beastandco said:

Minnesota and North Dakota should be flipped. After struggling against real teams last year, Minnesota lost a ton and their additions are underwhelming.

If North Dakota’s underclassmen forwards can generate offense early in the season, they should climb up quickly.

Agreed completely. I could see Wisconsin being higher in the national rankings if Hastings gets them playing to an identity early on & they have a slightly higher shooting percentage.

[siouxfaninseattle]

The only poll that counts is the last one of the season.

[ubish]

Surprised to see us #1 with the flashy signings by some of the "big" schools. 

[hockeytherapy13]

1 hour ago, ubish said:

Surprised to see us #1 with the flashy signings by some of the "big" schools. 

Agreed but Fersch has proven we can't predict what they are going to do. Just an absolute wildcard haha.  I mean there probably wasn't a soul last year pre-season that  would have put them at #1 for Penrose, winning league champ, or a natty. Just a clinic in coaching, it was unreal. 

[iramurphy]

1 hour ago, ubish said:

Surprised to see us #1 with the flashy signings by some of the "big" schools. 

You have a goalie that can carry you to another championship if you get some scoring. I bet his older brother will be a force this year. 

[atxsioux]

Michigan got a random 1st place vote which was pretty bizzarre

[cberkas]

Kinda like it. 

Don't like the "National Cup" though 

[cberkas]

The other two NCHC teams going to the Friendship Four will be Duluth in 2026 and Omaha in 2028 with UND in 2027.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/09/22_Western-Michigan-Sits-Atop.php

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/09/23_2025-26-College-Hockey-Primer.php

CHN articles for this season; UND at #7