It’s always a little speculative before the season, but based on preseason polls, returning talent, and recent performance, here are some teams I expect to be among the best in NCAA men’s hockey this year:
🔍 Top contenders (2025-26)
According to the USCHO preseason poll, the projected top teams are:
- Western Michigan (defending champ) College Hockey | USCHO.com+2Inside The Rink+2
- Boston University Everything College Hockey+3College Hockey | USCHO.com+3NGSC Sports+3
- Michigan State NGSC Sports+2College Hockey | USCHO.com+2
- Denver NGSC Sports+1
- Penn State College Hockey | USCHO.com+3NGSC Sports+3Inside The Rink+3
Other teams often seen in the top 10 mix include Boston College, Maine, Minnesota, Providence, UConn American Hockey Coaches Association+4NGSC Sports+4Everything College Hockey+4.
💡 Why these teams stand out
- Western Michigan enters with momentum, being the reigning national champion. Even though it loses some key players, it still draws respect in the preseason poll with many first-place votes. Inside The Rink+2NGSC Sports+2
- Boston University often has strong recruiting and consistent performance; being #2 in preseason suggests they’re well-regarded. NGSC Sports+2Inside The Rink+2
- Michigan State is getting attention for returning stars and solid depth. College Hockey | USCHO.com+3Inside The Rink+3NGSC Sports+3
- Denver has been a perennial power in college hockey, and expectations remain high. NGSC Sports+2College Hockey | USCHO.com+2
- Penn State is rising in respect, gaining votes as a serious contender. Everything College Hockey+3Black Shoe Diaries+3NGSC Sports+3
Top Players to Watch (2025–26)
These are names that many analysts expect to make big impacts this season:
| Name | Position | School | Why they’re standout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Augustine | Goalie | Michigan State | Already a top NCAA goalie — posted a .924 save % and 2.08 GAA last year. NHL |
| Sascha Boumedienne | Defense | Boston University | Highly drafted, and had strong showing internationally and in his freshman year. NHL+1 |
| Cole Eiserman | Forward | Boston University | Broken out in his freshman year with 25 goals; has high upside offensively. NHL |
| Michael Hage | Forward | Michigan | A rising scoring leader; expected to be a key piece for Michigan. NHL+1 |
| James Hagens | Center | Boston College | Returning after strong freshman year and projected as a Hobey Baker contender. SI+2College Hockey | USCHO.com+2 |
| Cole Hutson | Defense | Boston University | Led all rookies and defensemen in scoring; already earned All-American honors. Wikipedia |
| Mac Gadowsky | Defense | Penn State | Transferred in with a strong resume; was among top defensemen and Hobey finalist at his prior program. Wikipedia |
| Owen Michaels | Forward | Western Michigan | Clutched performer — scored the winning OT goal in national semifinal and two goals in the final. Wikipedia |
| Hampton Slukynsky | Goalie | Western Michigan | Had an excellent freshman year; crucial in WMU’s NCAA tournament run. Wikipedia |
Here are some of the top men’s ice hockey teams in the NE-10 (Northeast-10 Conference) going into the 2025-26 season — based on recent performance and standings trends:
🔍 Top Contenders in NE10 (NCAA DII Men’s Hockey)
From the 2024-25 season, some of the strongest teams:
- Saint Anselm — Won the regular season title with a dominant 16-3-1 conference record; they were well ahead of the field. Saint Anselm College Athletics+2Northeast 10 Conference+2
- Saint Michael’s — A consistent top performer; also won the postseason NE10 championship in 2025. Northeast 10 Conference+2Saint Anselm College Athletics+2
- Southern New Hampshire — Competitive in standings and stats. Northeast 10 Conference+2Wikipedia+2
- Assumption — Solid statistical output; capable of surprising. Northeast 10 Conference+3Northeast 10 Conference+3College Hockey | USCHO.com+3
Also worth keeping an eye on Franklin Pierce and Post, though historically they’ve been a bit further back in the standings. Wikipedia+2College Hockey | USCHO.com+2
Here are a few of the top contenders / historically strong programs in NCAA Division III men’s hockey heading into the 2025-26 season, based on recent performance, polls, and projections. Note that rankings will evolve as the season unfolds.
🏒 Mens Division III
- In the 2025 NCAA Division III men’s ice hockey tournament, Hobart won the national championship for the third straight year, by defeating Utica 2–1 in overtime. Wikipedia
- The NFHCA (National Field Hockey Coaches Association) Division III National Coaches Poll (for D-III hockey) as of September 2025 has Middlebury at #1, followed by Christopher Newport, Johns Hopkins, Salisbury, and Williams among the top teams. NFHCA
So those are good starting points for names to watch.
🔍 Teams to Watch in 2025-26
Based on recent success, program stability, and preseason rankings, here are some of the likely top teams in D-III men’s hockey for 2025-26:
| Team | Why They’re Expected to be Strong / Recent Results |
|---|---|
| Hobart | Defending three-time national champion entering 2025-26. Wikipedia |
| Utica | Runner-up in 2025, strong playoff presence. Wikipedia |
| Geneseo State | A regular participant in D-III postseason, semifinalist in 2025. Wikipedia |
| Curry | Made the Frozen Four in 2025. Wikipedia |
| Middlebury | Highly ranked in preseason coaches polls, strong historic program. NFHCA |
