There are many great hockey teams in college, but the best are often up and coming. Last season, Boston University, Minnesota State, and Northeastern Huskies led the way. Then there's Colorado College. In addition to these teams, a couple of others are worth mentioning. Of course, the most successful team in the league is Harvard, but there are plenty of other good teams to watch in this year's NCAA tournament.
The Minnesota State men's hockey team started the new season with a bang, sweeping UMass 5-1 on the road. This impressive performance helped Minnesota State jump from No. 5 in the preseason USCHO poll to No. 1 in the latest poll. The rankings aren't everything, however. After all, who will win a national championship based on which team was best on Oct. 8?
The Mavericks finished the season as the No. 1 team in the nation, with a 35-5-0 record. After an eight-year hiatus, they won the CCHA championship in their first season back in the league. The Mavericks have several Detroit Red Wings draft picks. Forward Carter Mazur, a native of Jackson, Michigan, is one of the team's stars.
The BU Bruins have a rich history in hockey. They have been in the NCAA tournament thrice since 1949 and are ranked among the top teams in the nation. During 2008-09, they won four games while losing just one. They played in the Walter Brown Arena until its replacement, Harry Agganis Arena. The team won the Beanpot tournament in the final round of the regular season.
In the past, Boston University's hockey team has won four national championships. Their most recent appearances in the NCAA tournament were in the 2006-07 season when they defeated the University of Nebraska-Omaha 9-2. They fell short against Boston College in the regional final, but they did take home the championship that year. Several key players from that year's team have been a part of the program for several seasons. Junior goalie John Curry and sophomore forward Pete MacArthur have also contributed to the team's success.
There is no doubt that Quinnipiac is among the top college hockey teams in the country right now. They've been ranked No. 2 this season and have been to the NCAA Tournament twice. With their stellar play this season, the Bobcats are rightfully considered one of the best teams in the country. The Bobcats are a perennial power in the college game and should be in the running for Frozen Four berths regularly.
The Bobcats have put up a strong showing in recent seasons, with a record of 12-3-1 and a tie for second place in their conference. With such an intense schedule and impressive players, the Bobcats may be poised to have a long postseason run. However, their overall success is still quite far from certain, as they finished eighth in the latest NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Rankings, which has only increased since the beginning of the season.
The Northeastern Huskies men's ice hockey team represents Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. The team is led by head coach Bill Daly and features an all-American line-up. The team has a strong tradition of winning the ECAC regular season and playoffs. In addition, the Huskies have won five of their last six games. A team without a winning streak is considered to be underachieving.
The Northeastern Huskies hockey team represents Northeastern University, a private university in Boston, Massachusetts. The Huskies are members of the Hockey East Association conference and play in NCAA Division I. They've won three Hockey East Association championships and seven Beanpot tournaments. In addition, their men's and women's teams are nationally ranked. This season, the Huskies' winning streak is the longest in the school's history.
Several factors can influence the future of a college hockey team, including recruiting, talent, and funding. A top program with great resources and a high profile is an excellent place to start. But a program must also be able to develop players from within its program. This cannot be easy if the program does not have a proven formula for success. For example, the Michigan Wolverines are likely to struggle to find enough talent in their system and may be unable to recruit top players unless the team does something special.
The University of Michigan's college hockey program has had many notable alums make the big leagues. This includes Dylan Larkin, Matt Niskanen, and Jack Johnson. In addition, the team has hosted a Guinness verified record-breaking world game, "The Big Chill." Some Michigan players have won professional championships and honors. Former University of Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson helped the team achieve its success and became a legend. Among the other notable alums is former Detroit Red Wings player Rick Zombo.
The Boston University Terriers have a rich history in college hockey. In the 1970s, the Terriers won the Beanpot, ECAC title, and national championship. In 1971, they moved to Walter Brown Arena. The new arena was the dream of Jack Kelley, who spent only one season as BU's head coach. In 1972, Terry Parker became the head coach. Parker was a former Terrier, having played for the school from 1965 to 1968.
BU had a disappointing season in 2003-2004. They finished with a losing record and missed the NCAA tournament. However, in 2005, BU reached the Beanpot and won it. In that year, BU won the Beanpot over Northeastern. They also won the College Cup against Minnesota, while Chris Bourque, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, scored an overtime goal in a game against Northeastern.