College Hockey Conference Tournament Primer: Top Players, Teams & NCAA Prospects

The NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament is nearly upon us, but there's still plenty that needs to be decided in conference tournaments before teams begin the battle on the road to the Frozen Four. Several of the nation's top conferences boast plenty of bubble teams that will need to put forth strong play across the next few weeks if they hope to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Let's take a look at some of the top storylines to monitor as programs compete for conference titles.

Check out all our Fantasy Hockey Prospects analysis, breaking down both NHL-drafted players and draft-eligible options from NCAA, juniors and international competitions. 

ECAC Tournament Preview: Key Players to Watch

The ECAC is on track to send three teams (Quinnipiac, Cornell and Dartmouth) to the NCAA Tournament regardless of who wins the conference tournament. All games will be available on ESPN+. 

Ethan Wyttenbach, F, Quinnipiac

Wyttenbach is the nation's runaway points leader with 57 points (24 goals, 33 assists) through 36 games. The closest to reaching him is T.J. Hughes (Michigan) with 47 points. While the ECAC isn't as competetive as the Big Ten, Wyttenbach has accomplished this as a true freshman who just turned 19 years old last month. Quinnipiac could play up to nine more games, so there's a possibility he can catch Jack Eichel, Will Smith and Kyle Connor for the most points by a freshman in this century (71). 

Jonathan Castagna, F, Cornell

After a disappointing sophomore campaign, Castagna has bounced back with authority this season, leading the Big Red in goals (14) and points (32) through 29 games with only two goals coming on the power play. He's a strong skater who still has room to grow on special teams, but his two-way play and 6-foot-2 stature could help him eventually carve out a role at the next level. 

Alexis Cournoyer, G, Cornell

The 2025 fifth-round pick was passed over the first time he entered the draft, but he was exceptional in the QMJHL last season and has continued the momentum as a freshman at Cornell. Cournoyer has been a frequent flyer in the ECAC Goalie of the Week column, putting up a .917 save percentage and a 2.02 GAA through 23 games. Cornell has a superb blue line that makes things easier for goalies, but the 6-foot-4 netminder is a major reason the Big Red are playoff bound. 

NCHC Standouts and Tournament Implications

North Dakota, Western Michigan, Denver and Minnesota-Duluth are virtual locks to make the NCAA Tournament. Winning the NCHC tournament is still quite important for seeding, although it does look like North Dakota should be locked into No. 1 seed at the Sioux Falls Regional at this point. These games will be available on NCHC.tv.

Cole Reschny, F, North Dakota

Reschny is third on the team with 31 points (five goals, 26 assists) through 30 games. The Saskatoon product started scoring at a high rate late last season in the WHL, and it hasn't quite translated to college, as he has scored on just 8.6 percent of his shots. That's concerning for his overall projection at the next level. However, Reschny has plenty of time to develop as a finisher and can contribute plenty as a playmaker in the meantime. 

Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota

Verhoeff likely isn't in the conversation for the No. 1 spot anymore, but that's more because Gavin McKenna has been on a torrid pace since World Juniors rather than any faults in Verhoeff's game. While Verhoeff will enter March in a bit of a cold spell, he still has six goals and 20 points through 30 games while averaging 19:16 of ice time as a 17-year-old freshman. The 6-foot-4 blueliner has a heavy shot that we'd like to see a bit more during tournament play. 

William Whitelaw, F, Western Michigan

Whitelaw is on his third team in three years but finally looks like he's putting everything together with 18 goals and 14 assists through 34 games, averaging 17:42 of ice time in the process. He's in a favorable system for his game where he's finally able to drive the offense despite his 5-foot-9 stature. 

Max Plante, F, Minnesota-Duluth

Max and his brother, Zam, are having phenomenal seasons. Max has produced 22 goals and 23 assists while Zam has added 16 goals and 25 assists through 34 games. Zam is a bit more dependent on the power play for his success with nine of his goals there while Max has eight. Most importantly, Max has the edge being 18 months younger. He's quite creative in the offensive zone and control the flow with his 5-foot-11 frame. He's eating major minutes right now as well. The Bulldogs will go as far as the Plante brothers go. 

Eric Pohlkamp, D, Denver

Pohlkamp should be a Hobey Baker finalist right now. He leads the Pioneers in goals (16) and points (34) from the blue line, and he has 22 points through 24 NCHC games. The Minnesota product has perhaps the best slap shot in the nation, and he has been impressive defensively all year, displaying effective physicality with his dense 5-foot-11 frame. Much like Zeev Buium last season, Pohlkamp's performance will propel Denver's postseason run. 

Adam Gajan, G, Minnesota-Duluth

Gajan unfortunately didn't play at all during the Olympics for Slovakia. He'll be the Bulldogs' lead netminder during tournament play after posting a .905 save percentage and a 2.27 GAA through 27 games. It's worth noting that his play has dropped off in conference action, as he has an .896 save percentage and a 7-10-1 record against NCHC opponents. 

Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan

Slukynsky has a .907 save percentage in conference action, and he has been quite sturdy heading into the tournament with 15 wins over his last 19 starts. He matches up well in the first round against Colorado College, whom he gave up just one goal to in a two-game series last month. 

Big Ten Bubble Teams and Breakout Performers

The Big Ten isn't officially in their tournament yet, as six of the seven teams will play this upcoming weekend. Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State all have their tickets punched. We'll still give a rundown of rising players to watch during the tournament, which begins Wednesday, March 11. The first set of games will be on BTN+ while the semifinals and finals will be on BTN. 

Gavin McKenna, F, Penn State  

McKenna has been on an absolute tear since World Juniors, posting nine goals and 28 points over 24 games, including an eight-point performance against Ohio State last month. He's often playing more than 24 minutes per game. His second half has essentially locked up the No. 1 spot in this year's NHL Draft.  

Porter Martone, F, Michigan State

Martone paces the Spartans in goals (21) and points (43) through 30 games, and perhaps more importantly, and he has a whopping 18 goals and 33 points through 22 Big Ten games. The 6-foot-3 freshman is an imposing force on the wing, and he has accrued 3.4 shots per game. 

Charlie Stramel, F, Michigan State

Stramel deserves a ton of credit for his development over four years of college hockey, as he now has 19 goals and 41 points through 32 games. Teaming up with Martone provides significant size to the Spartans' top line and makes it difficult to play against, and their physicality will be key this postseason.

Ryker Lee, F, Michigan State

Lee is incredibly skilled, displaying deceptive hands and a wicked wrist shot. He has averaged just 15:10 of ice time this season, however, amounting to 12 goals and 25 points through 30 games. He's more of a bottom-six player with power-play upside right now. Lee will need another year or two in college before making the leap. 

Michael Hage, F, Michigan

Hage has improved upon a stellar freshman season, producing 45 points through 34 games. However, he continues to struggle in Big Ten action, posting just five goals on 67 shots (7.5 percent) through 24 conference clashes. There's a case for positive regression here after he scored on 15.7 percent of his shots in conference last year. 

Will Horcoff, F, Michigan

Horcoff has avoided Hage's scoring issues, as he has 11 goals in Big Ten play while scoring on 18.6 percent of his shots. He has one of the best wrist shots in the nation and is dangerous once he gets into space, but his 6-foot-5 frame allows him to muck it up in front of the net, too. 

Quinn Finley, F, Wisconsin

Finley can be a frustrating player to watch. He's clearly the Badgers' most-talented forward, but he rarely displays his speed and passes up on shots far too often. He has eight goals through 22 conference games and will need a dominant tournament to raise his pro stock. 

Jackson Smith, D, Penn State  

The 2025 first-round pick continues to handle top-pairing minutes for the Nittany Lions, posting 11 goals and 24 points through 30 games. His offensive output as a defenseman is highly encouraging, and Smith (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) is a smooth, calm defender in his own zone. 

Brodie Ziemer, F, Minnesota  

The Gophers need to win the conference tournament to make the NCAA Tournament, and Ziemer would need to put on a clinic to make that happen. He has been fantastic in Big Ten play with 16 goals and 23 points through 22 games. No other Gopher has more than eight goals in conference action. 

Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State

Augustine constantly makes it difficult for the Spartans' opponents to claw back into games. He has a .929 save percentage and a 2.09 GAA through 30 games. This will likely be his last chance at a national championship before he signs with the Red Wings. 

Jack Ivankovic, G, Michigan

Ivankovic's injury clearly won't be a long-term issue, as he has returned to action and started the Wolverines' last seven games. He has given up three-plus goals in five of those outings, however, dropping him to a .922 save percentage on the season. He'll need to get back to his shutdown ways for a chance at a title. 

Hockey East Teams on the NCAA Tournament Bubble

Hockey East has one more weekend of action before its conference tournament begins on March 11. Providence is the only team that is an essential lock to make the NCAA Tournament, but Boston College, UMass, UConn and Maine are all closing in on the bubble. All games will be available on ESPN+. 

Dean Letourneau, F, Boston College

Once considered a bust after just three points in his freshman year, Letourneau has dominated as a sophomore in a heightened role, recording 19 goals and 15 assists through 32 games while averaging 18:03 of ice time. The 6-foot-7 forward is a strong skater and is aggressive on the forecheck, and his quick release has him scoring on 16.5 percent of his shots. 

James Hagens, F, Boston College

Hagens has developed properly in his second season, taking on a larger role and producing 20 goals and 20 assists through 30 games. He's driving the offense at even strength and has scored just five of his goals on the power play. This lineup is fairly top-heavy still, so Hagens can't afford to get shut down this postseason. 

Sacha Boisvert, F, Boston University

According to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Boisvert will turn pro following the conclusion of the Terriers' season. It's somewhat odd that this is being announced with games left on the schedule, but it's intriguing nonetheless. The 2024 first-round pick was fantastic as a freshman at North Dakota, posting 18 goals and 32 points through 37 games. However, he has taken a significant step back with Boston University, notching three goals and 16 points through 24 games. The 6-foot-3 winger plays a physical game that could translate immediately to the bottom six in Chicago. I'd expect him to spend time in the AHL next year. 

Cole Hutson, D, Boston University

Hutson is also a candidate to turn pro after the season, as he has posted nine goals and 21 assists through 32 games while handling a whopping 25:41 of ice time. That's a step back from last year, but his offensive skills are unique while his defensive duties have been dependable this year. 

Joey Muldowney, F, UConn

Muldowney won't reach the 29-goal mark he put up last year, but he has been quite good despite a slow start, posting 11 goals and eight assists through 20 conference games. The 5-foot-9 forward accrued seven goals and an assist across five postseason games last year. 

Roger McQueen, F, Providence

McQueen leads the red-hot Friars with 26 points through 33 games, including nine goals and as many assists through 22 conference games. The Friars are deep and built to make a run, and John Mustard (Blackhawks) will be a key player as well with a team-high 15 goals. 

Vaclav Nestrasil, F, UMass

Nestrasil has piled up points (27 in 30 games), but he's been merely average against Hockey East opponents, posting just two goals and 10 assists through 20 games. It can take longer for big players to get their footing -- just look at Letourneau -- but it's still encouraging that he's playing a whopping 19:38 per game. 

Michael Hrabal, G, UMass

Hrabal gives UMass a chance to win any game. He has a remarkable .952 save percentage and a 1.55 GAA through 16 conference games, posting a 10-2-1 record through the last 13 matchups. UMass is on the bubble and could need a hero effort or two from Hrabal to secure their spot. 

Tyler Muszelik, G, UConn  

There's a chance, albeit somewhat farfetched, that Muszelik plays in the NHL this year. The Panthers will be sellers at the trade deadline, and Sergei Bobrovsky -- a free agent this summer -- is apparently on the block. A sixth-round pick in 2022, Muszelik would be free to sign with any team he wants in August, but the Panthers retain his rights until then. Perhaps promising some NHL action to the 2022 sixth-round pick could get him to ink his entry-level deal with the Panthers. It certainly wouldn't be undeserved considering his .928 save percentage through 29 games. He could be a valuable fantasy asset if UConn misses the tournament and the Panthers trade Bobrovsky.  

Louka Cloutier, G, Boston College

Cloutier won the No. 1 job after just one start this season, and he has been superb as a 19-year-old freshman. He has been rock-solid in conference action, recording a .916 save percentage and a 2.25 GAA through 21 Hockey East games. The Eagles are a bubble team and will need Cloutier's best to make it into the tournament.