NCHC finalizes 2026-27 conference regular season, playoff format, announces only eight teams make playoffs in 2025, 2026

The NCHC has finalized the 10-team playoff model the conference will use starting in 2027 when St. Thomas begins NCHC play. The conference announced back in May that the Tommies will join the NCHC as its 10th team beginning with the 2026-27 season. All 10 teams will make the NCHC tournament when St. Thomas becomes an official … Read more

Top goal scorer Steeves leaves Minnesota Duluth after two seasons, signs deal with NHL’s Panthers

Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Ben Steeves has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Florida Panthers, giving up his remaining NCAA eligibility. Steeves spent the past two seasons as a Bulldog and was a two-time Hobey Baker Memorial Trophy nominee. In 72 career games at UMD, the Bedford, N.H., native tallied 45 goals and … Read more

North Dakota’s Blake named NCHC player of year for ’23-24 season, Colorado College’s Mbereko top goalie, Denver’s Buium bags rookie honors, Tigers’ Mayotte best coach

The NCHC has announced its 2023-2024 individual award winners. Six different teams were represented among the winners, led by multiple award winners from Colorado College, Denver and North Dakota. Taking home top honors on the night were North Dakota sophomore forward Jackson Blake, who earned player of the year and forward of the year, while … Read more

NCHC reveals two all-conference squads for 2023-24 college hockey season, one team of honorable mention players

The NCHC has announced its 2023-24 all-conference teams. Four teams are represented on the first team, led by two each from Colorado College and Denver. The Pioneers placed four players on the two all-conference squads to pace all teams. 2023-24 First Team All-NCHC F: Jackson Blake, So., North Dakota – 45 points (15 first-team votes) … Read more

Minnesota Duluth AD Karr set to succeed Bertagna, will take over as American Hockey Coaches Association executive director July 1

Minnesota Duluth athletic director Forrest Karr is set to become the next executive director of the American Hockey Coaches Association. Karr has been chosen to succeed Joe Bertagna, the AHCA’s first and only executive director, who ends his 32-year tenure on June 30. Karr, who is in his 19th year overall as a director of … Read more

Minnesota Duluth’s Spicer ruled academically ineligible for second half of 2023-24 college hockey season

Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Cole Spicer is academically ineligible and will not play for the Bulldogs the second half of the current 2023-24 season. Spicer can practice but cannot play in games. Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandelin told the Duluth News-Tribune that “we’ll figure it out.” “Guys are going to get a chance,” Sandelin said … Read more

NCHC announces change in playoff format, will move exclusively to campus sites beginning with 2026 postseason tournament

Beginning with the 2026 conference tournament, the NCHC will be moving its playoffs entirely to campus sites. The decision was approved unanimously by the NCHC’s board of directors on Monday. The 2026 NCHC tournament and beyond will be played over three weeks. The biggest change sees the semifinals move to single elimination at two campus … Read more

NCHC suspends Minnesota Duluth’s Loheit one game for major cross-checking penalty Nov. 17 against St. Cloud State

The NCHC announced Saturday that the conference has issued a one-game suspension to Minnesota Duluth grad student forward Luke Loheit. The suspension stems from a stick infraction during the Bulldogs game against St. Cloud State Nov. 17 at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. At the end of Friday night’s game, Loheit was assessed a … Read more

2023-24 NCHC Season Preview: Coming off no Frozen Four appearances in 2023, conference teams aiming to ‘maximize their chances’ this year

Many people in and around the college hockey world will tell you that the 2022-23 season was a down one for the NCHC. On the surface, at least, it’s not hard to see why someone would think that. The NCHC is 10 years old now, and aside from the 2020 NCAA tournament that never was … Read more

Longtime Minnesota Duluth goaltender coach Nicklin elevated to assistant coach with Bulldogs men’s hockey team

Minnesota Duluth has elevated the role of longtime goaltender coach Brant Nicklin to assistant coach. Nicklin has been a volunteer assistant coach for the Bulldogs men staff since the 2014-15 season, and prior to joining the men, served as the UMD women’s goaltending coach from 2009 to 2014. Nicklin was on coaching staff for the … Read more

After adding Arizona State for 2024-25 season, NCHC announces postseason format for 2025 conference playoffs

After announcing in July the addition of Arizona State as its ninth member starting with the 2024-25 season, the NCHC has finalized its 2025 conference tournament postseason format. The new playoff model was unanimously approved by the NCHC Athletic Council (member athletic directors). All nine teams will qualify for the NCHC playoffs in 2025. A … Read more

Minnesota Duluth blueliner Francis announces cancer relapse, will miss first half of ’23-24 college hockey season

Minnesota Duluth junior defenseman Will Francis announced today that his cancer has returned and he’ll miss the first half of the upcoming 2023-24 season. He plans on returning to the team in January. A statement from @UMDMensHockey junior defenseman Will Francis. At this time, Will is not available for any further comment. pic.twitter.com/WAld9QyRxC — UMD … Read more

Western Michigan’s Polin named NCHC player of year, Denver’s Chrona top goalie, North Dakota’s Blake best rookie for ’22-23 campaign

On the eve of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff in St. Paul, Minn., the conference named its major award winners Thursday night. Western Michigan’s Jason Polin took home player of the year and forward of the year honors, while WMU’s Pat Ferschweiler was named Herb Brooks coach of the year. Denver’s Magnus Chrona was named goaltender … Read more