Explore every episode of the podcast USCHO Weekend Review

College hockey players may now have five years of eligibility—but House settlement roster limits leave participating programs with only 26 roster spots.

In Episode 2 of the USCHO Weekend Review Offseason series, Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Robert Morris coach Derek Schooley examine how the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model will affect college hockey.

The panel explains why “5-for-5” is an imperfect shorthand, when a player’s five-year clock begins and why the new system may change decisions about junior hockey, college enrollment, redshirts and player development.

Also discussed:

• The five-year clock beginning at the earlier of initial full-time college enrollment or the NCAA’s age-19 trigger

• The important September 1 birthday cutoff

• Why sitting out, transferring or taking time away generally does not stop the clock

• Transition rules for current players and incoming recruits

• Court challenges that have complicated the implementation of the new model

• The 26-player roster limit at House-participating Division I men’s hockey programs

• The end of traditional sport-specific scholarship limits at participating schools

• Temporary roster protection for certain designated student-athletes

• How additional eligibility and limited roster space could change recruiting and roster construction

The group also confronts the ultimate roster-management question: If only one spot remains, do you choose the developmental freshman, the trusted veteran or the elite NHL prospect who may stay for only one season?



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In the first of three USCHO Weekend Review Offseason episodes, Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Robert Morris coach Derek Schooley begin with the serious medical situation involving Arizona State defenseman Matthew Mayich.



Mayich was hospitalized after collapsing during an outdoor team workout in August. The panel discusses the circumstances surrounding the workout, the questions facing Arizona State and the broader responsibilities schools have for athlete safety, oversight and accountability.



The conversation then turns to a series of major changes affecting NCAA hockey:



• How the NCAA’s governance restructuring gives hockey greater authority over sport-specific decisions

• Why Division I men’s and women’s hockey can now take different approaches to playing rules

• New rules and safety measures entering the college game

• The temporary waiver allowing additional institutional staff members to provide technical and tactical instruction

• Whether expanded player-development staffs will create a competitive arms race

• The push toward a longer college hockey schedule—and why a 40-game maximum has not yet been approved



The episode examines how these developments fit together and whether college hockey is beginning to govern itself with more independence than ever before.



Recorded September 2, 2026. The Matthew Mayich discussion reflects information publicly available at the time of recording.



Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

The 2026 NHL Draft begins tonight in Buffalo, and college hockey could be headed for a historic first round.

In this USCHO NHL Draft Special, Jim Connelly looks at the growing number of first-round prospects with college hockey ties, including current NCAA players and incoming college-bound players from the CHL, USHL, NTDP and international paths.

The episode features insight from NHL Central Scouting’s Dave Gregory on how scouts evaluate prospects across different leagues and development routes, including why college hockey can provide important context for draft-eligible players competing against older, stronger opponents.

Also featured:

• Gavin McKenna and what Penn State revealed about his NHL projection
• Tynan Lawrence and Oscar Hemming adjusting to Hockey East midseason
• Brady Knowling, the top-ranked North American goaltender
• Chase Reid, Carson Carels and Keaton Verhoeff among the high-end defensemen
• Names to know among the top college-linked North American skaters
• A dark horse first-round name to watch


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Episode 3 of our 2026 NHL Draft Preview series looks at two Hockey East forwards who are drawing NHL Draft attention: Tynan Lawrence of Boston University and Oscar Hemming of Boston College.

Each joined their respective teams in January. Lawrence finished his freshman season at BU with 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points in 18 games, while Hemming posted 1 goal and 7 assists for 8 points in 19 games for Boston College.

In this episode, BU coach Jay Pandolfo and BC coach Greg Brown join USCHO's Jim Connelly. They break down how to evaluate both players beyond the stat line, what their roles showed in Hockey East, and why NHL teams will be looking closely at their projection heading into the 2026 NHL Draft.

Featured players:

Tynan Lawrence — Boston University
Oscar Hemming — Boston College

This is part of our 2026 NHL Draft Preview series, focused on college hockey players, NCAA prospects, and college-linked names to know before the draft.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Gavin McKenna is one of the most talked-about players in the 2026 NHL Draft, and after a season at Penn State, his college hockey experience adds important context to his evaluation.

Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky joins Jim Connelly and USCHO’s 2026 NHL Draft Special to discuss what stood out about McKenna from the start, how his game developed over the season, what college hockey demanded from him, and what fans should understand beyond the highlights, rankings and draft attention.

Topics include:
• What made Gavin McKenna special from the start
• How his game developed at Penn State
• What college hockey revealed about his NHL projection
• Playing against older, stronger NCAA competition
• How elite players adjust when opponents key on them
• What fans may miss when judging top draft prospects
• Penn State’s role in McKenna’s development path


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

The 2026 NHL Draft is just days away, and USCHO kicks off its draft coverage with Dave Gregory, Associate Director of NHL Central Scouting.

In this conversation, Gregory explains how NHL Central Scouting’s rankings come together, what fans should understand about the evaluation process, and how scouts compare prospects across college hockey, junior hockey, international leagues and other development paths.

We also discuss what college hockey can reveal about draft-eligible players, how scouts look beyond statistics and highlight clips, what the NHL Scouting Combine adds to the process, and which types of players may be getting less public attention but could still make a real impact in the future.

Topics include:
• How to understand NHL Central Scouting rankings
• Comparing NCAA, CHL, USHL, NTDP and international prospects
• What college hockey reveals about draft-eligible players
• Why production does not always tell the full story
• Evaluating forwards, defensemen and goaltenders
• What the NHL Combine adds to the process
• Players and traits that may be under-discussed before draft day



Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review major off-season topics that have surfaced in the month since the end of the season.

They begin by focusing on the NCAA’s proposed five-year-to-play-five-seasons eligibility model that would start at high school graduation (or a player’s 19th birthday) and could reduce eligibility for future incoming freshmen, impacting junior hockey pathways, parity, scholarships, APR/graduation rates, and creating uncertainty amid the portal, NIL, and other changes. They note widespread opposition, potential revisions, and upcoming NCAA discussion dates.

This episode also addresses House v. NCAA roster limits (26 with calls for 27+ and in-season injury replacements), debates about breaking from the NCAA versus more sport autonomy, proposals to expand games/practices and add limited non-recruiting on-ice staff, and tournament format ideas.

They close with notes on Frozen Four viewership in Las Vegas and recent coaching changes.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

In a special offseason USCHO Report, Jim Connelly interviews ECAC commissioner Doug Christiansen about an NCAA proposal to change the eligibility window to align with high school graduation or a player’s 19th birthday. In this episode, Christiansen explains that this would have major consequences for college hockey, with 75% of players potentially losing a year of eligibility given the sport’s average player age of 20.6. 

Christiansen describes ongoing, collaborative discussions with the NCAA, NHL, USA Hockey, and development leagues. The talks emphasize hockey’s unique development path through junior hockey and that the proposed rule was not designed for hockey.


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In Part 1, we look at how Denver, Michigan, North Dakota, and Wisconsin made it to the Frozen Four. And we comment on the unfortunate news of the announced cancellation of men's hockey program at Mercyhurst.

In Part 2, we analyze the story lines of the four teams and the distractions for teams with the tournament being in Las Vegas.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) to give a quick Sunday night take on the NCAA Men's D-I regional finals and the field for the Frozen Four: Denver, Michigan, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment, we review the six conference championships that were decided over Friday and Saturday nights.

In our second segment, we look forward to the NCAA men's D-I ice hockey regionals in Albany, Loveland, Sioux Falls, and Worcester.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) analyze the NCAA's 2026 Men's D-I ice hockey bracket as announced on March 22, 2026.

Final bracket:

Albany Region

1. Michigan (1)
2. Minnesota Duluth
3. Penn State
4. Bentley

Loveland Region

1. Western Michigan (4)
2. Denver
3. Cornell
4. Minnesota State 

Sioux Falls Region

1. North Dakota (2)
2. Providence
3. Quinnipiac
4. Merrimack 

Worcester Region

1. Michigan State (3)
2. Dartmouth
3. Wisconsin
4. Connecticut

See the full bracket with dates, times, and TV networks at https://www.uscho.com/ncaa-mens-division-i-ncaa-tournament

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at our final projected bracket after the games of Saturday, March 21, on this special episode of Bracketology XTRA. The tournament bracket will be announced at 3 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Here is the final projected bracket:

Albany

• Michigan (1)
• Minnesota Duluth
• Cornell
• Bentley (AHA autobid)

Loveland

• Western Michigan (4)
• Denver (host)
• Wisconsin
• Minnesota State (CCHA autobid)

Sioux Falls

• North Dakota (2)
• Providence
• Quinnipiac
• Merrimack (Hockey East autobid)

Worcester

• Michigan State (3)
• Dartmouth
• Penn State
• Connecticut

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment, we look at a weekend in which four conference No. 1 seeds were ousted from their league tournaments. Then we analyze what's at stake this weekend.

In our second segment, we look at how each conference's playoffs work, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Apologies for some audio difficulties.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at where things stand on Monday, March 16, 2026 after a weekend of upsets in this episode of Bracketology XTRA.

Here is the updated bracket:

Albany

• Michigan (1)
• Providence
• Cornell
• Bentley (AHA autobid placeholder)

Loveland

• Western Michigan (4)
• Denver (host)
• Wisconsin
• St. Thomas

Sioux Falls

• North Dakota (2)
• Dartmouth
• Penn State
• Connecticut

Loveland

• Michigan State (3)
• Minnesota Duluth
• Quinnipiac
• Massachusetts

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the March 11, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode of Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:

Albany

• Michigan (1)
• Minnesota Duluth
• Cornell
• Bentley (AHA autobid placeholder)

Worcester

• Western Michigan (4)
• Providence
• Wisconsin
• Massachusetts

Loveland

• Michigan State (3)
• Denver
• Dartmouth
• St. Thomas

Sioux Falls

• North Dakota (2)
• Quinnipiac
• Penn State
• Augustana

For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/03/11/bracketology-a-must-swap-situation-to-protect-attendance/

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

In this episode, we consider 10 candidates for the Hockey Commissioners Association's Tim Taylor rookie of the year award, including two tiers of forwards, a defenseman, and three goalies.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment, we look back at a mostly quarterfinal weekend in college hockey that saw a lot of overtime, but with every higher seed advancing.

In our second segment, we look at five NPI bubble teams, why they are on the bubble, and how they can get (or stay) inside.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the March 4, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode of Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:

Albany

• Michigan State (2 overall)
• Quinnipiac
• Minnesota Duluth
• Connecticut

Worcester

• Western Michigan (4)
• Penn State
• Dartmouth
• Boston College

Loveland

• Michigan (1)
• Denver
• Cornell
• Bentley (AHA)

Sioux Falls

• North Dakota (3)
• Providence
• Wisconsin
• Augustana


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/03/04/bracketology-current-npi-gives-us-a-straightforward-approach/

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour



Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

In this episode, Jim takes over hosting duties as Derek and Ed try to guess bubble teams from their resumé and statistics.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment, we look at a weekend that saw the top 10 go 8-9-3 and the top 20 barely squeak above .500. And we note regular-season conference champions.

In our second segment, we analyze the chances for the 10 Mike Richter award semifinalists.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the February 25, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode of Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:


ALBANY REGION

Michigan State (1)
Minnesota Dulth
Cornell
Bentley (AHA rep)

WORCESTER REGION

Western Michigan (4)
Providence
Dartmouth
Connecticut

LOVELAND REGION


Michigan (2)
Quinnipiac
Denver
St. Thomas

SIOUX FALLS REGION

North Dakota (3)
Penn State
Boston College
Wisconsin

For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/02/25/bracketology-building-the-bracket-with-bands-not-seeds/

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

In this episode, we consider teams who are outside the NPI "bubble," meaning they almost certainly will need to win their conference championship to make the NCAA tournament, but have a reasonable chance of doing so.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment, we look at the USA gold medal in men's olympic hockey, including how USA Hockey's NTDP and development model helped make it happen, and the impact of it on hockey in the U.S.

In our second segment, we look at important weekends for Wisconsin, Minnesota State, Boston College, Providence, and Bentley, plus a little chaos in the ECAC.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the February 18, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode of Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:

LOVELAND REGION

Michigan State (1)
Denver
Minnesota Duluth
Bentley (AHA rep)

WORCESTER REGION

Western Michigan (4)
Penn State
Connecticut
Boston College

SIOUX FALLS REGION

North Dakota (3)
Quinnipiac
Dartmouth
Wisconsin

ALBANY REGION

Michigan (2)
Providence
Cornell
St. Thomas

For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/02/18/bracketology-an-attendance-swap-that-is-a-must/

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

In the NPI, four teams from the CCHA stand at Nos. 16 through 19: Minnesota State, Augustana, Michigan Tech, and Bowling Green, with many games against each other. What does each team need to do to be in position for an at-large NCAA bid?

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment, we look at some sweeps and five-point weekends. North Dakota, Denver, and Western Michigan got NCHC sweeps while Michigan in the Big Ten and UConn in Hockey East picked up five.

In our second segment, we discuss the implications of a late-season bye week as four top-20 teams had last weekend off.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the February 11, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode of Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:


LOVELAND REGION

1) Michigan State (1 overall)
4) Bentley (AHA rep)

2) Cornell
3) Denver (host)

WORCESTER REGION

1) Michigan (2)
4) Connecticut

2) Dartmouth
3) Minnesota Duluth

SIOUX FALLS REGION

1) North Dakota (3)
4) Wisconsin

2) Providence
3) Quinnipiac

ALBANY REGION

1) Western Michigan (4)
4) St. Thomas

2) Penn State
3) Boston College


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/02/11/bracketology-a-new-no-1-and-some-attendance-concerns

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

We look at seven teams on either side of the bubble and play buy or sell on whether they'll be in the NCAA tournament: UConn, Boston College, Quinnipiac, Minnesota State, Wisconsin, Miami, and St. Thomas.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment: Michigan and Michigan State had their big two-game showdown, Providence has made it nine in a row, Bentley is inching toward an AHA regular-season title, and the CCHA is in a squeeze for the top. It's also Beanpot final Monday, McKenna's felony charge was dropped, and Gotkin hits a milestone.

In our second segment: Looking at teams under pressure, including Wisconsin, Minnesota Duluth, Western Michigan, and Augustana.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

Jim and Ed recap the latest information on the Gavin McKenna legal charges made on Wednesday and Derek joins them to discuss from a coach's perspective.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the January 28, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:

ALBANY REGION

1) Michigan (1 overall)
4) Bentley (AHA representative)

2) Minnesota Duluth
3) Quinnipiac

WORCESTER REGION

1) Western Michigan (4)
4) St. Thomas

2) Penn State
3) Boston College

SIOUX FALLS REGION

1) North Dakota (3)
4) Wisconsin

2) Providence
3) Dartmouth

LOVELAND REGION

1) Michigan State (2)
4) Augustana

2) Cornell
3) Denver (host)


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/02/04/bracketology-what-happens-if-attendance-isnt-the-priority

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

Teams near the top of the NPI are still not 100% in the NCAA tournament, though many are close. We look at the NPI and discuss which teams near the top are bubble-proof, bubble-steady, bubble-fragile ... or on life support.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

Michigan and Michigan State each had five-point weekends to keep pace in the Big Ten – including an OT win for the Spartans over Penn State at a spectacular outdoor game at Beaver Stadium – while Wisconsin's losing streak reached six. Denver rebounded against Minnesota Duluth, while Dartmouth returned to winning ways and Boston College took the 299th Battle of Commonwealth Avenue over Boston University.

We also look how leagues have shifted overall in the NPI and at individual teams that have moved up the most.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the January 28, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode Bracketology XTRA.

Hockey East has three participants in this week's updated bracket:

ALBANY REGION

1) Michigan (1 overall)
4) Bentley

2) Quinnipiac
3) Wisconsin

WORCESTER REGION

1) Michigan State (2)
4) Connecticut

2) Providence
3) Cornell

SIOUX FALLS REGION

1) North Dakota (3)
4) Boston College

2) Minnesota Duluth
3) St. Thomas

LOVELAND REGION

1) Penn State (4)
4) Denver

2) Western Michigan
3) Dartmouth


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/01/28/bracketology-less-chaos-this-week-as-ncaas-approach

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

This week we discuss whether Penn State is "for real," including their resumé, their identity, their goaltending tandem, and how they match up against different styles of play.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

Teams on a hot streak kept it going over the weekend as Penn State, Michigan State, Providence, Western Michigan, St. Thomas, and Cornell swept their opponents. UConn picked up a pair of wins for its second straight Connecticut Ice title.

We also look at the NPI and how it has changed the potential number of teams for each conference significantly in the past two weeks.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the January 22, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode Bracketology XTRA.

A regional 4th seed move should help attendance:

ALBANY REGION

1) Michigan (1 overall)
4) Bentley

2) Wisconsin
3) Quinnipiac

WORCESTER REGION

1) Minnesota Duluth (4)
4) Boston College

2) Western Michigan
3) Providence

SIOUX FALLS REGION

1) North Dakota (3)
4) Augustana

2) Penn State
3) Cornell

LOVELAND REGION

1) Michigan State (2)
4) St. Thomas

2) Dartmouth
3) Denver


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/01/21/bracketology-shifting-teams-necessary-to-protect-attendance

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

This week is another round of "Buy or Sell" on these four propositions:

1. All four number one NCAA tournament seeds will come from the Big Ten or NCHC.
2. College hockey will have a 40 goal scorer this season.
3. The CCHA will earn more NCAA bids than Hockey East.
4. The Big Ten finally wins its national championship this season.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

The biggest highlight is Michigan State's road sweep of Wisconsin, which has major implications for the Big Ten standings and NCAA tournament positioning.

Other discussions include the chaos in the CCHA with strong performances from Michigan Tech, St. Thomas, and Augustana, as well as the Governor's Cup rivalry between Alaska Anchorage and Fairbanks.

The show also covers a controversial fight between UMass Lowell and BU players, resulting in extended suspensions, and a four-year contract extension for Michigan's Brandon Naurato.

The episode concludes with opinions on the new 15-day window for the transfer portal, aimed at reducing disruption in college hockey.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the latest Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode Bracketology XTRA.

Four western No. 1 seeds and some pretty good attendance possibilities highlight this week's bracket:

ALBANY REGION

1) Michigan (1 overall)
4) Bentley

2) Michigan State
3) Cornell

WORCESTER REGION

1) Minnesota Duluth (4)
4) Providence

2) Western Michigan
3) Quinnipiac

SIOUX FALLS REGION

1) North Dakota (2)
4) Princeton

2) Penn State
3) Augustana

LOVELAND REGION

1) Wisconsin (3)
4) St. Thomas

2) Dartmouth
3) Denver


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/01/15/bracketology-all-eyes-on-attendance-when-building-brackets

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

We discuss the impacts of No. 1 Michigan losing star freshman goalie Jack Ivankovic possibly long-term and Providence losing senior starter Philip Svedeback but adding ECHL goaltender Michael Simpson to support freshman Jack Parsons.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

This episode discusses Michigan's dominating performance against Notre Dame despite key injuries, Minnesota Duluth's surprising offense, Western Michigan's resurgence, and key wins for Quinnipiac and Providence. The team also dives deep into the NPI and how it compares to the old PairWise system.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

One month after our first analysis of the NPI, we compare and contrast the teams "inside the bubble" in each, and look at which teams are pretty safe and which have work to do.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

They note that St. Cloud State and Arizona State got boosts to their season with tournament wins, while RIT and Army West Point pulled off upsets. Maine's strong weekend at Denver is also among games highlighted.

They also look at disappointing results for the U.S. and Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championship and the pressure on players on that stage.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

They discuss the long semester break in college hockey and the impact of players participating in the IIHF World Junior Championshiop and the Spengler Cup, and tackle the question about whether the break is too long.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

First they catch up on the IIHF World Junior Championship with USA at 3-0-0-0 heading into its New Year's Eve game with Sweden, and on Canada and its college hockey representation. They also note what could be some attendance issues for non-USA games.

They also look at the Spengler Cup, where the U.S. Collegiate Selects surprised the world, but were disappointed in a 6-3 loss to HC Davos.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

In this episode, we look at five categories of superlatives: team of the first half, biggest plot twist, most worrisome big brand, most under-the-radar team, and prediction we each feel best about for 2026.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

First, they discuss the emotional farewell to Matthews Arena, highlighting its historical significance and the challenges faced in replacing such an iconic venue. The conversation shifts to the implications for Northeastern's hockey team during the construction of a new arena, including potential impacts on recruiting and game locations.

They also note some weekend performances, including key games for Dartmouth, UNH, Maine, and Augustana.

The episode concludes with an analysis of the current NPI standings, exploring the potential tournament bids for teams across different conferences, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Big Ten, NCHC, ECAC, and Hockey East.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

In this episode, we look at teams that are ranked in the USCHO poll much lower than in the NPI and also the opposite, the teams poll voters love but the computer doesn't. We give our take on which is closer at assessing the teams at the season's midpoint.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts