More than a decade after college hockey’s sweeping conference overhaul, haters of change are quick to point out that the last men’s hockey national championship won by a Big Ten team came in 2007, when Michigan State (then members of the old CCHA) upset Boston College in St. Louis.

With the NCAA Frozen Four back just steps away from the Gateway Arch in April 2025 and the Big Ten loaded with talent, optimists believe this could be the year they bring the game’s top trophy back to East Lansing, Minneapolis or another home . rink in this seven-team conglomerate. As conference play begins in earnest this weekend, here’s a top-to-bottom look at B1G hockey in the order they were voted in the annual preseason coaches poll:

Michigan State

Last season: first in Big Ten, 25-10-3 overall, 16-6-2 in Big Ten

In many ways, 2024 was a dream season for the Spartans, who were Big Ten doormats for a decade before the arrival of coach Adam Nightingale in 2022, who breathed new life into MSU’s program. They won the regular season and conference tournament titles last March, only to have their season end in the worst way a Spartans fan could imagine: an NCAA Regional loss to archrival Michigan. With plenty of offensive talent and the league’s best goalie returning in top Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine, nothing less than a return to St. Louis for two wins in April will be a good fit for hockey hungry fans in East Lansing.

Minnesota

Last season: third in Big Ten, 23-11-5 overall, 13-7-4 in Big Ten

There is no banner hanging in Mariucci’s 3M Arena from last season, which has been rare in Bob Motzko’s run as Gophers coach. After three straight years with a Big Ten title, Minnesota fell one game out of the Frozen Four last March. But the coach touted his defensive corps as the deepest he’s ever fielded, and in October, Minnesota’s offense scored goals at a remarkable clip, with a mix of familiar faces and newcomers like Matthew Wood, a from the Predators first round that came. from UConn in the transfer portal. After not winning the NCAA title in 2023, many believe this is the team that will get Motzko his first ring.

Michigan

Last season: fourth in Big Ten, 23-15-3 overall, 11-11-2 in Big Ten

Opening NHL rosters featured 26 former Wolverines, which is good for fans of the corn and blue. The bad news is that Rutger McGroarty was included on that list after signing with Pittsburgh in late August, when he was expected to return to Ann Arbor to spearhead Michigan’s offense. Never short on talent, the Wolverines have instead gotten a hot start from rookie Michael Hage, a Canadiens first-rounder who has seven points in his first six games. If the goaltending, currently split between rookie Cameron Korpi and Ferris State transfer Logan Stein, can keep Michigan in games, a fourth straight trip to the Frozen Four is on the line.

Wisconsin

Last season: second in Big Ten, 26-12-2 overall, 16-7-1 in Big Ten

For starters, Mike Hastings’ coaching debut was almost flawless last season. Coming to Wisconsin after a decade of success at Minnesota State Mankato, Hastings brought the Badgers back into the college hockey consciousness. They were atop the national polls in their first two months on the job and finished one win shy of the Big Ten title. But year two has been a struggle so far, with Wisconsin off to a 1-5-0 start that includes being swept in Madison by Ohio State in the conference opener for both teams. Hastings’ style has always been defense first, so maybe these are just growing pains as he implements his system in Madison.

Notre Dame

Last season: fifth in Big Ten, 15-19-2 overall, 9-13-2 in Big Ten

A storybook ending would have Irish coach Jeff Jackson hanging up the whistle in April after another run to the Frozen Four and a third NCAA title on his resume. If that happens, it will take some masterful coaching from Jackson, who announced over the summer that this season would be his last. Known for a defensive style, the Irish have a true offensive star in Cole Knuble, who has 10 points in the first six games this season after a slower-than-expected rookie campaign a year ago. The bigger challenge is in goal, where Mercyhurst transfer Owen Say and freshman Nicholas Kempf are battling to replace star puck-stopper Ryan Bischel.

Penn State

Last season: sixth in Big Ten, 15-18-3 overall, 7-14-3 in Big Ten

The Nittany Lions come to Minnesota for their conference opener this weekend after already crossing the continent in October, sweeping a series in Alaska, suffering their only loss at Quinnipiac in Connecticut and winning a pair against St. Lawrence in Hockey Valley last weekend. It’s no surprise to see Big Ten All-Rookie Aiden Fink and power forward Danny Dzhaniyev leading the charge for the Lions’ first offense. Perhaps less expected was the hot start in goal for Arsenii Sergeev, who came to Penn State via the transfer portal after posting good, not great, numbers the past two seasons at UConn.

Ohio State

Last season: seventh in Big Ten, 14-20-4 overall, 4-18-2 in Big Ten

Last season can be accurately described as a flop for the Buckeyes, who never recovered after winning just two of their first 10 conference games. But a playoff upset at Wisconsin provided some optimism heading into the summer, and Ohio State went 5-0-1 in October, which included a sweep of the Badgers in Madison. Buckeyes coach Steve Rohlik has two defensemen who came to Columbus through the transfer portal leading his offense so far and has a Big Ten rarity in goal — experience. The tandem of Logan Terness and Kristoffer Eberly has split the crease so far and will be key if the Buckeyes are to defy expectations.