bostonglobe
After placing at least one team in the Frozen Four in five of the previous six seasons, Hockey East endured a tough 2025-26 NCAA tournament, with Providence, UConn, and Merrimack all suffering first-round exits. The league will look to avoid a similar outcome this year, though preseason poll voters appear skeptical. No Hockey East team earned a top-eight ranking, and only Providence and UMass cracked the top 10. Still, the conference's depth is evident, as Boston College, Boston University, and UConn all sit in the top 20, with Merrimack also receiving votes.
Team-by-Team Rundown
Boston College (20-15-1 last season): The Eagles narrowly missed the NCAA tournament, done in by a four-game losing streak to end the regular season. James Hagens has moved on to the Bruins, but Dean Letourneau returns, along with classmates Jake Sondreal and Teddy Stiga. Louka Cloutier is back in net, where he will face competition from freshman Leo Henriquez, a sixth-round pick of the Bruins last June. Oscar Hemming, selected 14th overall by the Blue Jackets in June, returns for his sophomore campaign.
Boston University (17-17-2): After three consecutive Frozen Four appearances, the Terriers took a step back last season and failed to qualify for the tournament. BU enters the year with the youngest roster in the country. Caleb Malhotra, the third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, headlines a six-man freshman class that includes three second-round picks from the past two years. Sophomore Tynan Lawrence returns after being taken 11th overall by the Blues, while Mikhail Yegorev is back in goal for his junior season.
UConn (20-13-5): The Huskies reached the NCAA tournament for the second straight year but saw their season end with a 2-1 loss to Michigan State. Ryan Tattle, whose 32 points led the team last year, is now with the Providence Bruins, but leading goal scorer Joey Muldowney returns for his senior season and will serve as captain. The biggest question mark is in goal, where freshman Veeti Louhivaara and sophomore Kam Hendrickson will compete to replace Tyler Muszelik.
Maine (18-14-3): The Black Bears struggled last season after back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. Nine players departed via the transfer portal, but nine new ones arrived. A return to form from goaltender Albin Boija would be a major boost; a Mike Richter Award finalist as a sophomore, he posted an .899 save percentage as a junior. Tewksbury native Owen Fowler will wear the captain's 'C' after setting career highs in goals (12) and points (22).
UMass (22-13-1): The Minutemen received a significant boost last spring when forward Jack Musa announced he would return for his senior season after recording a career-high 36 points and earning second-team All-American honors. The key question is in goal following the departure of Hockey East Player of the Year Michael Hrabal, who signed with the Mammoth after his junior year. Newbury's Jackson Irving performed well as a backup, and the senior will compete with freshmen Tobias Trejbal and Ethan Eskit.
UMass Lowell (13-22-0): Offense is a concern for the River Hawks, who lost leading goal scorers Dillan Bentley (14) and Jay Ahearn (13) to graduation. Jak Vaarwerk (7-13—20) returns and will serve as captain; he has yet to miss a game, appearing in all 107 since arriving in Lowell three years ago. Hopkinton's Chris Delaney is back for his junior season after leading the team with 17 assists as a sophomore.
Merrimack (21-16-2): The Warriors captured their first conference tournament title with a remarkable run, winning four straight games and defeating the top three seeds along the way. They return 18 players who accounted for 89.1 percent of their scoring from that squad, though goalie Max Lundgren signed with the Bruins. Parker Lalonde, whose 24 assists and 37 points led the Warriors, is back, as is Justin Gill and his team-leading 16 goals.
New Hampshire (14-20-1): North Reading native Brendan Fitzgerald returns for his senior year and will serve as captain. The defenseman led the Wildcats last season with 15 assists and ranked third on the team in points. Hingham's Nick Ring also returns after finishing second on the team in goals (9), assists (12), and points (21). Transfers Teagan Kendrick (Sacred Heart) and Michael Simpson (Providence) will compete for the starting job in goal after Kyle Chauvette joined the Bruins.
Northeastern (17-18-1): The Huskies return one of the nation's top goalies in Lawton Zacher, who was selected to the US Collegiate Selects team that will compete Dec. 26-31 in the Spengler Cup in Switzerland. Leading scorer Dylan Hryckowian signed with the Stars, but the next four top point producers—Jacob Mathieu, Joe Connor, Amine Hajibi, and Giacomo Martino—are back.
Providence (23-11-2): The Friars claimed the regular-season title last year and are expected to contend again. They return eight of their top 10 scorers, led by John Mustard, Logan Sawyer, Tanner Adams, and Will Elger. They also welcome seven freshmen, five of whom are NHL draft picks. Jack Parsons returns in net after being named to the conference's all-rookie team with a 2.05 GAA and a .922 save percentage.
Vermont (13-21-1): The Catamounts had just one player reach 10 goals and 20 points last season. The good news is that Colin Kessler (10-16—26) returns for his junior year. Quinnipiac transfer Dylan Silverstein, who posted a 2.09 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 18 appearances with the Bobcats last season, is the projected starter in goal. The defense looks solid and should be bolstered by the addition of BC transfer Michael Hagens.
Originally reported by bostonglobe.