The road to the 2026 National Championship ends in the desert. The NCAA Men’s Frozen Four will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 9 and 11, 2026.
The field features a combined 33 national championships, including the four winningest programs in college hockey history: Denver (10), Michigan (9), North Dakota (8), and Wisconsin (6).
Michigan Wolverines
NHL affiliates: Asher Barnett, D (Edmonton Oilers), Kienan Draper, F (Detroit Red Wings), Michael Hage, F (Montreal Canadiens), Will Horcoff, F (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jack Ivankovic, G (Nashville Predators), Henry Mews, D (Calgary Flames), Cole McKinney, F (San Jose Sharks), Nicholas Moldenhauer, F (San Jose Sharks), Aidan Park, F (Edmonton Oilers), Jayden Perron, F (Carolina Hurricanes), Drew Schock, D (Anaheim Ducks), Malcolm Spence, F (New York Rangers)
The Wolverines are making an NCAA-record 29th Frozen Four appearance and their fourth in the last five years. Senior captain T.J. Hughes became the all-time Big Ten scoring leader in conference-only games this season. Hughes tallied 56 points, leading Michigan, and he was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist. Michael Hage, Will Horcoff and Jayden Perron also had big years with Michigan. While goaltender Jack Ivankovic had a big year coming over from the OHL, posting 25 wins, the second-best in the country.
Denver Pioneers
NHL affiliates: Garrett Brown, D (Winnipeg Jets), Hagen Burrows, F (Tampa Bay Lightning), Clarke Caswell, F (Seattle Kraken), Kristian Epperson, F (Los Angeles Kings), Jake Fisher, F (Colorado Avalanche), Sam Harris, F (Montreal Canadiens), Eric Jamieson, D (Calgary Flames), Rieger Lorenz, F (Minnesota Wild), Brendan McMorrow, F (Los Angeles Kings), Quentin Miller, G (Montreal Canadiens), Tory Pitner, D (Colorado Avalanche), Eric Pohlkamp, D (San Jose Sharks), James Reeder, F (Los Angeles Kings), Samu Salminen, F (New Jersey Devils)
The Pioneers are looking to capture a record 11th national championship, and third in the past five years. They are led by junior defenseman Eric Pohlkamp, who continues to lead the offensive attack, with Rieger Lorenz and Sam Harris piling up the goals this year. Pohlkamp set a new NCHC single-season record for goals by a defenseman with 17. Former WHL goaltender Johnny Hicks has not lost any of the 15 decisions he’s had this season, all coming in the second semester, including winning 11 straight games.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
NHL affiliates: EJ Emery, D (New York Rangers), Dylan James, F (Detroit Red Wings), Ollie Josephson, F (Seattle Kraken), David Klee, F (San Jose Sharks), Sam Laurila, D (New York Islanders), Cade Littler, F (Calgary Flames), Cole Reschny, F (Calgary Flames), Andrew Strathmann, D (Columbus Blue Jackets), Ben Strinden, F (Nashville Predators), Mac Swanson, F (Pittsburgh Penguins), Abram Wiebe, D (Calgary Flames), Will Zellers, F (Boston Bruins)
After winning the NCHC regular-season and tournament titles, the Fighting Hawks return to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2016. They are led by a deep freshman class that includes several CHL transfers. Forward Cole Reschny tallied 35 points in 35 games, sitting second among scoring leaders, while Will Zellers tallied 34 points in 37 games. Top prospect Keaton Verhoeff put up 20 points in 35 games. Verhoeff is considered to be a top-3 NHL pick at the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft.
Now, entering their 23rd Frozen Four appearance, the Fighting Hawks seek a ninth national championship, and their first since that run to the NCAA title 10 years ago.
Wisconsin Badgers
NHL affiliates: Tyson Dyck, F (Ottawa Senators), Quinn Finley, F (New York Islanders), Logan Hensler, D (Ottawa Senators), Bruno Idzan, F (Ottawa Senators), Kyle Kukkonen, F (Anaheim Ducks), Blake Montgomery, F (Ottawa Senators), Luke Osburn, D (Buffalo Sabres), Jack Phelan, D (Detroit Red Wings), Zach Schulz, D (New York Islanders), Vasily Zelenov, F (Buffalo Sabres)
The Badgers are the "Cinderella" of the field, making their first Frozen Four appearance since 2010. They reached Las Vegas by knocking off the #2 seed Michigan State in a dramatic regional final. Goaltender Daniel Hauser set the program record for career wins by a transfer goalie. The Badgers were led by undrafted forward Gavin Morrissey, who tallied 36 points, right behind him was Quinn Finley with 33 points in 35 games. Defenseman Luke Osburn led the backend, tallying 21 points in 31 games.
Wisconsin has made it to the Frozen Four for the 12th time in program history. The team hasn’t played for a national title since 2010, when it lost to Boston College in Detroit.