College hockey has never been this loaded. A rule change opened the door for Canadian junior players to join the NCAA, and a wave of NHL draft picks has followed, giving top programs more depth than they have ever had. On the women’s side, a stacked class of returning stars has the Patty Kazmaier Award race wide open.
Below are the men’s programs worth tracking, the individual standouts NHL scouts will be watching, and the women’s players with a real shot at the sport’s top individual honor. Every name links to the player’s RallyFuel profile, where fans can back them directly through verified NIL deals.
Men’s programs to watch
Five programs stand out on paper, and the national champion will very likely come from this group. NHL rights holders are noted in parentheses.
University of Denver Pioneers
The defending champs kept head coach David Carle, who is chasing a fourth national title in six seasons. With two key defensemen gone to the pros, Denver reloaded the blue line with Daxon Rudolph (Buffalo) and Ryan Lin (San Jose). Both skate well, drive play, and could stay in Denver for several seasons.
Up front, Jack Pridham (Tampa Bay) arrives after scoring 1.5 points per game in the OHL, and Mikey Berchild (Carolina) was one of the top scorers at the U.S. National Team Development Program. They join returning title-winners Sam Harris (Montreal), Clarke Caswell (Seattle) and Jay Reeder (Los Angeles).
Michigan State University Spartans
Few rosters carry more first-round talent. Ethan Belchetz (Utah), Ryker Lee (Nashville), Mason West (Chicago) and Cullen Potter (Calgary) mix high-end skill with size, so they can beat defenders with hands or with strength. Sophomore Cayden Lindstrom (Columbus) faces a pivotal year and is a strong bet to double his point total.
On the back end, Chase Reid (Seattle) runs the top power play and has Hobey Baker potential, while Tommy Bleyl (Nashville) quarterbacks the second unit. In net, Joshua Ravensbergen (San Jose), one of the best goalie prospects in college hockey, takes over the crease.
University of Michigan Wolverines
The headline is Landon DuPont, the consensus No. 1 pick for the 2027 NHL draft. He was only the second player in WHL history granted exceptional status to play at 15, and he should step straight onto the top power play. Michael Hage (Montreal) surprised many by returning and anchors the top line.
The forward group may be the deepest in the country: freshmen J.P. Hurlbert (Detroit) and Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia), sophomores Malcolm Spence (NY Rangers) and Adam Valentini (Utah), plus veterans Will Horcoff (Pittsburgh), Nick Moldenhauer (Toronto) and Jayden Perron (Carolina). Cameron Reid (Nashville) adds a shutdown presence on defense, and goalie Jack Ivankovic (Nashville) returns after a .921 save percentage across 35 games as a freshman.
Boston University Terriers
BU added several top-50 picks from the 2026 draft. Tynan Lawrence (St. Louis) starts his first full season, and Caleb Malhotra (Vancouver) could play his way onto the top line. With Niklas Aaram-Olsen and Aiden Celebrini also Canucks property, Vancouver will be watching closely.
On defense, Xavier Villeneuve (Chicago) and Haoxi Wang (San Jose) join a program with a strong track record of turning smaller, skilled defensemen into NHL contributors.
University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks
North Dakota may have the best blue line in the NCAA. Freshman Carson Carels (Calgary) reunites with World Juniors teammate Keaton Verhoeff (San Jose), joined by puck-mover Ethan MacKenzie (Toronto) and veteran EJ Emery (NY Rangers).
That defense frees the forwards to attack in transition. Sophomores Cole Reschny (Calgary) and Will Zellers (Boston) could both top a point per game, backed by upperclassmen Mac Swanson (Pittsburgh) and Hudson Malinoski (Toronto).
Men’s players of note
Sammy Nelson, C, Notre Dame
The youngest of three Nelson brothers steps into the second-line center role as a freshman in his draft year. He projects as a lottery pick in 2027, with speed, a net-front scoring touch and two-way play that is already mature. Scouts will be watching whether his offensive ceiling makes him a future NHL top-line center.
Ethan Wyttenbach, F, Quinnipiac (Calgary)
As a freshman, Wyttenbach led the nation in scoring, won NCAA Rookie of the Year and earned a Hobey Baker nomination. A 2025 fifth-round steal at No. 144 overall, he reads the ice at an elite level and can both set up and finish plays. He enters the year as a legitimate Hobey Baker favorite.
Sascha Boumedienne, D, Ohio State (Winnipeg)
College hockey’s youngest player last season transferred from BU to the Buckeyes after a tough year, then finished strong with Sweden at the IIHF World Championships. Still only 19 as a junior, he becomes Ohio State’s go-to defenseman, and his vision and shot already look NHL-ready.
Women’s hockey: Patty Kazmaier Award contenders
The Patty Kazmaier Award goes to the top player in NCAA women’s hockey. These nine players enter 2026-27 with the strongest early cases, in no particular order.
Joy Dunne, F, Ohio State
Dunne finished fifth nationally with 27 goals and eighth with 51 points, including three hat tricks. Her two-way game is just as valuable; she even earned back-to-back WCHA Defender of the Week honors while filling in on the blue line. After two straight title-game losses to Wisconsin, the senior has unfinished business.
Kahlen Lamarche, F, Quinnipiac
Lamarche led the country with 42 goals in 41 games as a junior, a huge leap from her first two seasons. She set Quinnipiac’s single-season goals and points (64) records and became the program’s first Kazmaier top-10 finalist.
Hilda Svensson, F, Ohio State
Svensson led the Buckeyes with 52 points as a freshman, recording a point in 28 of 33 games. She won WCHA Rookie of the Year, shared national rookie honors, and led Sweden in scoring at the Olympics. Now on a top line with Dunne and Amos, she could be even better.
Sara Manness, F, Clarkson
Manness led Clarkson in goals (21), assists (31) and points (52) as a freshman, with six game-winners. A record 10-game goal streak helped make her the first freshman ever named ECAC Hockey Player of the Year.
Ava McNaughton, G, Wisconsin
No goalie has won the Kazmaier in seven years. McNaughton, a U.S. Olympian and two-time national champion, could end that run after posting a 1.35 GAA, a .939 save percentage and eight shutouts last season.
Ava Thomas, F, Boston College
Thomas led BC with 19 goals and 46 points as a freshman, earning Hockey East Rookie of the Year and first-team all-conference honors. Producing like that outside of the Wisconsin and Ohio State powerhouses makes her a sophomore breakout pick.
Jocelyn Amos, F, Ohio State
The Buckeyes captain posted a career-high 26 assists and her second straight 20-goal season. Ohio State’s title hopes run through her and Dunne on the top line.
Kelly Gorbatenko, F, Wisconsin
Gorbatenko broke out with 28 goals and 50 points and shined in big moments, including a regional-final hat trick and a goal and assist in the title game. With two stars gone to the PWHL, she should become the Badgers’ top scorer.
Cassie Hall, F, Wisconsin
Hall has improved every year, from 24 points to 38 to 48, with a balanced 24 goals and 24 assists last season. Centering Gorbatenko’s line in her final year, she is set up for a big season.
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