The landscape at the top of the college hockey world won’t change much from last season to this season. Western Michigan and Boston University, which met in last season’s NCAA championship, are once again loaded NCAA NIL Rules What You Need To Know.
But the battle for the Frozen Four is no longer just about the teams. It’s about the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness)power of their star players. From Hobey Baker favorites to the likely #1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the talent in the NCAA is elite, and it’s powered by fan fuel.
This preview highlights the top 20 fan favorites and the key NIL athletes you can help power through RallyFuel.
Here’s a look at the top 20 fan favorites for the 2025-26 NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey season:
BEST OF THE BEST
1. BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Boston University has a very realistic chance at its fourth straight trip to The Frozen Four. The Terriers are loaded everywhere, but defenseman Cole Hutson clearly is a notch or two above the rest. Hutson, who is an offensive threat and a shut-down defender, is one of the fan favorites to win the 2026 Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top players. Opposing offenses are likely to struggle against Hutson, an otherwise balanced defense and goal tender Mikhail Yegorov. Offensively, the Terriers will be led by returning starters Cole Eiserman, Sascha Boumadienne and Charlie Trethaway as well as newcomers Conrad Fondrk, Jack Murtagh and Ryder Ritchie.
BU NIL Spotlight: The Terriers are a NIL powerhouse. Fans can fuel the Hobey Baker campaign for superstar defenseman Cole Hutson and get behind the next wave of stars like Cole Eiserman. Fan-fuelingthis roster is how BU makes a run for the national title.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Terriers on RallyFuel
2. WESTERN MICHIGAN
There’s no doubt Western Michigan will feel the loss of forward Alex Bump and team captain Tim Washe, who led the Broncos to last year’s title. But 2025 Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player Owen Michaels returns to anchor the offense and Hampton Slukynsky returns as one of the nation’s top goalies. The Broncos also pulled four players out of the transfer portal and that list is highlighted by winger William Whitelaw. Mw Wbb 2025 NIL
WMU NIL Spotlight: The defending champs are reloading. Fans can fuel the title defense by getting behind their Frozen Four MOP, Owen Michaels, and their star goalie, Hampton Slukynsky. Welcoming key transfer William Whitelaw with a strong base of fan fuel is how the Broncos stay on top.
3. MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State has a nice blend of returning players and newcomers. Ordinarily, losing a scorer like Isaac Howard (last season’s Hobey Baker Award) to the NHL would seem devastating. But that hole will be plugged quite nicely by winger Porter Martone, who scored 31 goals in the ultra-competitive Ontario Hockey League last season. Martone will have plenty of offensive help from returning player Charlie Stramel and newcomers Cayden Lindstrom, who tallied 46 points in just 32 games for Medicine Hat of the World Hockey League last season, and Ryker Lee, who netted 31 goals in the United States Hockey League last year. The top returning player for the Spartans is Trey Augustine, one of the nation’s top goalies. Augustine posted a 1.97 goals against average last season.
MSU NIL Spotlight: The Spartans are loaded. With one of the nation’s best goalies in Trey Augustine and a new class of elite scorers like Porter Martone, Cayden Lindstrom, and Ryker Lee, this team is built to win. This is a ground-floor chance for fans to fuel the next great Spartan line.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Spartans on RallyFuel
4. BOSTON COLLEGE
Boston College lost a lot from last season with Gabe Perrault, Ryan Leonard and Jacob Fowler moving onto the professional ranks. But the Eagles are a traditional powerhouse and can’t be counted out. The Eagles return three players — senior Andre Gasseau and sophomores Teddy Stiga and James Hagan — that recorded 30 or more points last season. Nc Brantmeier Ironic Win
BC NIL Spotlight: With last year’s stars gone pro, it’s time for the next wave to step up. Fans can fuel the new core of Andre Gasseau, Teddy Stiga, and James Hagan as they take over the offense. Fueling this returning trio is key to the Eagles’ success.
5. PENN STATE
The fan buzz around Penn State hockey is all about winger Gavin McKenna. That’s understandable because McKenna, who scored 129 points in 56 games as a 17-year-old with Medicine Hat last season, is widely considered as the likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. McKenna’s arrival should only boost winger Aiden Fink, who already has established himself as a Penn State fan favorite. Fink has put up 87 points in 74 career college games. NCAA All Stars Spengler
Penn State NIL Spotlight: All eyes are on Gavin McKenna, the likely #1 overall NHL pick. This is one of the biggest NIL opportunities in sports. Fans can fuel his historic season on RallyFuel, and fuel the established star Aiden Fink as they form one of the NCAA’s most dynamic duos.
➡️ Fan Fuel Gavin McKenna & the Nittany Lions
6. MINNESOTA
Minnesota shared last season’s Big Ten Title with Michigan State, but the Gophers lost their top five scorers. A brutal conference schedule also presents a big obstacle. But the Gophers will rely on veteran defender Luke Mittelstadt and forwards Brody Lamb and Brodie Ziemer.
Minnesota NIL Spotlight: With the top five scorers gone, the Gophers need new leaders. It’s time for the fanbase to get behind veteran defender Luke Mittelstadt and the new offensive core of Brody Lamb and Brodie Ziemer. Fan fuel is how you reload a powerhouse.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Gophers on RallyFuel
NEXT IN LINE
- Denver: The Pioneers are young, but fan fuel can accelerate their growth. Fans can fuel the next wave of stars like Brendan McMorrow and Kristian Epperson. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Pioneers
- Maine: The Black Bears are back. Fans can fuel the momentum by getting behind the nation’s top recruiting class, headlined by WHL stars Miguel Marques and Jaden Lipinski. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Black Bears
- UMass: The Minutemen are counting on their veterans. Fans can fuel the experienced core of Owen Murray, Lucas Olestad, Francsco Dell’Elce, and Michael Hrabal as they lead the charge. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Minutemen
- Michigan: The Wolverines have one of the NCAA’s top active career scorers in T.J. Hughes (47 goals). Fans can fuelhis push for the record books and another run at the Big Ten title. ➡️ Fan Fuel T.J. Hughes & the Wolverines
- UConn: The Huskies are loaded with offensive firepower. Fans can fuel the veteran trio of Ryan Tattle, Jake Richard, and Joe Muldowney as they fight for their first-ever Frozen Four. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Huskies
- Providence: The Friars are on the rise. Fan fuel is the perfect way to build on last year’s NCAA Tournament berth by fueling top goal scorers Hudson Malinoski and Tanner Adams. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Friars
BEST OF THE REST
- North Dakota: The Fighting Hawks are always a threat. Fans can fuel the next generation of NHL prospects as they fight to reclaim the top of the NCHC. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Fighting Hawks
- Quinnipiac: The Bobcats have a 100-point-scorer in Jeremy Wilmer. Fans can fuel his electrifying senior season and get behind high-scoring freshman Ethan Wyttenbach. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Bobcats
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes will lean on their solid nucleus. Fans can fuel their B1G Coach of the Year and key returners Krostoffer Eberly and Riley Thompson. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Buckeyes
- Wisconsin: The Badgers are a team on the rise. Fans can fuel the new core, led by leading scorer Quinn Finely and freshman goalie Daniel Hauser. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Badgers
- Cornell: The Big Red are always tough. Fueling their veteran leaders is key to navigating the tough ECAC and making another tournament run. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Big Red
- Minnesota State: A powerhouse in the CCHA, the Mavericks’ success is built on a passionate fanbase. Fan fuel is how they continue to dominate their conference and challenge the “big boys.” ➡️ Fan Fuel the Mavericks
- Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs are a perennial contender. Fans can fuel the next great UMD line as they battle in the toughest conference in hockey. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Bulldogs
- Arizona State: As an independent program, ASU’s success largely depends on the engagement and involvement of its community. Fan fuel is the ultimate home-ice advantage for the Sun Devils. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Sun Devils
The Road to the Frozen Four is Fueled by Fans
The 2025-26 hockey season will be defined by its superstars. From Hobey Baker candidates to the next #1 pick, these athletes are at the center of the NIL universe. NCAA Xc National Champions
- You are no longer just a spectator. You are a participant.
- RallyFuel is the platform built for fans to get in the game. It’s the easiest and most effective way to boost your favorite players, help your team build a strong roster, and showcase the strength of your fanbase.
- The season is here. Rule the Fuel.
➡️ Find Your Team and Fan Fuel a NCAA Hockey Athlete Today
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
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