College Hockey Insider

11/05/2025

This week on the College Hockey Insider rundown …
-Why is Hockey East struggling in non-conference games?
-Michigan is off to a 9-1 start, but what will their D look like without Henry Mews?
-Speaking of injuries, what does Penn State do now that Aiden Fink is out of the lineup?
-Why has BU struggled? And is a winning streak on their horizon?
-Impressions of the Ivy League teams opening last week.
-Northeastern’s been hot. Why?
-And this has nothing to do with college hockey, but who should replace Gervontae Davis vs. Jake Paul.

This week on the College Hockey Insider rundown …

11/04/2025

Lawton Zacher has been one of the top goaltenders in the nation through the first month of the season, and his play has been a major factor in Northeastern’s early success.

This issue ( #604) features my weekend observations from across the Eastern conferences — Hockey East, the ECAC, and Atlantic Hockey.

In addition to a closer look at Zacher and Northeastern, this edition also includes thoughts on:

BU’s struggles without Cole Eiserman, though the bigger concern might be their inability to keep the puck out of their own net.

UMass Lowell’s Mirko Buttazzoni, who was ejected in a bizarre incident on Saturday night.

Dartmouth’s perfect 2-0 start, winning games in two very different ways.

Union’s impressive numbers — but are they legitimate contenders in the ECAC?

RIT making me eat my words by taking my preseason power rankings and shoving them right back at me.

Hoping Mercyhurst can pull out of this slump for veteran coach Rick Gotkin.

And finally, a deeper look at the NPI and why Hockey East might be staring at just two or three NCAA tournament bids come March.

Plus, more things I think from the ECAC, Hockey East, and Atlantic Hockey. Also: The B10 and NCHC seemed primed for the most NCAA bids

10/30/2025

Conference play takes center stage this weekend, but there are a few intriguing non-conference matchups sprinkled in as well.

Today’s issue ( #603) offers a full weekend preview, breaking down several key series:

Boston University vs. Maine
Minnesota Duluth vs. North Dakota
UMass vs. Cornell
Minnesota State vs. St. Thomas
Holy Cross vs. Sacred Heart

Also in today’s newsletter.

-I’ve only got one pick for Friday — coming off a strong 5-1 weekend.
-At least team teams have asked their players not to participate in the Spengler Cup.
-Michigan Tech is losing a player to the CHL.
-The NCAA’s new stance on allowing college athletes to bet on professional sports.
-How the Ivy League is navigating the evolving NIL landscape.

Also: Weekly picks, D-I BOD on betting, Ivy League/NIL, and Michigan Tech player heads back to the CHL

10/30/2025

This week, on the rundown:

1) The NCAA has finally broken its silence on former pro players being declared eligible.

2) Minnesota Duluth swept Minnesota. Will they be back in the NCAA Tournament?

3) Miami is now 6-0. Do we still feel like they are the last-place team in the NCHC?

4) The NCAA paused talks for a fifth year of eligibility.

5) Why do schools hire search firms? And excuse me ... they’re getting paid how much?!

6) With the NBA betting scandal in the news, could the same thing happen in college hockey?

7) In something that has nothing to do with college hockey ... Tyler wants a truck. But he can only afford one if it comes with a remote control and AA batteries.

This week, on the rundown:

10/28/2025

The U.S. Collegiate Selects will travel to Davos, Switzerland this December to compete in the Spengler Cup. Ten players have already been named to the roster, and today’s issue ( #602) features my picks for the final 16 spots.

Also in this issue:

— The NCAA released a statement defending the eligibility of former professional players, following pointed criticism last week from Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo.

— Coaching updates from the USHL, Notre Dame, and Division III Hiram College.

— An update on NCAA coaches gaining access to CHL games.

Also: The NCAA released a statement on former pro eligibility, coach hirings, and NCAA access to CHL games

10/28/2025

Completing the saga that has been my power rankings, looking at the teams I had ranked ranked No.

10/27/2025

Completing the saga that has been my power rankings, looking at the teams I had ranked ranked No. 4-1 in the preseason. This issue ( #601) looks at …

Boston University
Maine
Michigan State
Western Michigan

Wrapping this up, I look more at how these teams have performed through the first four weeks compared to how I had them graded in the preseason.

Completing the saga that has been my power rankings, looking at the teams I had ranked ranked No.

10/27/2025

Here are the scores and some notes on every game around college hockey from Saturday night:

10/26/2025

Here are the scores and some notes on every game around college hockey from Friday night:

10/25/2025

In-depth looks at North Dakota, Quinnipiac, Michigan, and Penn State