The Frozen Four descends on T-Mobile Arena this week, bringing together four of college hockey’s most storied programs: North Dakota, Wisconsin, Denver, and Michigan. The tournament features 49 NHL draft picks, including five first-round selections, and two of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.
Quinn Finley, F, Wisconsin
The junior forward has been the Badgers’ offensive engine, leading all scorers in the NCAA Tournament with five points. A third-round pick of the New York Islanders in 2022, Finley tallied a goal and two assists against Dartmouth in the first round and added a goal and an assist in the comeback win over Michigan State. He leads Wisconsin with 17 goals in 35 games.
Michael Hage, Michigan
A first-round pick (No. 21 overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in 2024, Hage is a standout playmaker for the Wolverines and a key piece of their top-ranked power play. The sophomore leads the nation with 38 assists in 38 games, and his 51 points are tied for fourth in the country. Hage missed Michigan’s tournament opener but returned for the 4-3 regional final victory over Minnesota-Duluth and is expected to play against Denver.
Johnny Hicks, G, Denver
The freshman goaltender has been nearly unbeatable since taking over for the injured Quentin Miller on Jan. 24. Hicks is 14-0-1 with a nation-best 1.12 goals-against average and .958 save percentage. He has allowed one goal or fewer in 10 of 15 starts during his unbeaten streak. At 5-foot-10, 157 pounds, Hicks is undrafted and one of several players in the tournament who benefited from the new rule allowing Canadian Hockey League players to play NCAA hockey.
T.J. Hughes, F, Michigan
The senior captain is a Hobey Baker finalist and the Big Ten Player of the Year. Hughes leads the NCAA in active career scoring with 178 points (68 goals, 110 assists) in 155 games. This season, he has 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists) in 39 games, ranking second in the nation. Despite going undrafted, Hughes is one of the top NCAA free agents and is expected to attract NHL interest after the tournament.
Eric Pohlkamp, D, Denver
A Hobey Baker finalist, Pohlkamp leads all NCAA defensemen with 18 goals and 39 points. His 18 goals are tied for the third-most in school history by a defenseman and the most for Denver in 50 years. He also leads the Pioneers with 77 blocked shots and has a plus-25 rating. The junior was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round of the 2023 draft.
Cole Reschny, F, North Dakota
The freshman playmaker started slowly but heated up as the season progressed, earning NCHC Rookie of the Year honors. Reschny is second on the Fighting Hawks with 35 points (six goals, 29 assists) and has 10 points in his last 10 games. A first-round pick of the Calgary Flames (No. 18 overall) in 2025, he also helped Canada win bronze at the World Junior Championship and has won nearly 58 percent of his faceoffs.
Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota
At just 17 years old, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound freshman is ranked as the No. 2 North American skater for the 2026 draft by NHL Central Scouting. Verhoeff has 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 35 games and a powerful right-handed shot from the point. He also has 42 blocked shots and improved defensively throughout the season. The Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, native spent two seasons in major junior with Victoria of the Western Hockey League before moving to college hockey.
