It's the best time of the year for college hockey enthusiasts across the world, as the 2025 NCAA Division 1 Men's Tournament is set to begin on March 27th. The sheer amount of talent in this tournament is ridiculous, as the best college hockey players in the world are set to compete for the NCAA Division 1 championship. Common contenders like Boston College, Denver, and Michigan are aiming to add to their illustrious Championship cabinet, while first-timers Bentley and the University of Connecticut are hoping to shock the world and take home the championship for the first time. College hockey has become one of the top pathways to the NHL, and players will be hoping to make their mark on their way to the Show. HockeyStickMan has the honor of working with a number of Division 1 NCAA Teams, both men and women, and are always so excited to see what sick gear these teams have for us. 

Manchester Regional

(1) Boston College vs Bentley

Perennial NCAA title contenders Boston College are the number one seed in this tournament, as well as the overall favorites to take home the championship, and this comes to the surprise of absolutely nobody. With future NHLers Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) and Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers), as well as potential 1st overall pick this summer James Hagens, Boston College is stacked from top to bottom, with Montreal Canadiens draft pick Jacob Fowler, who posted a .940 save percentage this season, between the pipes, Boston College is primed to make a run all the way to the Finals and hope to win their first National Championship since 2012.

Standing in their way is the upstart Bentley, who has made their way to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the program's history. While they are the 16 seed and probably not on anyone's radar to win it all, we love a good Cinderella story and what would be better than the 16 seed knocking off the 1 seed in the first round?

Boston College vs Bentley | March 28th, 2pm ET | SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire | ESPNU and TSN+

Providence vs Denver

In an matchup of college hockey titans, Providence and Denver will meet in the first round, with Providence looking to win their second title while Denver is hoping to repeat as champions and add another title to their already winningest championship record in the entire NCAA. Both teams have a plethora of NHL drafted and ready talent, including Hobey Baker finalists Zeev Buium and Jack Devine for Denver, and 2024 Vegas first round pick Trevor Connelly for Providence

Providence vs Denver | March 28th, 5:30pm ET | SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire | ESPN+ and TSN+

Fargo Regional

(4) Western Michigan vs Minnesota State

While Western Michigan is the only team in this regional to have not made a Frozen Four, them earning the 4th seed in this tournament was no small feat, as offensive weapons like Alex Bump and Grant Slukynsky and a formidable goalie tandem of Cameron Rowe and Hampton Slukynsky have made Western Michigan a formidable opponent for any team.

Minnesota State is the best defensive team in the country, being backed between the pipes by Hobey Baker Finalist Alex Tracy, who has been one of if not the best goalie in the country this year, and he hopes to continue his success on the path to the Frozen Four.

Western Michigan vs Minnesota State | March 27th, 5pm ET | SCHEELS Arena, Fargo, North Dakota | ESPNU and TSN+

Minnesota vs Massachusetts 

Minnesota comes into this tournament with a stacked offense, good enough for the 3rd best offense in the country with 2022 St Louis first round pick Jimmy Snuggerud leading the way. Snuggerud will be hoping to lead the Gophers to the Championship Game in St. Louis, where he will likely find himself playing the very near future.

Massachusetts will definitely have their hands full but their ability to perform on ice away from their home in Amherst will be extremely helpful in playing in Fargo, which you could say is pretty far from Massachusetts.

Minnesota vs UMassachusetts | March 27th, 8:30pm ET | SCHEELS Arena, Fargo, North Dakota | ESPN2 and TSN+

Toledo Regional

Boston University vs Ohio State

Boston University has been to the last 2 consecutive Frozen Four's, and on the backs of offensive standouts and recent World Junior gold medal winners Cole Eiserman and defensemen Cole Hutson (younger brother of Canadiens rookie sensation Lane Hutson), they look to claim the Championship for the first time 2009.

Ohio State is not to be counted out however. The Buckeyes are deadly in the later half of games, and know how to grind out victories, especially when it matters most. 

Boston University vs Ohio State | March 27th, 2pm ET | Huntington Arena, Toledo, Ohio | ESPNU and TSN+

(2) Michigan State vs Cornell

Michigan State has rightfully earned the #2 seed at this tournament and could have very easily been the #1 seed, with Hobey Baker finalist Isaac Howard putting up an offensive season for the ages and an absolute stalwart between the pipes in Trey Augustine, the Spartans look to make it back to the championship game in St. Louis, which is conveniently the same spot they won their last National title in 2007.

After a season plagued with injuries, the Big Red are finally healthy and do they ever look it. They're coming into this first game with Michigan State as one of the hottest teams in college hockey, riding a 9-2 record since Valentine's Day. Love is definitely in the air for this Big Red squad who is looking to pull off a major upset in the first round.

Michigan State vs Cornell | March 27th, 5:30pm ET | Huntington Arena, Toledo, Ohio | ESPN+ and TSN+

Allentown Regional

Connecticut vs Quinnipiac

The UConn Huskies are making their first appearance at the National Championships, and they are looking poised to potentially make a run for the title, having won 8 of their last 10 games coming into the tournament, with a loss in the Hockey East championship game coming against rival Maine, who they may be on a collision course with in their path to the championship.

The rise of Quinnipiac to the top of the college hockey world is one for the ages, and only 2 years removed from the National Championship, the Bobcats lethal offense and country best special teams have to be dreaming of another run, and another win, in the championship game.

Connecticut vs Quinnipiac | March 28th, 5pm ET | PPL Center, Allentown, Pennsylvania | ESPNU and TSN+

(3) Maine vs Penn State

Making the tournament for the second consecutive year after a 12 year absence, the Black Bears are back and better than ever. Understandably claiming the 3rd seed in the tournament and fresh off a Hockey East championship and rocking with one of the hottest goalies in college hockey in Albin Boija, the Bears are looking to win their first championship since 1999.

Penn State will be very likely be happy to play their games in Allentown in front of their home state crowd, and the Nittany Lions extremely potent offense will be looking for the upset in first round of the tournament, with Hobey Baker finalist and offensive standout Aiden Fink looking to lead the way.

Maine vs Penn State | March 28th, 8:30pm ET | PPL Center, Allentown, Pennsylvania | ESPN2 and TSN+

All of these teams will be competing to make it to the Frozen Four, which this year takes place from April 10-12th at the home of the NHL's St. Louis Blues, the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. We're hoping to hear the most electric crowds in college hockey cheer on their squads as we all get to watch some of the best hockey you can see anywhere. Of course, we've got a plethora of NCAA pro stock equipment available for purchase at HockeyStickMan, at prices you're not gonna find anywhere else!