Denver Wins Another NCAA Hockey Title for NCHC

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference continues its dominance in college hockey.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:47am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college hockey championship game, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.The NCHC's continued dominance in college hockey is reflected in the fractured, multi-dimensional visual representation of the championship game.Duluth Today

The University of Denver won the 2026 NCAA Men's Frozen Four championship, continuing the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's (NCHC) reign over college hockey. Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante also won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the top player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey.

Why it matters

The NCHC has established itself as the premier conference in college hockey, with Denver's latest title adding to its growing legacy. This latest championship further cements the NCHC's status as the dominant force in the sport and raises questions about the growing divide between the haves and have-nots in college athletics.

The details

Denver defeated its opponent to claim the 2026 NCAA Men's Frozen Four championship, continuing the NCHC's dominance in college hockey. Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante was awarded the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, college hockey's highest individual honor, for his standout performance during the season.

  • The 2026 NCAA Men's Frozen Four championship game took place in Las Vegas.
  • Max Plante won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award on Friday.

The players

Max Plante

A player for the University of Minnesota Duluth who won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the top player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey.

University of Denver

The university that won the 2026 NCAA Men's Frozen Four championship, continuing the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's dominance in college hockey.

National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC)

The college hockey conference that has established itself as the premier conference in the sport, with Denver's latest title adding to its growing legacy.

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The takeaway

The NCHC's continued dominance in college hockey highlights the growing divide between the top conferences and the rest of the field, raising questions about the future of parity in the sport.