NCAA Frozen Four Teams Vie for Championship

A look at the four teams competing in the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four hockey tournament in Las Vegas.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a college hockey game, with the players and ice represented as sharp, angular shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the raw energy and competitive spirit of the Frozen Four tournament.The 2026 NCAA Frozen Four tournament promises an intense, high-stakes battle for college hockey's ultimate prize, with four storied programs vying for the national championship.Grand Forks Today

The 2026 NCAA Frozen Four hockey tournament will feature four powerhouse programs - the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, the University of Wisconsin Badgers, the University of Denver Pioneers, and the University of Michigan Wolverines. Each team has a storied history of success, with multiple national championships between them. The tournament promises an exciting showdown as these elite programs battle for the coveted NCAA title.

Why it matters

The Frozen Four is one of the most prestigious events in college hockey, drawing national attention and showcasing the sport's top talent. For these four teams, reaching the Frozen Four represents the culmination of a long, hard-fought season and a chance to cement their legacies as college hockey dynasties. The tournament will feature high-octane offenses, stifling defenses, and goaltending excellence, making it a must-watch event for any hockey fan.

The details

The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks enter the Frozen Four as the No. 1 overall seed, boasting a 29-9-1 record and an impressive eight national championships. Freshman goaltender Jan Špunar has been a standout for the Fighting Hawks, leading the NCAA with six shutouts. The University of Wisconsin Badgers, seeded third, are the oldest team in the Frozen Four with an average age of 22.1 years and feature the most NHL draft picks. The University of Denver Pioneers, seeded second, are led by junior defenseman Eric Pohlkamp, who is bidding to become just the second active defenseman to reach 100 career points. The University of Michigan Wolverines, the No. 1 overall seed, are the highest-scoring team in the Frozen Four, led by senior forward T.J. Hughes, who tops all active players in career points, goals, and assists.

  • The 2026 NCAA Frozen Four will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The players

University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks

The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks are the No. 1 overall seed in the Frozen Four, boasting a 29-9-1 record and eight national championships, the most of any team in the tournament.

University of Wisconsin Badgers

The University of Wisconsin Badgers are the third-seeded team in the Frozen Four, with six national championships and the oldest roster, averaging 22.1 years of age.

University of Denver Pioneers

The University of Denver Pioneers are the second-seeded team in the Frozen Four, with 10 national championships, the most of any program in the tournament.

University of Michigan Wolverines

The University of Michigan Wolverines are the No. 1 overall seed in the Frozen Four, boasting 31 wins this season, the most of any team in the tournament, and led by senior forward T.J. Hughes, who tops all active players in career points, goals, and assists.

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What they’re saying

“Definitely in recruiting, we put a factor in the guys that have that 200-foot game. . . just overall strong hockey players. We put time and effort into finding guys who fit the identity we wanted to build. System-wise, we want guys to make plays when there's time and space. We want to break out through the middle, enter through the middle, have creativity. But when the game is hard, you need to be able to understand the situations, know when you have to advance pucks, play with a body on you and protect pucks.”

— Dane Jackson, Head Coach, University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks

“One thing I've learned about our league is that if you're not prepared on a given night, you're not going to just get beat, you can get embarrassed. That goes to the depth of the league. From my standpoint, I think the league does a great job preparing us for this time of year. Hopefully, that's something we can lean on here.”

— Mike Hastings, Head Coach, University of Wisconsin Badgers

“I think only seven or eight guys remain from our 2024 championship team. The experience turns over so quickly. To try and keep that cohesiveness from year to year is really upon the guys stepping into veteran roles, leadership roles. Bringing in 10 freshmen this year, a lot gets put on the leadership to bring those guys around.”

— David Carle, Head Coach, University of Denver Pioneers

“They know the last time Michigan's won it. They know how special it would be if we do win it. We're definitely not happy to be there. We have a job to do. We're trying to get to Saturday. Since I've been here as a player and a coach, we have not had that luxury. Every one of those games has been different. We can learn from all of them.”

— Brandon Naurato, Head Coach, University of Michigan Wolverines

What’s next

The 2026 NCAA Frozen Four championship game will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2026 in Las Vegas.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA Frozen Four features an exceptional collection of college hockey powerhouses, each with a rich history of success and a roster of elite talent. The tournament promises an intense and highly competitive battle for the national championship, showcasing the very best that the sport has to offer.