Frozen Four Hockey Hub: Puck Drops in Las Vegas

Everything you need to know about the 2026 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship semifinals and final

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a college hockey game, with players and the rink deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes of color.The 2026 Frozen Four tournament promises an intense, multi-angled clash of college hockey's elite programs and coaches.Las Vegas Today

The 2026 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four has arrived in Las Vegas, with the semifinals set for Thursday, April 9 and the championship game on Saturday, April 11. This year's field features some of college hockey's most successful programs and coaches, including Denver's David Carle, Michigan's Brandon Naurato, North Dakota's Dane Jackson, and Wisconsin's Mike Hastings.

Why it matters

The Frozen Four is the pinnacle of the college hockey season, with the four best teams in the country competing for the national championship. This year's event features several coaches with extensive Frozen Four experience, as well as some rising stars in the sport. The matchups promise to be highly competitive, with the potential for an epic championship game.

The details

Denver, the top overall seed, is making its fifth Frozen Four appearance in just eight seasons under head coach David Carle. The Pioneers are led by Eric Pohlkamp, who has 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) this season. Michigan, the Big Ten champion, is making its third Frozen Four trip under Brandon Naurato, with TJ Hughes (56 points) and Will Horcoff (25 goals) leading the way. North Dakota, coached by Dane Jackson, is back in the Frozen Four for the first time since 2022, paced by Ellis Rickwood (36 points) and Dylan James (21 goals). Wisconsin, led by Mike Hastings, is making its third Frozen Four appearance, with Gavin Morrissey (36 points) and Quinn Finley (17 goals) powering the Badgers.

  • The semifinals will be played on Thursday, April 9, with No. 2 North Dakota facing Wisconsin at 5 p.m. ET, followed by No. 1 Michigan against Denver at 8:30 p.m. ET.
  • The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The players

David Carle

The head coach of Denver, Carle is making his fifth Frozen Four appearance in just eight seasons at the helm of the Pioneers. He never played for Denver but has built the program into a national powerhouse, winning two national titles.

Brandon Naurato

Naurato is leading Michigan to its third Frozen Four in his tenure as head coach. He is looking to guide the Wolverines to their first national championship game appearance since 2024.

Dane Jackson

Jackson, a former player for the then-Fighting Sioux, is in his first season as the head coach of North Dakota. He has been an assistant with the program since 2006-07 and was recently named the NCHC Herb Brooks Coach of the Year.

Mike Hastings

Hastings is making his third Frozen Four appearance, but the first two were with Minnesota State. This is his first trip to the national semifinals with Wisconsin.

Eric Pohlkamp

The leading scorer for Denver with 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists), Pohlkamp will be a key player for the top-seeded Pioneers as they look to win their third national championship.

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What they’re saying

“Certainly that's been the hallmark of our conference. We've won seven of the last nine national championships.”

— David Carle, Denver Head Coach

What’s next

The winners of the Thursday semifinal games will advance to the national championship game on Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

This year's Frozen Four features an impressive collection of college hockey powerhouses and experienced coaches, setting the stage for what should be an exciting and highly competitive tournament. The matchups between these elite programs promise to showcase the best of what NCAA hockey has to offer.