2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season

The 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began on October 2, 2021, and concluded with the NCAA championship on April 9, 2022. This was the 74th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held, and was US college hockey's 128th year overall.

Conference realignment and program suspensions

Seven schools that had been members of the men's WCHA made a joint decision to leave and reestablish the CCHA, whose original version had last played in the 2012–13 season. They were joined by St. Thomas, who were raising their athletic programs from Division III.[1] Of the remaining three WCHA men's teams, Alaska would continue as an independent program, Alaska Anchorage would suspend operations until fundraising efforts could determine the future of the team[2] and Alabama–Huntsville would suspend operations until they could secure placement within a conference.[3]

On May 26, Robert Morris University announced the termination of both their men's and women's ice hockey teams.[4] The news came as a shock to most, both within and outside the program, and immediately led to fundraising efforts to secure the return of both teams. Despite collecting more than $1 million in donations in under 3 months, the university declared in early August that the team would not be able to participate in the 2021–22 season and would look to return in 2022–23.[5] RMU would announce on December 17, 2021, that both men's and women's teams would resume play in 2023–24.[6]

On August 31, Alaska Anchorage announced that the $3 million fundraising goal had been reached and the team would return for the 2022–23 season.[7]

Membership changes

SchoolFormer ConferenceNew Conference
Alabama–Huntsville ChargersWCHASuspended Program
Alaska NanooksWCHAIndependent
Alaska–Anchorage SeawolvesWCHASuspended Program
Bemidji State BeaversWCHACCHA
Bowling Green FalconsWCHACCHA
Ferris State BulldogsWCHACCHA
Lake Superior State LakersWCHACCHA
Michigan Tech HuskiesWCHACCHA
Minnesota State MavericksWCHACCHA
Northern Michigan WildcatsWCHACCHA
Robert Morris ColonialsAtlantic HockeySuspended Program
St. Thomas TommiesMIAC (DIII)CCHA

Polls

Regular season

Season tournaments

TournamentDatesTeamsChampion
Ice Breaker TournamentOctober 8–94Boston College
October 15–164Michigan
Holiday Face–OffDecember 28–294Wisconsin
Great Lakes InvitationalDecember 29–304not awarded
Ledyard Bank ClassicDecember 30–314Boston College
Connecticut IceJanuary 29–304Quinnipiac
BeanpotFebruary 7, 144Boston University

Standings

Conference recordOverall record
GPWLTOWOLSWPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
#18 American International †*261772120549761382213313495
Canisius261311221143766735161639997
Army2612113012427568351417498100
RIT2612104133416982381816492115
Sacred Heart2611123013407270371518495100
Air Force2611123322377680361617399127
Mercyhurst26101240113675793916194114129
Niagara2610133221347079361122382122
Bentley2610142121347078361420294117
Holy Cross2610142300295672371223277108
Championship: March 19, 2022
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion (Riley Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll
Conference recordOverall record
GPWLTOTWOTL3/SWPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
#5 Minnesota241860120559050392613013891
#2 Michigan *241680030519159423110116794
#9 Notre Dame241770510477455402812012275
#16 Ohio State241392111427659372213212587
Penn State2461711112063923817201117122
Wisconsin246171120205396371024376132
Michigan State246180100175187361223176119
Championship: March 19, 2022
† indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated April 7, 2022
Conference recordOverall record
GPWLTOTWOTL3/SWPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
#2 Minnesota State †*262330200671152844386017860
#14 Michigan Tech261682240549353372113311875
Bemidji State26141201104283813919200118121
Lake Superior State26131301103969643718181107104
Northern Michigan26121313013586993720161132136
Bowling Green2611141210336787371519394119
Ferris State269161220286699361124190135
St. Thomas263221040144511236332161168
Championship: March 19, 2022
† indicates conference regular season champion (MacNaughton Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Mason Cup)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll
Overall record
GPWLTGFGA
Alaska34141828795
Arizona State3517171116121
Long Island341021387120
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll
Conference recordOverall record
GPWLTOTWOTL3/SWPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
#8 Quinnipiac22174101154711442327313953
#17 Clarkson221444023518647372110612385
#15 Harvard *221462002466946352111311682
Cornell221264210397347321810410072
Colgate229941033355574018184111112
Rensselaer22101200003058634418233114119
Union229112310275266371419489110
St. Lawrence227105202264460371119772110
Brown22612401225366131720450100
Princeton22714101023548931821270122
Yale2271413112138603082115590
Dartmouth22515203121457132722369110
Championship: March 19, 2022
† indicates conference regular season champion (Cleary Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Whitelaw Cup)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll
Conference recordOverall record
GPWLTOTWOTLSOWPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
#12 Northeastern24158111147684639251319968
#10 Massachusetts *241482231467754372213211788
#13 Massachusetts Lowell241581101466248352111310274
#19 Connecticut2414100210417361362016010989
Boston University241383320416958351913310789
Merrimack2413110130417070351915110999
#20 Providence2412111111386152382214211882
Boston College2491230113267773815185114123
New Hampshire24815122025477134141917695
Vermont24616231220417235825259101
Maine24517223119548033722474111
Championship: March 19, 2022
† indicates regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion (Lamoriello Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll
Conference recordOverall record
GPWLTOTWOTL3/SWPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
#1 Denver24186010053985541319117593
#9 North Dakota241761111537858392414111999
#6 Western Michigan2414911014384683926121138101
#11 St. Cloud State2410104121368469371815413397
#5 Minnesota Duluth *2410104112366156422216410993
Omaha24111302103265743821170123102
Colorado College24617121018488736924379116
Miami244191031175410536727294153
Championship: March 19, 2022
† indicates conference regular season champion (Penrose Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Frozen Faceoff Championship Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

PairWise Rankings

The PairWise Rankings (PWR) are a statistical tool designed to approximate the process by which the NCAA selection committee decides which teams get at-large bids to the 16-team NCAA tournament. Although the NCAA selection committee does not use the PWR as presented by USCHO, the PWR has been accurate in predicting which teams will make the tournament field.

For Division I men, all teams are included in comparisons starting in the 2013–14 season (formerly, only teams with a Ratings Percentage Index of .500 or above, or teams under consideration, were included). The PWR method compares each team with every other such team, with the winner of each “comparison” earning one PWR point. After all comparisons are made, the points are totaled up and rankings listed accordingly.

With 59 Division I men's teams, the greatest number of PWR points any team could earn is 58, winning the comparison with every other team. Meanwhile, a team that lost all of its comparisons would have no PWR points.

Teams are then ranked by PWR point total, with ties broken by the teams’ RPI ratings, which starting in 2013-14 is weighted for home and road games and includes a quality wins bonus (QWB) for beating teams in the top 20 of the RPI (it also is weighted for home and road).

When it comes to comparing teams, the PWR uses three criteria which are combined to make a comparison: RPI, record against common opponents and head-to-head competition. Starting in 2013–14, the comparison of record against teams under consideration was dropped because all teams are now under comparison.[8]

NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Final PairWise Rankings[9]
RankTeamPWRRPIConference
1Michigan 57.6087Big Ten
1Minnesota State57.6080*CCHA
3Western Michigan 55.5789NCHC
4Denver54.5846NCHC
4Minnesota Duluth54.5690NCHC
6Minnesota 53.5773Big Ten
7North Dakota 52.5720NCHC
8Quinnipiac 51.5648*ECAC Hockey
8Notre Dame 51.5607Big Ten
10St. Cloud State49.5602NCHC
11Massachusetts48.5584Hockey East
12Michigan Tech 47.5482CCHA
13Massachusetts Lowell46.5433Hockey East
14Northeastern 45.5431Hockey East
15Ohio State 44.5391Big Ten
16Clarkson 42.5341ECAC Hockey
17Boston University 41.5333Hockey East
17Harvard 41.5326ECAC Hockey
17Providence 41.5309Hockey East
20American International 38.5294Atlantic Hockey
20Connecticut38.5294Hockey East
22Merrimack 37.5270Hockey East
23Omaha36.5250NCHC
23Cornell36.5140ECAC Hockey
25Penn State 34.5095Big Ten
25Northern Michigan 34.5061CCHA
27Arizona State 31.5061Independent
27Boston College 31.5044Hockey East
29Bemidji State 30.5020CCHA
29Alaska 30.5008Independent
31Colgate 28.4924ECAC Hockey
32Lake Superior State 27.4914CCHA
33New Hampshire 26.4845Hockey East
34Bowling Green 24.4818CCHA
35Sacred Heart 23.4831Atlantic Hockey
35Michigan State 23.4808Big Ten
37Wisconsin 22.4803Big Ten
38RIT 21.4753Atlantic Hockey
39Mercyhurst 20.4778Atlantic Hockey
39Canisius 20.4723Atlantic Hockey
41Rensselaer 18.4703ECAC Hockey
42Army 17.4669Atlantic Hockey
43Air Force 15.4638Atlantic Hockey
43Bentley 15.4618Atlantic Hockey
45Colorado College 14.4638NCHC
46Miami 13.4616NCHC
46Union 13.4572ECAC Hockey
48St. Lawrence 11.4514ECAC Hockey
49Ferris State 10.4498CCHA
50Niagara 9.4494Atlantic Hockey
51Maine 7.4435Hockey East
51Holy Cross 7.4398Atlantic Hockey
53Long Island6.4363Independent
54Dartmouth 5.4362ECAC Hockey
55Vermont 4.4356Hockey East
56Princeton 3.4350ECAC Hockey
57Brown 2.4322ECAC Hockey
58Yale 1.4279ECAC Hockey
59St. Thomas 0.4132CCHA
*A team's RPI has been adjusted to remove negative effect from defeating a weak opponent
Note: A team's record is based only on games against other Division I hockey schools which are eligible for the NCAA tournament

Player stats

Scoring leaders

PlayerClassTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Bobby BrinkJuniorDenver4114435744
Nathan SmithJuniorMinnesota State3819315043
Bobby TrivignoSeniorMassachusetts3720294928
Julian NapravnikSeniorMinnesota State3818314910
Owen SillingerSeniorBemidji State3917304741
Carter SavoieSophomoreDenver3923224537
Cole GuttmanSeniorDenver4119264526
Drew WorradSeniorWestern Michigan399364520
Brian HalonenSeniorMichigan Tech3721234449
Louis BoudonJuniorLake Superior State3615294431
Hank CroneSeniorNorthern Michigan3213314422

[10][11][12]

Leading goaltenders

The following goaltenders lead the NCAA in goals against average, minimum 1/3 of team's minutes played.[11]
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

PlayerClassTeamGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
Yaniv PeretsFreshmanQuinnipiac311,841:4322523611.9391.17
Dryden McKaySeniorMinnesota State432,559:3838505610.9311.31
Devon LeviSophomoreNortheastern321,875:30211014810.9521.54
Ian ShaneFreshmanCornell17979:27763283.9331.72
Justen CloseJuniorMinnesota201,114:241440343.9291.83
Ryan FantiJuniorMinnesota Duluth372,201:2320124677.9291.83
Matthew GalajdaGraduateNotre Dame261,481:291880472.9331.90
Blake PietilaJuniorMichigan Tech372,194:5321132707.9181.91
Owen SavorySeniorMassachusetts Lowell291,738:342072565.9261.93
Ryan BischelJuniorNotre Dame16921:521040322.9242.08

Tournament bracket

Regional semifinals
March 24–25
Regional Finals
March 26–27
Semifinals
April 7
Championship
April 9
            
1Michigan (1)5
4American International3
1Michigan (1)7
MidwestAllentown – Fri/Sun
2Quinnipiac4
2Quinnipiac5
3St. Cloud State4
MW1Michigan (1)2
W1Denver (4)3*
1Denver (4)3
4Massachusetts Lowell2
1Denver (4)2
WestLoveland – Thu/Sat
2Minnesota Duluth1
2Minnesota Duluth3
3Michigan Tech0
W1Denver (4)5
E1Minnesota State (2)1
1Western Michigan (3)2*
4Northeastern1
1Western Michigan (3)0
NortheastWorcester – Fri/Sun
2Minnesota3
2Minnesota4*
3Massachusetts3
NE2Minnesota1
E1Minnesota State (2)5
1Minnesota State (2)4
4Harvard3
1Minnesota State (2)1
EastAlbany – Thu/Sat
3Notre Dame0
2North Dakota1
3Notre Dame2*

* denotes overtime period

Awards


Atlantic Hockey

Award [14]Recipient
Player of the YearChris Theodore, American International
Rookie of the YearCarter Wilkie, RIT
Best Defensive ForwardJake Stella, American International
Best DefensemanZak Galambos, American International
Individual Sportsmanship AwardDaniel Haider, Army
Regular Season Scoring TrophyColin Bilek, Army
Neil Shea, Sacred Heart
Regular Season Goaltending AwardJake Kucharski, American International
Coach of the YearEric Lang, American International
Tournament MVPBlake Bennett, American International
All-Atlantic Hockey Teams[15]
First Team  Position  Second Team
Jacob Barczewski, CanisiusGGavin Abric, Army
Zak Galambos, American InternationalDAnthony Firriolo, Army
Drew Bavaro, BentleyDLogan Britt, Sacred Heart
Chris Theodore, American InternationalFKeaton Mastrodonato, Canisius
Colin Bilek, ArmyFNeil Shea, Sacred Heart
Will Calverley, RITFJake Stella, American International
Third Team  Position  Rookie Team
Jake Kucharski, American InternationalGTommy Scarfone, RIT
Brandon Koch, Air ForceDLuis Lindner, American International
David Melaragni, CanisiusDMitchell Digby, Air Force
Braeden Tuck, Sacred HeartFCarter Wilkie, RIT
Carson Brière, MercyhurstFClayton Cosentino, Air Force
Ryan Leibold, Holy CrossFShane Ott, Niagara


CCHA

AwardRecipient
Player of the YearDryden McKay, Minnesota State
Forward of the YearNathan Smith, Minnesota State
Defenseman of the YearJake Livingstone, Minnesota State
Goaltender of the YearDryden McKay, Minnesota State
Rookie of the YearBradley Marek, Ferris State
Coach of the YearMike Hastings, Minnesota State
All-CCHA Teams
First Team[17]  Position  Second Team[18]
Dryden McKay, Minnesota StateGBlake Pietila, Michigan Tech
Jake Livingstone, Minnesota StateDColin Swoyer, Michigan Tech
Elias Rosén, Bemidji StateDJacob Bengtsson, Lake Superior State
Nathan Smith, Minnesota StateFOwen Sillinger, Bemidji State
Brian Halonen, Michigan TechFLouis Boudon, Lake Superior State
Julian Napravnik, Minnesota StateFTrenton Bliss, Michigan Tech
FAJ Vanderbeck, Northern Michigan
Rookie Team[19]  Position  
Mattias Sholl, Bemidji StateG
Charlie Glockner, Northern MichiganG
Eric Parker, Bowling GreenD
Bennett Zmolek, Minnesota StateD
Bradley Marek, Ferris StateF
Austen Swankler, Bowling GreenF
Josh Nixon, Lake Superior StateF

Hockey East

AwardRecipient
Player of the YearBobby Trivigno, Massachusetts
Best Defensive ForwardJáchym Kondelík, Connecticut
Best Defensive DefensemanJordan Harris, Northeastern
Rookie of the YearDevon Levi, Northeastern
Goaltending ChampionDevon Levi, Northeastern
Len Ceglarski Sportmanship AwardJackson Pierson, New Hampshire
Three Stars AwardDevon Levi, Northeastern
Scoring ChampionBobby Trivigno, Massachusetts
Charlie Holt Team Sportsmanship AwardMassachusetts
Bob Kullen Award (Coach of the Year)Jerry Keefe, Northeastern
William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable PlayerBobby Trivigno, Massachusetts
All-Hockey East Teams[24][25]
First Team  Position  Second Team
Devon Levi, NortheasternGOwen Savory, Massachusetts Lowell
Jordan Harris, NortheasternDDeclan Carlile, Merrimack
Scott Morrow, MassachusettsDDomenick Fensore, Boston University
Aidan McDonough, NortheasternFJáchym Kondelík, Connecticut
Bobby Trivigno, MassachusettsFJack McBain, Boston College
Ryan Tverberg, ConnecticutFWilmer Skoog, Boston University
Third Team  Position  Rookie Team
Matt Murray, MassachusettsGDevon Levi, Northeastern
Max Crozier, ProvidenceDTy Gallagher, Boston University
Matthew Kessel, MassachusettsDScott Morrow, Massachusetts
Jack St. Ivany, Boston CollegeDRyan Ufko, Massachusetts
DDavid Breazeale, Maine
Brett Berard, ProvidenceFMatt Crasa, Massachusetts Lowell
Carl Berglund, Massachusetts LowellFJustin Hryckowian, Northeastern
Andre Lee, Massachusetts LowellFJack Hughes, Northeastern

2022 NHL Entry Draft

RoundPickPlayerCollegeConferenceNHL team
13Logan Cooley MinnesotaBig TenArizona Coyotes
15Cutter Gauthier Boston CollegeHockey EastPhiladelphia Flyers
113Frank Nazar MichiganBig TenChicago Blackhawks
114Rutger McGroarty MichiganBig TenWinnipeg Jets
123Jimmy Snuggerud MinnesotaBig TenSt. Louis Blues
125Sam Rinzel MinnesotaBig TenChicago Blackhawks
131Isaac Howard Minnesota DuluthNCHCTampa Bay Lightning
234Cameron Lund NortheasternHockey EastSan Jose Sharks
237Ryan Chesley MinnesotaBig TenWashington Capitals
240Dylan James North DakotaNCHCDetroit Red Wings
246Seamus Casey MichiganBig TenNew Jersey Devils
251Jack HughesNortheasternHockey EastLos Angeles Kings
256Rieger Lorenz DenverNCHCMinnesota Wild
257Ryan Greene Boston UniversityHockey EastChicago Blackhawks
262Lane Hutson Boston UniversityHockey EastMontreal Canadiens
367Miko Mitikka DenverNCHCArizona Coyotes
369Devin Kaplan Boston UniversityHockey EastPhiladelphia Flyers
376Michael Fisher PrincetonECAC HockeySan Jose Sharks
378Quinn Finley WisconsinBig TenNew York Islanders
382Adam Ingram St. Cloud StateNCHCNashville Predators
383George Fegaras CornellECAC HockeyDallas Stars
390Aidan Thompson DenverNCHCChicago Blackhawks
391Ben MacDonald HarvardECAC HockeySeattle Kraken
395Nicholas Moldenhauer MichiganBig TenToronto Maple Leafs
499Garrett Brown DenverNCHCWinnipeg Jets
4100Tyson Jugnauth WisconsinBig TenSeattle Kraken
4103Kenny Connors MassachusettsHockey EastLos Angeles Kings
4104Stephen Halliday Ohio StateBig TenOttawa Senators
4111Noah Laba ColgateECAC HockeyNew York Rangers
4112Daimon Gardner ClarksonECAC HockeyVancouver Canucks
4114Cole O'Hara MassachusettsHockey EastNashville Predators
4117Cole Spicer North DakotaNCHCBoston Bruins
4121Ryan Healey HarvardECAC HockeyMinnesota Wild
4124Cruz Lucius WisconsinBig TenCarolina Hurricanes
4126Charles Leddy Boston CollegeHockey EastNew Jersey Devils
4128Cameron Whitehead NortheasternHockey EastVegas Golden Knights
5131Matthew Morden HarvardECAC HockeyArizona Coyotes
5133Alex Bump VermontHockey EastPhiladelphia Flyers
5143Cameron O'Neill MassachusettsHockey EastOttawa Senators
5150Zam Plante Minnesota DuluthNCHCPittsburgh Penguins
5154Michael Callow HarvardECAC HockeyAnaheim Ducks
5159Vittorio ManciniOmahaNCHCNew York Rangers
6162Emmett Croteau ClarksonECAC HockeyMontreal Canadiens
6164Barrett Hall St. Cloud StateNCHCSeattle Kraken
6165Hunter McDonald NortheasternHockey EastPhiladelphia Flyers
6169Jared Wright ColgateECAC HockeyLos Angeles Kings
6170Jake Richard ConnecticutHockey EastBuffalo Sabres
6172Joey Muldowney ConnecticutHockey EastSan Jose Sharks
6173Dominic JamesMinnesota DuluthNCHCChicago Blackhawks
6176Jackson Dorrington NortheasternHockey EastVancouver Canucks
6180Jack Sparkes Michigan StateBig TenLos Angeles Kings
6182Luke Devlin CornellECAC HockeyPittsburgh Penguins
6189Tyler Muszelik New HampshireHockey EastFlorida Panthers
6191Zakary KarpaHarvardECAC HockeyNew York Rangers
6192Connor Kurth MinnesotaBig TenTampa Bay Lightning
6193Chris Romaine ProvidenceHockey EastColorado Avalanche
7195Eli Barnett VermontHockey EastSan Jose Sharks
7201Owen Mehlenbacher WisconsinBig TenDetroit Red Wings
7203James Fisher NortheasternHockey EastColumbus Blue Jackets
7204Adam Zlnka NortheasternHockey EastArizona Coyotes
7206Tyson Dyck MassachusettsHockey EastOttawa Senators
7209Abram Wiebe North DakotaNCHCVegas Golden Knights
7210Ben Striden North DakotaNCHCNashville Predators
7212Brennan Ali Notre DameBig TenDetroit Red Wings
7213David GucciardiMichigan StateBig TenWashington Capitals
7217Reese Laubach Minnesota StateCCHASan Jose Sharks
7219Cade Littler Minnesota StateCCHACalgary Flames
7221Jack DevineDenverNCHCFlorida Panthers
7222Joel MaattaVermontHockey EastEdmonton Oilers

† incoming freshman[29]

See also

References