Selection Show: Tune in to ESPNU on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. ET to see the 16 teams selected for the tournament.
Automatic Bids: Six conference tournament champions will receive automatic bids.
At-Large Bids: The remaining 10 teams will be selected at-large based on the NCAA Percentage Index (NPI).
Regionals: Games will be held Thursday, March 26, through Sunday, March 29.
Frozen Four: Semifinals are Thursday, April 9, and the final is Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
New England Teams: Six New England schools—Bentley, UConn, Dartmouth, Merrimack, Providence, and Quinnipiac—are anticipated to be in the tournament field.
UConn's Upset: UConn's defeat of Boston University and Boston College in the Hockey East tournament marked the first time since 1981 that none of the Beanpot schools advanced to the NCAA tournament.
Potential Matchups: Based on the NCAA Percentage Index, potential first-round matchups include Michigan vs. Bentley, North Dakota vs. Merrimack, and Michigan State vs. UConn.
The 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship promises thrilling matchups and intense competition as teams vie for a coveted spot in the Frozen Four. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:
Bracket Projections:
According to projections, the tournament could shape up as follows:
Albany (Friday-Sunday)
No. 1 Michigan vs. 16 Bentley
No. 8 Minnesota-Duluth vs. No. 11 Cornell
Worcester (Thursday-Saturday)
No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 UConn
No. 6 Dartmouth vs. No. 9 Penn State
Sioux Falls (Thursday-Saturday)
No 2. North Dakota vs. 15 Merrimack
No. 7 Providence vs. No. 10 Quinnipiac
Loveland (Friday-Sunday)
No. 4 Western Michigan vs. No. 13 Minnesota State
No. 5 Denver vs. No. 12 Wisconsin
Key Teams to Watch:
Michigan: Projected as the No. 1 overall seed.
North Dakota: Expected to be the top seed in the Sioux Falls regional.
Michigan State: Likely to be the top seed in Worcester.
Denver: A perennial contender with a history of success in the tournament. Denver has the most national championships of any DI men's hockey program with 10.
The tournament is divided into four regionals: Albany, N.Y.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Worcester; and Loveland, Colo. Four teams will be sent to each.
When is the selection show?
The selection show is Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Where is the Frozen Four?
The 2026 Frozen Four will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
Which teams are favored to win?
Michigan, North Dakota, and Michigan State are among the top contenders based on current projections.
How many teams make the tournament?
Sixteen teams qualify for the tournament.
Stay informed about the 2026 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship by tuning into the selection show on March 22. Keep an eye on the top-seeded teams and potential upsets as the tournament progresses. The journey to the Frozen Four promises to be filled with exciting hockey action.
Which team do you think will win the 2026 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship? Share your predictions and join the conversation!
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