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2024-25 Men's College Hockey Power Rankings

2024-25 Men's College Hockey Preseason Power Rankings

FloHockey's weekly power rankings for the 2024-25 men's college hockey season.

Chris Peters delivers weekly power rankings for men's college hockey every week over the course of the 2024-25 season. 

1. Denver

The defending champions have one of the best returning defensemen in the country in Zeev Buium (MIN) who will be leaned on heavily. They also have goaltender Matt Davis returning after one of the all-time great performances in the Frozen Four. DU has lost a fair amount of scoring from last season, however, which is a legitimate concern. That said, senior Jack Devine (FLA) is back for one more go after topping 50 points. They’ve got a good core in place with a high-end recruiting class and some transfers filling other holes.

2. Boston College

Out have gone Will Smith (SJS) and Cutter Gauthier (ANA), but the Eagles retained Ryan Leonard (WSH), Gabe Perreault (NYR) and goaltender Jacob Fowler (MTL), who are all back for their sophomore seasons. On top of that, BC has the No. 1 recruit in James Hagens, who could go first-overall in the next draft. They also added first-round pick Dean Letourneau (BOS) and second-rounders Will Skahan (UTA) and Teddy Stiga (NSH) to the mix. Fowler, to me, is the X-factor for this team in that he was among the best goalies in the country as a freshman, but I also like what BC has on its back end.

3. Michigan State

The Spartans have lost top defenseman Artyom Levshunov (CHI) to the NHL, but they retained the vast majority of the rest of their roster including critical veterans Red Savage (DET) and Isaac Howard (TBL). They also picked up a key transfer in Minnesota Wild first-round pick Charlie Stramel. The Spartans are a top team still, however, because they have one of the best goalies in the country in Trey Augustine (DET). He has the potential to carry this team a long way.

4. Minnesota

Minnesota has a lot of experience coming back this year. Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) is a legitimate Hobey Baker candidate, but the Gophers also brought in UConn transfer and Nashville Predators first-rounder Matthew Wood, who bolsters the scoring attack further. This Gophers roster will be fast, they should have a solid blue line with a lot of returnees back with Sam Rinzel (CHI), Ryan Chesley (WSH) and Mike Koster (TOR) among key rearguards. The big unanswered question, however, is if Minnesota has a goalie that can keep them competitive. That's an unanswered question that is obviously a pretty big one.

5. North Dakota

North Dakota is going to be especially deep this year, bolstered by an exciting recruiting class that includes first-round picks E.J. Emery (NYR) and Sacha Boisvert (CHI). Last year’s USHL MVP Mac Swanson (PIT) is also part of that class, while UND also added key transfers in former RIT sniper Carter Wilkie and Arizona State goalie T.J. Semptimphelter who makes them deeper in net. There are yet plenty of unknowns about this team, but there’s a lot to like about the potential of this Fighting Hawks roster.

6. Cornell

The Big Red is light on star power, but long on experience. That’s especially true of goalie Ian Shane, who will head into his fourth season as the starting netminder with 84 career appearances and a .920 save percentage. Additionally, this is head coach Mike Schafer’s final year behind the bench in Ithaca. This season will have a little extra meaning.

7. Boston University

The Terriers are dealing with a few key losses including Hobey Baker winner Macklin Celebrini (SJS) and top defenseman Lane Hutson (MTL). There’s a solid recruiting class entering, but those outgoing players are irreplaceable. Goals should be in plentiful supply, however, with the addition of first-round pick Cole Eiserman (NYI), the NTDP’s all-time leading goal scorer, who will be looking to make an immediate impact.

8. Wisconsin

Wisconsin saw a lot of roster turnover via the transfer portal, both going out and coming in. A good chunk of their offense from last year is gone, but this is a team that will be expected to defend at a high level. Head coach Mike Hastings has fewer high-end skill players, but more experience. Look for Quinn Finley (NYI) and Christian Fitzgerald to be focal points of the offense, with RIT transfer Cody Laskosky potentially playing an outsized role as well. The Badgers also brought in experienced RIT goalie Tommy Scarfone, who was Atlantic Hockey’s top netminder last season.

9. Providence

Head coach Nate Leaman may have his best recruiting class since he got to Providence. Led by first-round pick Trevor Connelly (VGK) and Day 2 draft picks John Mustard (CHI) and Logan Sawyer (MTL), there are higher expectations for the Friars’ offense next season. There should be some expectations of improvement in net as well as PC went out and landed Merrimack goalie Zachary Borgiel in the transfer portal. This is a team of extremes with so many new players, but also 11 seniors and graduate students on the roster.

10. Michigan

The Wolverines always seem to find a way, but I have a hard time seeing them not take a step back this season. They lost so much over the last few seasons, but there’s still a lot to like. Montreal Canadiens first-rounder Michael Hage is the centerpiece of the recruiting class, but veteran players like T.J. Hughes, Josh Eernisse, Nick Moldenhauer (TOR) and Wisconsin transfer William Whitelaw (CBJ) are going to help score. There are some big questions about what goaltending will look like next season and the defense has some holes as well. I think they’ll be good enough to stay competitive, but contending for championships could be a different story.

11. Quinnipiac

The Bobcats have a lot to replace and will welcome a freshman class of nine players, with a number of transfers in there, too, including former BU forward Jeremy Wilmer. One of the most exciting rookies is going to be Christopher Pelosi (BOS), who is in the mix for the U.S. World Junior team. There’s a lot of unknown about this QU team, but you know they’ll be ready to play and won’t be an easy out in any game.

12. Maine

The Maine resurgence last season was a sight for sore eyes for many in college hockey as the Black Bears hadn’t grasped relevance quite the way they did last season. They lost one of their top scorers in Bradly Nadeau (CAR) to the NHL, but they kept his brother and fellow high-scorer Josh Nadeau who will be viewed as the offensive catalyst for this steam. Maine’s chances next year reside largely in their overall experience and if Albin Boija can maintain a high level in the net as he did down the stretch last season as a freshman.

13. UMass

UMass will have a very, very young blue line next year, which is a bit of a concern, but they have so much talent up front. Veterans like Dans Locmelis (BOS), Kenny Connors (LAK) and Lucas Mercuri (CAR) should be real difference-makers, among others. Goalie Michael Hrabal (UTA) is one of the other exciting players who could benefit from a year of experience and has the talent to take over games when he needs to. Odds are, there will be times they'll lean on the big netminder heavily.

14. Western Michigan

The Broncos should not be sneaking up on anyone at this point. They’ve put together winning rosters in recent years and I think they have that again this season. The big addition is USHL Goalie of the Year Hampton Slukynsky (LAK), who makes WMU deeper with Cam Rowe the incumbent starter. Alex Bump (PHI) proved he was a difference-maker last year and should be among the top scorers in the NCHC this season.

15. Colorado College

The Tigers don’t have a ton of star power, but they do have momentum. They also have depth in net with reigning NCHC goalie of the year Kaidan Mbereko and incoming goalie Carsen Musser (UTA). A big win for CC was getting Gleb Veremyev to stay after getting NHL interest last year as a free agent. Noah Laba (NYR) is another key returnee, while transfer Ty Gallagher (BOS) could help shore up a relatively young blue line in Colorado Springs.

16. Minnesota Duluth

The Bulldogs are flying under the radar, but they have a sneaky good recruiting class featuring a potential top goalie in Adam Gajan (CHI), brothers Zam (PIT) and Max Plante (DET), Jayson Shaugabay (TBL) and early second-round pick defenseman Adam Kleber (BUF) coming in. The biggest addition, though, is probably a healthy Dominic James (CHI) who missed almost all of last season with an injury. This team is starting to shape up a bit more with a ton of size on the back end and more skill than they normally have up front. They’ll be a fascinating team to watch.

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