NCAA Tournament Preview

For the first time since 1970, Boston College, Boston University, Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota have all failed to reach the NCAA postseason – and back then it was only a four-team field. The 2019 Tournament field has been announced and it is truly a changing of the guard in the college ranks. However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t still considerable NHL talent on display for the 16 teams whose seasons are still alive. Here’s what the bracket looks like for next weekend’s slate of games:

West Regional – Fargo, North Dakota

1) St. Cloud State University
4) American International College

2) Denver University
3) Ohio State University

St. Cloud State is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. First-rounder Ryan Poehling (MTL) leads a well-rounded group that also includes fellow forwards Patrick Newell (undrafted) and Sam Hentges (MIN), defensemen Jimmy Schuldt (undrafted) and Nick Perbix (TB), and goaltender David Hrenak (LA). They have the easiest first round match-up in the tournament, facing Atlantic Hockey Champion American International. The team has done well for themselves this year, but are the lowest-ranked team in the field and lack any real NHL prospects outside of top scorer Blake Christensen (undrafted). The other half of the region features a tough contest between two talented teams. The Denver Pioneers, led by solid defensive prospect Ian Mitchell (CHI), also feature a deep corps of forwards like Mathias Emilio Pettersen (CGY), Cole Guttman (TB), Brett Stapley (MTL), and Liam Finlay (undrafted), as well as defenseman Slava Demin (VGK) and goaltender Filip Larsson (DET). They go up against the Ohio State Buckeyes and senior captain Mason Jobst (undrafted). The roster also includes forwards Tanner Laczynski (PHI), Carson Meyer (CLB), Dakota Joshua (TOR), and Miguel Fidler (FLA), along with defenseman Ryan O’Connell (TOR). Denver-OSU is arguably the most even first-round match-up.

Northeast Regional – Manchester, New Hampshire

1) University of Massachusetts
4) Harvard University

2) Clarkson University
3) Notre Dame University

Cale Makar (COL), considered by many to be the top prospect in college hockey, heads up a strong UMass team enjoying its best season in program history. Fellow defensemen Mario Ferraro (SJ) and Ivan Chukarov (BUF) are part of a deep blue line, while John Leonard (SJ) and Mitchell Chafee (undrafted) lead the forward corps. They have their work cut out for them though, facing in-state rival Harvard and another elite prospect in blue liner Adam Fox (CAR). He’s not alone either; Reilly Walsh (NJ), Jack Rathbone (VAN), and John Marino (EDM) form a formidable top-four, while Jack Drury (CAR) and Jack Badini (ANA) are capable forwards as well. Elsewhere in the region, Clarkson and star two-way forward Nico Sturm (undrafted) are fresh off an ECAC title. They may need a strong effort from another forward, Nick Campoli (VGK), and starting goalie Jake Kielly (undrafted) to avoid an upset though. The Big Ten champions Notre Dame are a tough out, featuring eight NHL draft picks and several more pro prospects. The blue line is stacked with Andrew Peeke (CBJ), Bobby Nardella (undrafted), Matt Hellickson (NJ), Spencer Stastney (NSH), Nick Leivermann (COL), and Nate Clurman (COL). Meanwhile Cale Morris (undrafted) has been stellar in net, and the forward group including Cam Morrison (COL) and Jake Pivonka (NYI) have been solid as well. It feels like UMass got a relatively easy draw however, especially considering they were the final No. 1 seed.

East Regional – Providence, Rhode Island

1) Minnesota State University – Mankato
4) Providence College

2) Northeastern University
3) Cornell University

The reward for a top seed for Minnesota State? A meeting with Providence in their home city. Fortunately, the Mavericks have defied the odds all season long. Despite lacking any NHL draft picks, the team has gotten strong play in net and in all three zones. Keeper Dryden McKay (undrafted) and high-scoring German forwards Marc Michaelis (undrafted) and Parker Tuomie (undrafted) will continue to be the keys to success. Providence is a strong team even without home ice advantage though; the Friars have ten draftees, including forwards Jack Dugan (VGK), Brandon Duhaime (MIN), Kasper Bjorkqvist (PIT), and Jay O’Brien (PHI), defensemen Jacob Bryson (BUF), Ben Mirageas (NYI), Vincent Desharnais (EDM), and Michael Callahan (ARI), and starting goalie Hayden Hawkey (MTL). Throw in sought-after free agent forward Josh Wilkins (undrafted) and Providence is a dangerous threat. The other two teams in the region are no joke either. Northeastern, another Hockey East power house, is led by star goalie Cayden Primeau (MTL) and freshman forward Tyler Madden (VAN). Add in a blue line that features Jeremy Davies (NJ), Ryan Shea (CHI), and Jordan Harris (MTL) as well as forwards Matt Filipe (CAR) and Zach Solow (undrafted), and the Huskies are a real threat. They face off with Cornell and leading scorer Morgan Barron (NYR), as well as forward Beau Starrett (CHI) and defensemen Matt Cairns (EDM) and Alex Green (TB). Whoever emerges from this region will be battle-tested heading into the Frozen Four.

Midwest Regional – Allentown, Pennsylvania

1) University of Minnesota – Duluth
4) Bowling Green State University

2) Quinnipiac University
3) Arizona State University

The defending champs are a top seed again, as the UMD Bulldogs begin their title defense against Bowling Green. The team lost considerable talent after last season, but still sport a very talented lineup. The team is deep and balanced on the blue line with Scott Perunovich (STL), Mikey Anderson (LA), and Dylan Samberg (WPG) and have top forwards like Noah Cates (PHI), Nick Swaney (MIN), Riley Tufte (DAL), and Cole Koepke (TB) as well. Bowling Green isn’t as loaded, but has enjoyed great seasons from forward Brandon Kruse (VGK) and Max Johnson (undrafted) and have experienced defenseman Adam Smith (NSH) and standout goalie Ryan Bednard (FLA) to fall back on as well. Arizona State makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance in just its third year as a Division I program and could very well pick up their first tourney win behind the tremendous play of goalie Joey Daccord (OTT) and forwards Johnny Walker (undrafted) and Demetrios Koumontzis (CGY). Quinnipiac won’t be easy to beat, though. Goalie tandem Andrew Shortridge (undrafted) and Keith Petruzelli (DET) and a defense core of Chase Priskie (WSH), Karlis Cukste (SJ), and Peter DiLiberatore (VGK) make the Bobcats hard to score against, while Odeen Tufto (undrafted) is a dynamic presence up front. If Quinnipiac can bounce back from an early exit from their conference tournament, they could knock off the defending champs next weekend.