Denver Eyes Back-to-Back Glory: Can the Championship King Defend the Crown

Four teams. One city. One shot at the national title. The 2025 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four is set, and the lineup has everything you’d want—traditional powers like Denver, surprise contenders, and future NHL stars all hitting the ice in St. Louis. Whether you’re a die-hard college hockey fan or just tuning in for the drama, this year’s final four has something for everyone.

Let’s break down how each team got here, who to watch, and what it’ll take for them to skate away as champions.

Denver: The Defending Champs Are Back—and Just as Dangerous

If you’re looking for experience and consistency, Denver’s your team. The Pioneers know what it takes to win this whole thing—they did it last year, and they’re back looking to go back-to-back for the fourth time in school history.

They’ve already hit 30 wins again this season (for the fourth straight year), and their offense has been clicking. Jack Devine and Aidan Thompson are first and second in the nation in points. Then there’s defenseman Zeev Buium, who’s been straight-up dominant—scoring, defending, and making it all look smooth as can be.

In the regionals, Denver rolled over Providence, then beat Boston College—the No. 1 overall seed—in a revenge match from last year’s title game. What really stood out? Their defensive discipline. They pressure the puck like crazy, especially through the middle, and make life miserable for opposing teams trying to set up their offense.

What they need to win:
Keep playing smart, fast, and physical. Their special teams are scary good, and if they stay locked in on defense, they’re tough to beat.

Player to watch:
Zeev Buium. The guy can take over a game. He’s got NHL-level vision and skating, and he shines in big moments. Expect to see him on the ice a lot.

Western Michigan: First-Timers with Firepower

Western Michigan has never made it to the Frozen Four—until now. But don’t let that “first-timer” label fool you. These guys are legit. They’ve won 32 games (a school record), are riding an 8-game win streak, and just knocked off UMass and Minnesota State to get here.

What makes them so dangerous? Depth. All four lines can score, and they play with relentless energy. They’re also one of the best two-way teams in the country, averaging just over 3.9 goals a game while giving up barely two. That’s balance.

Then there’s freshman goalie Hampton Slukynsky. In Fargo, he let in just two goals over nearly 150 minutes of play. Not bad for a guy still in his first year.

What they need to win:
Keep the pressure on. Their depth means they can wear teams down. If Slukynsky holds strong and they play smart, they could write a perfect underdog story.

Player to watch:
Liam Valente. He was a force in the regionals and has a cannon for a shot. If he gets time and space, watch out.

Boston University: Speed, Skill, and the Hutson Brothers Show

BU’s back again—this is their third straight Frozen Four. But they haven’t played for the championship since 2015, and they’re hungry.

They made a statement in Toledo by steamrolling Ohio State and then outlasting Cornell in a tight overtime thriller. A big part of their success has come from the Hutson brothers—Quinn and Cole—who lead the team in points and have been absolute game-changers.

Their coach, Jay Pandolfo, is making history too. He’s reached the Frozen Four in each of his first three seasons behind the bench—something only two other coaches in NCAA history have done.

BU plays a high-tempo game, loves to attack off the rush, and has some serious offensive firepower. The big question has always been their defense, but in the regionals, they buckled down and gave their goalie the support he needed.

What they need to win:
Stick to their speed game, but take care of business in their own zone. If they play responsible defense and keep their transition game humming, they can go all the way.

Player to watch:
Cole Hutson. Just like his older brother Lane (now tearing it up with the Canadiens), Cole lives for the spotlight. He’s electric and makes something happen every time he touches the puck.

Source: Men’s Frozen Four: Championship preview, predictions, stats

Penn State: The Cinderella with Nothing to Lose

At the start of the year, not many people had Penn State going this far. But here they are—making the program’s first-ever Frozen Four appearance and riding a wave of momentum that’s hard to ignore.

They were the lowest seed in their regional, but took down top-seeded Maine with a huge 5-1 win, then survived a dramatic overtime battle against UConn to punch their ticket.

What’s changed? Everything. Since mid-January, they’ve only lost three times. After starting the Big Ten season 0-8-1, they’ve gone on an absolute tear. Their second line—Charlie Cerrato, Matt DiMarsico, and JJ Wiebusch—has been incredible, especially in the regional games.

Speed is their weapon. They come flying out of the gate, swarm pucks, and catch teams off-guard early. That burst of energy has fueled their upsets so far—and they’re hoping it’ll carry them even further.

What they need to win:
Keep playing loose and fast. They’ve embraced their underdog role and have the belief to match. If they can catch BU flat-footed early, they’ve got a real shot.

Player to watch:
Charlie Cerrato. This freshman has been everywhere, racking up assists and creating chances. He’s been a major reason for their postseason magic.

What to Expect in St. Louis

On paper, Denver vs. Western Michigan is the battle of powerhouses—but don’t sleep on BU or Penn State. All four teams bring something unique, and the matchups are packed with storylines.

• Denver vs. Western Michigan is a rematch of a recent double-OT thriller in the NCHC title game. Expect another chess match between two elite teams.
  
• BU vs. Penn State is a first-ever meeting, pitting raw speed and offensive flair against underdog grit and high-energy chaos.
  

Between the four schools, there are 38 NHL draft picks suiting up, including some names you’ll be seeing on highlight reels for years to come. BU leads the way with 14, followed by Denver (13), Western Michigan (8), and Penn State (3).

But as any hockey fan knows—stars help, but depth, defense, and goaltending win tournaments.

Final Thoughts

Will Denver become back-to-back champs? Can Western Michigan make history in their first trip? Is BU ready to break through and reclaim the crown? Or will Penn State pull off the most unexpected title run in years?

No matter how it plays out, this Frozen Four is going to be unforgettable.

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