NCAA Division I Roundup
Early season top stories, games and more from NCAA Division I.
Vote on CHL Players in NCAA
The NCAA Division I council will vote on NCAA eligibility at their November meetings for players of the CHL (WHL, OHL, QMJHL). If approved, CHL players would be allowed to commit for the 2025-2026 season.
Weekend of Upsets
Ohio State went on the road, and upset #13 Wisconsin with a weekend sweep, 2-1 Friday in OT followed by another 2-1 win. Max Montes had a weekend for OSU, scoring twice including the OT winner Friday, and the eventual game winner Saturday.
With the upset of #5 North Dakota already under their belt from their opening weekend, Augustana pulled off another upset weekend, sweeping #12 Nebraska Omaha 2-1, and 4-0 last weekend. Clarkson Transfer Luke Mobley opened the scoring in both games for the Vikings, while Josh Kotai stopped 76 of 77 on the weekend. Kotai is now posting a 1.01GAA and .969 save % through 4 games this season.
Top 25 Matchups
A Hockey East vs ECAC battle, #9 Maine swept #7 Quinnipiac in 2 games, 2-1 and 6-5 to improve to 3-0 on the season. 2 1st period goals by Nolan Renwick and Charlie Russell were the difference Friday night, and David Breazeale was the OT hero Saturday after the Black Bears squandered a 4-1 lead, tying the game late to force OT.
The top team in the nation improved to 4-0 with 2, 5-2 wins for a weekend sweep over #19 Northeastern. Denver’s Carter King had 3 goals on the weekend, with the Pioneers never trailing in either game.
#5 North Dakota opened their season vs #13 Providence, and the tough schedule continued last weekend, traveling to #20 Minnesota Mankato for a weekend series. Josh Groll scored twice for Mankato in game 1, before a 3rd period comeback for North Dakota resulted in a 3-2 win. But Groll and the Mavericks responded in game 2 with a 3-0 shutout.
Groll scoring his 3rd of the weekend, while Alex Tracy pitched a 27 save shutout. Chicago Blackhawks’ 1st round pick Sacha Boisvert will be one of the many pro prospects to watch on North Dakota, added 2 assists to his season totals in game 1.
Goaltenders and team defense stole the show as #10 Michigan and #13 St Cloud State split their series with shutouts in each game. Montreal Canadians 2024 draft choice Michael Hage scored again in a 3-0 win in game 1, backstopped by Logan Stein’s 21 save shutout, his 1st career collegiate shutout.
Game 2 was a 1-0 game until 3, 3rd period goals by St Cloud to improve to 4-1 with the 4-0 win. Sophomore Isak Posch stopped 57 of 59 on the weekend for St Cloud State, the former NAHL goaltender and native of Sweden has started all 5 games this season.
2025 Draft Watch
James Hagens - Forward - Boston College
The projected 1st overall pick has points in his first 3 NCAA games, with his 1st goal coming this past weekend vs American International. The ultra-skilled, dynamic skating center scored Saturday against his former team in USNTDP, a 8-4 BC win.
Cullen Potter - Forward - Arizona State
Potter was productive this past weekend despite the 2 losses to Providence with 8 shots, a crafty skater with well rounded offensive ability. ASU is on the road until 11/15 for a weekend vs Nebraska Omaha, 2 tough matchups vs Northern Michigan and Colorado College. Production will be important to watch obviously but has the ability to produce against the top in the NCAA, with Arizona State now part of the NCHC.
Games To Watch
Friday - #1 Denver vs #20 Wisconsin
Saturday - #3 Boston University vs #7 North Dakota
Saturday - #2 Boston College vs #14 Western Michigan
Saturday - #16 Nebraska Omaha vs #18 Minnesota State
Top Plays
Michael Hage - Forward - Michigan
Video - 1:24
Montreal Canadians’ 2024 1st rounder does it himself for his 4th goal of the season, an unbelievable individual effort of patience and crafty hands. Hage has points in all 5 games for the Wolverines this season, with this latest goal extending his goal scoring streak to 4 games.
Max Montes - Forward - Ohio State
Video - 1:34, 3:24
Montes scored 2 beauties Friday night including the OT winner, adding another Saturday night. The sophomore, former USHL Dubuque Fighting Saint has 5 goals on the season, scoring in each of OSU’s 4 games.
Jake Krbecek - Goaltender - Bowling Green
Video - 2:38
Former NAHL goaltender with Philadelphia Jakub Krbecek makes an unreal desperation glove save in RIT’s Saturday night OT loss to Bowling Green.
Gleb Veremyev - Forward - Colorado College
Video - 2:20
6’4” Gleb Veremyev snipes short side for his 1st goal of the season 10/11. The 6’4” junior is coming off 15G 13A in 37 games last year, and has a goal and an assist in each of CC’s 2 games.
