Live updates: Frozen Four semifinals for Boston U-Denver, Boston College-Michigan
The NCAA Division I season culminates this week with the Frozen Four and the awarding of the Hobey Baker Award to the best men’s NCAA hockey player.
The NCAA Men’s Tournament semifinals will be played at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, with Boston University against the University of Denver (5 p.m. ET; ESPN2), and Boston College taking on the University of Michigan (8:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2). The winners will face off in the championship game Saturday (6 p.m. ET; ESPN2).
The four schools have combined to win 28 NCAA championships, and the rosters feature 51 NHL draft picks, including seven selected in the first round.
Two of the three Hobey Baker Award finalists will play in the Frozen Four: Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini, the likely No. 1 pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, and Boston College forward Cutter Gauthier, an Anaheim Ducks prospect. North Dakota forward Jackson Blake, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect, is also a finalist; the winner will be named Friday (6 p.m. ET; NHLN).
Here is a goalie, a defenseman and a forward to watch on each of the Frozen Four teams:
BOSTON COLLEGE
Jacob Fowler, G (Montreal Canadiens)
The 19-year-old freshman is one of three finalists for the Mike Richter Award, given to the top men’s NCAA goalie. He is 31-5-1 with a 2.20 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and two shutouts while starting all 37 of Boston College’s games this season.
Eamon Powell, D (Tampa Bay Lightning)
The senior captain is a solid all-around defenseman who quarterbacks a power play that had a success rate of 29.9 percent, second among NCAA teams to Michigan (34.5 percent).
Cutter Gauthier, F (Anaheim Ducks)
The 20-year-old sophomore is expected to play his final college games this weekend, as he’s expected to sign his entry-level contract with the Ducks after his NCAA season ends. Gauthier leads NCAA players with 37 goals in 39 games and is tied with Celebrini for second in scoring with 64 points.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Mathieu Caron, G
The undrafted 24-year-old junior spent two years at Brown University before transferring to Boston University this season. He’s 28-9-2 with a 2.37 GAA, .915 save percentage and two shutouts in 39 games.
Lane Hutson, D (Montreal Canadiens)
A dynamic offensive defenseman, Hutson is tied for the lead among NCAA defensemen with 49 points (15 goals, 34 assists) in 37 games.
Macklin Celebrini, F
The 17-year-old freshman is the youngest player in NCAA hockey and is tied with Gauthier for second among players with 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 37 games. He was named rookie of the year and player of the year in Hockey East and is No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm ranking of North American skaters for the 2024 draft and No. 1 on NHL.com’s Top 32.
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
Matt Davis, G
The undrafted 22-year-old junior returned on Jan. 5 after missing more than two months because of an injury and has gotten better as the season has gone on. He enters the Frozen Four with seven straight wins and has allowed one goal in each of his past three games.
Zeev Buium, D
The left-handed shot is an elite skater who could be a top-10 pick in the 2024 draft. He’s No. 4 in Central Scouting’s midterm ranking of North American skaters and No. 5 in NHL.com’s Top 32.
Jack Devine, F (Florida Panthers)
The 20-year-old junior is seventh among NCAA players with 56 points (27 goals, 29 assists) in 42 games.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Jake Barczewski, G
The undrafted 25-year-old played four seasons at Canisius College before transferring to Michigan to play as a graduate student this season. He is 20-13-3 with a 2.81 GAA, .909 save percentage and two shutouts in 36 games.
Seamus Casey, D (New Jersey Devils)
The 20-year-old was an All-Big 10 First-Team selection. He has 45 points (seven goals, 38 assists) in 39 games.
Gavin Brindley, F (Columbus Blue Jackets)
The 19-year-old was named Big 10 Player of the Year. He has 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) in 39 games.
Divya