The conference that still has the top dogs

Recently, there’s been a constant in collegiate hockey: the Big Ten. After the third straight year where the conference put four teams in the NCAA Tournament, that constant isn’t going anywhere. Three of those teams — Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota — reached a Regional Final, and the Wolverines were the sole team to make the Frozen Four.

Though just five of the seven teams in the conference made the USCHO Top 20 rankings, the teams that did are full of firepower with the capability to make some noise.

Despite the consistency, there are still plenty of moving parts within each team for The Michigan Daily to break down the state of the conference for the 2024-25 season.

The Best of the Best: No. 4 Michigan State 

It should be no surprise that the Spartans are expected to lead the Big Ten. There’s a reason the defending regular season and Big Ten Tournament Champions topped the conference last year, and Michigan State should do so again.

Why? Because most of the talent that propelled the Spartans last season is back for another year in East Lansing. Alongside second-year coach Adam Nightingale, Preseason All-Big Ten forwards Isaac Howard and Karsen Dowart are elite playmakers that returned, with the ability to light up the horn themselves or connect with their teammates in front of the net. 

Perhaps most importantly for the Spartans, though, was retaining the undisputed best goaltender in the Big Ten, Trey Augustine. A unanimous Preseason All-Big Ten First Team selection, Augustine was a star off the bat, and figures to improve on his strong freshman campaign.

The kings of the Big Ten last season are back, and Michigan State is determined to show that last season was no fluke.

Sorting Through a Retool: No. 5 Minnesota

Despite expectations set for a national championship last season, Minnesota floundered when it mattered most. Losing to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals and to Boston University in the NCAA Regional finals, it was a disappointing postseason for one of the most accomplished programs in collegiate hockey history. And to rebound heading into this season, it’ll be an uphill battle.

Losing three of their top five point leaders from last season, the Golden Gophers are without much of their previous star power. 

Regardless, Minnesota is still an incredibly talented team. With stars like forward Jimmy Snuggerud and defenseman Sam Rinzel returning, three draft picks in the 2024 NHL Draft and transfers such as forward Matthew Wood and goaltender Liam Souliere, the Gophers certainly don’t lack skill. After all, there’s a reason Minnesota enters this season as the No. 5 team in the country, and it’s out to prove it.

Big Fish in a Bigger Pond: No. 10 Wisconsin 

In any other sport, starting the season as the No. 10 team in the country is an omen for a successful year ahead. It means that the team is a contender, with a well-built roster teeming with talent. But while all of that rings true for Wisconsin, it’s only enough to land mid-table in the Big Ten.

Regardless of the teams ahead of them, though, the Badgers have plenty of talent to be excited for — especially with their additions in the transfer portal. Chief among them is goaltender Tommy Scarfone, who’s been lights out his entire career at RIT. As last season’s Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Year, it takes a lot to get the puck into the back of the net when Scarfone plays, and he’ll be a force this season. Scarfone’s teammate with the Tigers, forward Cody Laskosky, also made the move to Wisconsin, bringing a much needed 41 points with him — a mark that would’ve led the Badgers last season.

After outperforming last season’s expectations, it’s an exciting time to be a Wisconsin hockey fan. However, an important question still remains: Will the Badgers continue to build upon last year’s success, or will they once again fall prey to the big dogs at the top of the conference?

The Unknown: No 20 Notre Dame

Last season, Notre Dame struggled mightily. After a solid start to the season, the Fighting Irish just couldn’t put it together, stringing together a tough conference play stretch that included four losing streaks of three games or more. Now, without its former star goaltender Ryan Bischel, there are many questions that Notre Dame has to answer.

Most importantly, who will fill Bischel’s spot between the pipes? The only one of four netminders on the roster with extensive experience is Owen Say, who transferred to South Bend after two up and down seasons at Mercyhurst. Big Ten hockey is a whole other beast than the opponents he’s used to facing though, so much of Notre Dame’s success could depend on if Say’s game will translate. Meanwhile, losing stars like Landon Slaggert and Patrick Moynihan will hurt, so the Irish will have to find production elsewhere.

But all of that is yet to be seen, and the Irish will have to wait and see if it can perform to the conference standard.

Maybe Next Year: Penn State

Without consistent goaltender play, last season was a massive struggle for Penn State. The Nittany Lions let up goals quickly and often, and there wasn’t enough offensive spark to keep them in games. While it seems the answer in net has been found in transfer goaltender Arsenii Sergeev, there’s still a lot to be desired in the offensive zone.

Though it’s a start with forwards Aiden Fink and Danny Dzhaniyev, it’ll take more than just two to tango — it’ll take all four lines. That being said, there’s reason for optimism in Happy Valley, as a strong recruiting class, including numerous forwards, will join the framework that’s already in place.

Despite all of that, Penn State doesn’t have the talent nor experience to match up with the top of the Big Ten. It seems that they’re a year or two away from contention in the conference.

Finding its Identity: Ohio State

A 14-20-4 record last season was less than ideal for Ohio State. After losing over half its roster following the 2022-23 season, it was a struggle in Columbus as the Buckeyes tried to mesh together a roster composed of mostly new faces. That experiment was largely unsuccessful, as Ohio State failed to get into a rhythm offensively.

And after scoring just 100 regular season goals, almost 45% of that production is gone. With over half of the team being underclassmen, it’ll be an uphill climb to find someone ready to break out as a star. These underclassmen will lean on the example set by the Buckeyes’ top returners, forward Davis Burnside and defenseman Theo Wallberg.

But until Ohio State finds its star, it’ll likely be a struggle in the star-studded Big Ten.

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Overall, it’s simply another year for the Big Ten, one filled with contenders shooting for the Frozen Four and stars aiming to make the NHL. And like years past, it’ll be a battle at the top of the conference as numerous teams vie for glory.

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