The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

[Slap Shot]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

You are correct, these rankings are based upon total points earned. I have a separate ranking that I keep that is based upon points earned/game played (which is probably slightly more accurate than season played, given that games played/season vary widely throughout college hockey's history). The rankings shuffle quite a bit for some teams. For example, Penn State (#51 here) is ranked #36, and Quinnipiac makes a similar jump. That being said, there isn't all that much change (read: moving up or down 1-2 spots if at all) for most of the Top 15-20 teams. When this list is over, remind me, and I will post the rankings based on points/game.

That's kind of what I figured would happen when the question came to mind - that some toward the bottom might make a leap while those at the top would see less movement.

[beaverhockeyfan]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

Essentially, yes. However, this is probably a good place to restate that I only include D1 results in the rankings. So, for programs like UAH with a D2 history littered with hardware, they get shortchanged a bit in these rankings.

Two D2 titles equals littered with hardware???

LOL! Had to get an off-season jab in there.

[gfmorris]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

Two D2 titles equals littered with hardware???

LOL! Had to get an off-season jab in there.

2-2 all-time against your sick Beavers.

GFM

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#45 – Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
Points: 6.5378 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: 0.0403 (Rank: 35)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 1.1402 (Rank: 44)
Last Season Ranking: #45

The Seawolves regressed in Matt Thomas’ fourth season as head coach, winning just seven games. They did however improve after a dreadful 1-11-2 start. From the start of December to the end of the season, UAA went 6-10-4 including wins over BSU, FSU, and Minnesota State. While they didn’t get any wins over an NCAA tournament team, they did manage three ties (according to the NCAA) against WCHA representative, Michigan Tech. Anchorage lost their leading goal scorer, sophomore Mason Mitchell, after he signed with the Washington Capitals. Mitchell tallied 12 goals while second best on the team was a mere five. Next year could be another struggle for UAA to qualify for the WCHA playoffs. – Shirtless Guy

[beaverhockeyfan]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

2-2 all-time against your sick Beavers.

GFM

Yeah, but UAH couldn't win one away from the VBC. At least the Beavers were able to win one in Huntsville (and Mercyhurst for that matter).

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#44 – Niagara Purple Eagles
Points: 7.3249 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: -0.1398 (Rank: 54)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 0.6094 (Rank: 48)
Last Season Ranking: #42

After three single-digit win seasons in a row (5-31-3 this past season, along with 6-25-6 and 7-28-4 the previous two seasons), Niagara sacked their head coach of 16 years, Dave Burkholder. The Purple Eagles were 0-5-1 in their OOC games (60th in PWR), were last in the AHC regular season standings, gave up 165 goals (4.23 GAA), scored only 76 goals (1.95 GPG), yet somehow took two of three from RIT in the first round of the AHC playoffs, before getting swept by Canisius in the second round. The Purple Eagles are losing six seniors, including Jackson Teichroeb who logged the majority of minutes in net, so new head coach Jason Lammers will have his work cut out for himself to get the Purple Eagles back to double-digit win seasons. – Snively65

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#43 – Princeton Tigers
Points: 7.3523 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: 0.0330 (Rank: 37)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 1.9303 (Rank: 39)
Last Season Ranking: #43

The Tigers showed significant improvement in 2016-17, finishing one game below .500. The three years prior resulted in 5, 4, and 6 wins. Princeton swept Bemidji State on the road, swept Quinnipiac home and away, and defeated Penn State at home. They also won in the first round of the ECAC tournament over Colgate, scoring the tying goal with :01 left, winning in overtime, then winning the next night to advance. Princeton had a total of 7 seniors on the roster, none of whom scored in double digits. However, starting goaltender Colton Phinney was a senior; their other goaltender played in only 3 games last season. – drshoen

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#42 – Air Force Falcons
Points: 8.6899 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: 1.952 (Rank: 13)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 2.5943 (Rank: 34)
Last Season Ranking: #44

Air Force lost 3-2 in OT to Sacred Heart in their last regular season game, which cost the Falcons the regular season title. However, the Falcons improved their overall record this past season to 27-10-5 from 20-12-5 the previous season, won the AHC tourney with wins over Army and Robert Morris, and then beat Western Michigan 5-4 before losing to Harvard 3-2 in the NCAA East Regional, depriving Air Force of a trip to the Frozen Four. The Falcons were 4-4-2 in OOC games this past season, including a 2-1 win over Boston College to begin their season, besides their playoff win in the East Regional. With a 12th in the PWR, the Falcons represented the AHC well this past season. The Falcons have their top 10 scorers returning this coming season, but they lost their star sophomore goalie Shane Starrett (37 games and 2142 minutes played, 0.778 win %, 1.99 GAA, 0.925 SV%), the first Falcon to sign a pro contract while still at the Academy. If the Falcons can replace Starrett’s performance in net and earn more hardware, they should continue to climb in these rankings. – Snively65

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#41 – Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks
Points: 8.715 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: 0.4088 (Rank: 24)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 6.1102 (Rank: 20)
Last Season Ranking: #40

In Mike Hasting's fifth season as head coach, Minnesota State again won at least 20 games. Throughout the season, the Maverick's longest losing streak was only two games, which only happened once. Minnesota State was never swept, but were also not really able to put together much of a winning streak after winning their first five games. Despite all of that, it was probably a little bit disappointing for the Mavericks to finish third and not make the WCHA championship game or the NCAA tournament.

Minnesota State returns it's top six scorers from last year while managing to not suffer any early departures. Their biggest losses come on the defense and at goaltending where Sean Flanagan, Carter Foguth, and Cole Huggins graduate. Despite those loses, the Mavericks should be considered one of the favorites for the McNaughton Cup and Broadmoor Trophy with young stars like Marc Michaelis, CJ Franklin, and Brad McClure back for another season. – Shirtless Guy

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#40 – Western Michigan Broncos
Points: 8.8932 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: 0.8101 (Rank: 18)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 1.6006 (Rank: 41)
Last Season Ranking: #41

The Broncos had a great year with a 22-13-5 record, the biggest turnaround in wins from last season (and the most wins for the program since 1996) in the NCAA when they won eight games. They finished 3rd in the NCHC and earned a two seed in the NCAA Tournament but lost their opening game. Next season looks like it should be another strong season but the Broncos lost their top scorer to the pros. They could move up another spot or two in these rankings with another 20+ win season and a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. – Siouxfaninseattle

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#39 – Nebraska Omaha Mavericks
Points: 11.0343 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: 0.5711 (Rank: 21)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 7.2774 (Rank: 18)
Last Season Ranking: #39

The Mavericks had another disappointing season in ’16-’17 with a 17-17-5 record and ending their season in the NCHC playoffs. But the big news is the retirement of Dean Blais after eight years with the program. Mike Gabinet, a UNO alum, has been named the new head coach after serving as associate head coach for about a year. He will be challenged to improve on last year’s record with 20 games scheduled in ’17-’18 against teams that made the NCAA tournament this year, and the loss of the team’s top two players. UNO will still have an experienced team with 16 upper classmen returning. – Siouxfaninseattle

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#38 – RIT Tigers
Points: 11.2998 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: -0.5691 (Rank: 56)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 1.7361 (Rank: 40)
Last Season Ranking: #38

After winning the AHC playoffs two seasons in a row, RIT dropped below 0.500 this past year (14-22-1 vs 18-15-6). The Tigers were 0-5-1 in OOC games (51st in PWR), and then got booted out of the first round of the AHC playoffs, losing two of three games to Niagara. The Tigers are losing seven seniors, including goalie Mike Rotolo who logged nearly all the minutes in net this past season. However, the Tigers also have 10 of their top 12 scorers returning, so there is hope that they can return to their winning ways in the AHC. – Snively65

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

#37 – Bemidji State Beavers
Points: 14.8173 Points
Points Earned in 2016-2017: 2.0731 (Rank: 11)
Points Earned in Past Five Seasons: 2.476 (Rank: 35)
Last Season Ranking: #37

A haughty critic would look at the 2016-17 success for Bemidji State and say, “They were the best team in a weak league. They’re benefitting from the changes in the WCHA.” In response, Gang Green can point to the fact that the the Beavers’ breakthrough is unlike that of Michigan Tech, Minnesota State, or Bowling Green — their gains came after the change, going from winning percentages of .278, .355, .487, and .513 before last season’s .573.

Like most of their WCHA brethren, the Beavers struggled in out-of-conference play last season, going 2-10-1. These struggles kept the Beavers out of postseason play, as the WCHA was a one-bid league. The Beavers also faded down the stretch, sweeping just once in 2017 (at home against Michigan Tech that put the regular season title in little doubt), getting swept in the final North Star Cup, and splitting every other series before going to three games against Northern Michigan and being swept by BG.

It gets a little darker for the Beavers, as three of their top five (and four of nine) scorers graduated. The good news is that Michael Bitzer seems set to come back for his final season of eligibility, and his three rising senior classmates named Fitzgerald will also be there to shoulder the load. This team has been building, and next season could be special at the headwaters of the Mississippi. – gfmorris

[mookie1995]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

When did mookie miss northeastern?!?

[Slap Shot]

Re: The Greatest Programs of All-Time: #1 - #60

FS23 would you add 1 stat possibly without much trouble? Include # of seasons the program has been Div I.