The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

I'm confused , what happened to the 2014-15 teams?

Sean

I apparently didn't post them on here, but I don't believe any team cracked the top 50. I seem to recall that North Dakota was somewhere around 75 and BU somewhere around 100. PC was right around average (~300).

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

I'm confused , what happened to the 2014-15 teams?

Sean

So, here are where the 2014-2015 teams stack up:

#70 - University of North Dakota: 155.409 Points
#102 - Boston University: 142.136 Points
#147 - Minnesota State: 124.023 Points
#207 - University of Denver: 102.706 Points
#250 - Miami University: 93.73 Points
#266 - University of Minnesota - Duluth: 89.128 Points
#313 - Providence College: 79.138 Points
#343 - University of Nebraska - Omaha: 73.16 Points
#353 - Michigan Technological University: 70.279 Points
#394 - St. Cloud State University: 64.034 Points
#406 - University of Minnesota: 61.863 Points
#452 - Harvard University: 54.896 Points
#460 - Yale University: 53.332 Points
#487 - Boston College: 48.664 Points
#494 - Quinnipiac University: 48.013 Points
#584 - Rochester Institute of Technology: 25.614 Points

Only 1 top 100 team, and no team in the top 50...in other words, a relatively down year last season.

I have the data entered for the 2015-2016 season, but I'm going through my re-checking procedures to make sure it is correct. I should have the 2015-2016 rankings posted here this weekend...depending on how much snow we actually get.

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

So, here are where the 2014-2015 teams stack up:

#70 - University of North Dakota: 155.409 Points
#102 - Boston University: 142.136 Points
#147 - Minnesota State: 124.023 Points
#207 - University of Denver: 102.706 Points
#250 - Miami University: 93.73 Points
#266 - University of Minnesota - Duluth: 89.128 Points
#313 - Providence College: 79.138 Points
#343 - University of Nebraska - Omaha: 73.16 Points
#353 - Michigan Technological University: 70.279 Points
#394 - St. Cloud State University: 64.034 Points
#406 - University of Minnesota: 61.863 Points
#452 - Harvard University: 54.896 Points
#460 - Yale University: 53.332 Points
#487 - Boston College: 48.664 Points
#494 - Quinnipiac University: 48.013 Points
#584 - Rochester Institute of Technology: 25.614 Points

Only 1 top 100 team, and no team in the top 50...in other words, a relatively down year last season.

I have the data entered for the 2015-2016 season, but I'm going through my re-checking procedures to make sure it is correct. I should have the 2015-2016 rankings posted here this weekend...depending on how much snow we actually get.

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it.

Sean

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Here are where the 2015-2016 Frozen Four teams ranked:

#14 - North Dakota - 206.293 Points
North Dakota put together a dominating 34-6-4 record, winning the Penrose Cup as NCHC Champions, en route to claiming the program's 8th National Championship. The 2015-2016 North Dakota squad finished just behind the 2004-2005 Denver team that won the national title, and Ken Dryden's 1967-1968 Cornell squad.

#41 - Quinnipiac - 176.737 Points
The Bobcats only lost four times all season, and took home the ECAC Regular and Tournament Championships. Had QU won the national title, they would likely have cracked the top 10 all time. Instead that land just behind the 1994-1995 Maine Blackbears and just ahead of the 1984-1985 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

#93 - Boston College - 144.979 Points
The Eagles won the Hockey East regular season title, and advanced to yet another Frozen Four under Jerry York. BC had only eight losses, but fell just short against Quinnipiac in the semifinals. BC lands just behind the 1974-1975 Michigan Tech squad, and just ahead of the 1989-1990 Michigan State team.

#234 - Denver - 96.681 Points
The Pioneers struggled early in the season, but were nearly unbeatable in 2016. DU rallied to tie North Dakota in the national semi before succumbing in the final minute of regulation. DU finishes just behind the 1959-1960 Michigan Tech Huskies, and just in front of the 2003-2004 Pioneer squad that won the National Title.

And the rest of the 2015-2016 NCAA Tournament teams:

#103 - St. Cloud State - 141.668 Points
#151 - Providence - 122.536 Points
#249 - Massachusetts Lowell - 93.747 Points
#269 - Michigan - 88.17 Points
#369 - Boston University - 67.782 Points
#436 - Northeastern - 57.331 Points
#481 - Notre Dame - 49.469 Points
#490 - Yale - 48.399 Points
#498 - Minnesota Duluth - 47.069 Points
#534 - Harvard - 39.624 Points
#600 - Ferris State - 12.25 Points
#605 - RIT - 8.418 Points

Overall, a top-25 team, a top-50 team, a top-100 team, and two other 120+ Point teams...in other words a very strong season in college hockey, topped by one of the top teams in the NCAA Tournament era.

 

[Snively65]

Here are where the 2015-2016 Frozen Four teams ranked:

#14 - North Dakota - 206.293 Points
North Dakota put together a dominating 34-6-4 record, winning the Penrose Cup as NCHC Champions, en route to claiming the program's 8th National Championship. The 2015-2016 North Dakota squad finished just behind the 2004-2005 Denver team that won the national title, and Ken Dryden's 1967-1968 Cornell squad.

#41 - Quinnipiac - 176.737 Points
The Bobcats only lost four times all season, and took home the ECAC Regular and Tournament Championships. Had QU won the national title, they would likely have cracked the top 10 all time. Instead that land just behind the 1994-1995 Maine Blackbears and just ahead of the 1984-1985 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

#93 - Boston College - 144.979 Points
The Eagles won the Hockey East regular season title, and advanced to yet another Frozen Four under Jerry York. BC had only eight losses, but fell just short against Quinnipiac in the semifinals. BC lands just behind the 1974-1975 Michigan Tech squad, and just ahead of the 1989-1990 Michigan State team.

#234 - Denver - 96.681 Points
The Pioneers struggled early in the season, but were nearly unbeatable in 2016. DU rallied to tie North Dakota in the national semi before succumbing in the final minute of regulation. DU finishes just behind the 1959-1960 Michigan Tech Huskies, and just in front of the 2003-2004 Pioneer squad that won the National Title.

And the rest of the 2015-2016 NCAA Tournament teams:

#103 - St. Cloud State - 141.668 Points
#151 - Providence - 122.536 Points
#249 - Massachusetts Lowell - 93.747 Points
#269 - Michigan - 88.17 Points
#369 - Boston University - 67.782 Points
#436 - Northeastern - 57.331 Points
#481 - Notre Dame - 49.469 Points
#490 - Yale - 48.399 Points
#498 - Minnesota Duluth - 47.069 Points
#534 - Harvard - 39.624 Points
#600 - Ferris State - 12.25 Points
#605 - RIT - 8.418 Points

Overall, a top-25 team, a top-50 team, a top-100 team, and two other 120+ Point teams...in other words a very strong season in college hockey, topped by one of the top teams in the NCAA Tournament era.

Very cool summary; thanks! I think it most interesting that this year's DU team came in just ahead of DU's 2003-2004 NC team.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

I'll post the top teams again after the season is over, but I was going through the data thus far this season and noticed that Minnesota Duluth has 15 wins over NCAA Tournament teams. That ties the 2016-2017 Duluth squad with the 2014-2015 Duluth squad that went 15-13-2 against NCAA Tournament competition, for the most ever wins against NCAA Tournament teams in one season. I forgot how crazy that 2014-2015 season was for UMD...to play 30 games against NCAA Tournament teams...not sure if we will ever see that again.

Of course, this season's Duluth squad has the chance to get to 17 NCAA Tournament wins (and a National Title), which would likely result in a top 20 season of all-time, with an outside shot at cracking the top 10.

 

[Leonidas]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Is there a link to the complete list? Thanks.

 

[oldchfan]

I'll post the top teams again after the season is over, but I was going through the data thus far this season and noticed that Minnesota Duluth has 15 wins over NCAA Tournament teams. That ties the 2016-2017 Duluth squad with the 2014-2015 Duluth squad that went 15-13-2 against NCAA Tournament competition, for the most ever wins against NCAA Tournament teams in one season. I forgot how crazy that 2014-2015 season was for UMD...to play 30 games against NCAA Tournament teams...not sure if we will ever see that again.


Of course, this season's Duluth squad has the chance to get to 17 NCAA Tournament wins (and a National Title), which would likely result in a top 20 season of all-time, with an outside shot at cracking the top 10.

Interesting! Thanks for putting the info together.. Talk about Stength of Schedule!!! The B1G teams like Penn State should try it sometime

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Is there a link to the complete list? Thanks.

There is not. I've ranked every team to make the NCAA Tournament, along with another 20 or so teams that had good seasons but didn't make the NCAA Tournament for various reasons (e.g. 1955-1956 Clarkson squad that went 23-0-0). In total, I will have ranked 628 teams after this season. It would take me quite a bit of time to put together the full list, and I simply don't have that time to do so. If there is a specific team you are curious about let me know, and I can give you where they rank and the teams above and below them in the rankings.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Interesting! Thanks for putting the info together.. Talk about Stength of Schedule!!! The B1G teams like Penn State should try it sometime��

They made a regional final and were 9th in the PWR with a SOS just behind that of Harvard. I'm sure as the program (what 4 years in now?) progresses they'll look to up the NC schedule a bit. Remember many games are booked 3-4 years in advance and I am sure they weren't trying to go after BC or Denver right out of the gate.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

They made a regional final and were 9th in the PWR with a SOS just behind that of Harvard. I'm sure as the program (what 4 years in now?) progresses they'll look to up the NC schedule a bit. Remember many games are booked 3-4 years in advance and I am sure they weren't trying to go after BC or Denver right out of the gate.

Could also be very true that even if Pedo State were trying to go after BC or Denver, they were met with radio silence because they were perceived as a Pairwise killer (i.e. no upside if you win, and drastic downside with a loss). Those are games that you do not want to schedule on the road, and PSU may have been holding out for a 1-for-1 home and away contract.

Also, given that the vast majority of games are played in-conference, SOS is largely tied to how strong of a conference a team plays in. The B1G has been down of late, but college hockey is cyclical and the B1G will be a power sooner or later.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

The B1G was far more competitive this past year and should be even more improved next season.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

The B1G was far more competitive this past year and should be even more improved next season.

Agreed. While the B1G was probably the fourth best conference this season, they were vastly improved from the past few seasons. With the addition of Notre Dame, the B1G should be a better conference next season.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

4th on average PWR?

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

4th on average PWR?

Not sure if they were 4th on average PWR. I subjectively placed them 4th. They had no top end teams and bombed in the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA Tournament Record:
NCHC: 4-2
Hockey East: 4-3
ECAC: 2-2
Atlantic Hockey: 1-1
B1G: 1-3
WCHA: 0-1

You may be able to make an argument that they were better than the ECAC, but I think Harvard pushes the ECAC above the B1G.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Not sure if they were 4th on average PWR.

That's where you should start.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

That's where you should start.

Start with a flawed system? I'll pass. Plus, it does not factor in NCAA Tournament performance.

Under KRACH, the numbers are very close between #2-4. The average teams are as follows:

NCHC: 321.8125
Hockey East: 181.3917
B1G: 178.1167
ECAC: 163.9167

Given how tight the numbers are between #2-4, I believe it's fair to use NCAA Tournament results to sort of "break the tie." But, if you really want to argue that the B1G is the third best conference despite no top end teams and an abysmal NCAA Tournament performance, KRACH would support an argument that the average B1G team is slightly better than the average ECAC team.

On a slightly unrelated note, it is really impressive to see that the average NCHC team is essentially a top 6-7 team in the country. I think Harvard will challenge Duluth, and if they get that far, Denver, but hard to argue with the strength of the NCHC this season. Of course, now that I say that, Notre Dame will waltz to the national title.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Tacking on results from a one and done means far less to me when analyzing the growth of a brand new conference that includes a brand new program. No I'm not here to argue, "Yeah, we're #3!" that's not the point is it? Fact is the conference is gaining strength heading into year 5 and that's most important to me as a fan of the conference. If people find it necessary to belittle it now hey whatever floats their boat.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

Tacking on results from a one and done means far less to me when analyzing the growth of a brand new conference that includes a brand new program. No I'm not here to argue, "Yeah, we're #3!" that's not the point is it? Fact is the conference is gaining strength heading into year 5 and that's most important to me as a fan of the conference. If people find it necessary to belittle it now hey whatever floats their boat.

To be fair, I fully agreed with you that the B1G is improving, and, with the addition of Notre Dame, should be a better conference next season. With the history/size/budget/prestige/investment of the B1G programs, I don't think anyone felt the conference would struggle long term. I think most people are surprised that the B1G has struggled to the extent it has in its first four years.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Top 25 College Hockey Teams of the NCAA Era

With its win yesterday, Duluth set an NCAA record with its 16th win over an NCAA Tournament team this season.

Given how strong both Duluth and Denver have been this year, whoever wins on Saturday will likely flirt with cracking the Top 10. Heck, even the loser will likely finish around the Top 25. To put that in perspective...only 1 season in the NCAA Tournament Era features 2 teams in the Top 25: 1955-1956 (Clarkson (#17) and Michigan (#23)). Whoever wins on Saturday will definitely have earned it.