We may still be months away from puck drop on the 2025–26 college hockey season, but it's never too early to look ahead.

As part of a new initiative, PuckPreps assembled a panel of media members to vote on the Top 10 NCAA men’s hockey programs heading into the summer.

Using a standard AP-style scoring system—10 points for a first-place vote down to one point for tenth—we’ve compiled a snapshot of where the nation’s top programs stand in the eyes of the media.

Here’s a look at my Way-Too-Early Top 10 college hockey teams, along with a quick breakdown of each.

#1 Western Michigan
Western Michigan holds firm at No. 1 in my rankings heading into the summer, and rightfully so. Fresh off capturing the program’s first-ever National Championship, the Broncos have earned their spot at the top, and until someone knocks them off, that’s where they’ll stay.

Looking ahead to next season, Western Michigan will have some big shoes to fill with the departures of captain Tim Washe and leading scorer Alex Bump. Tournament hero Owen Michaels is expected back, and between the pipes, they return Hampton Slukynsky, who is arguably the best goaltender in all of college hockey.

Western wasn’t quiet in the transfer portal, either. The Broncos reloaded with high-impact additions like William Whitelaw, Zaccharya Wisdom, and Theo Wallberg, players who can make an immediate difference both offensively and in the locker room.

# 2 Michigan State
Despite an early exit from last year’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan State once again looks strong on paper heading into the summer.

Leading the charge is Hober Baker Award-winner Isaac Howard, who returns alongside standout goaltender Trey Augustine. The Spartans also made waves in the transfer portal, landing Colin Ralph, a 2024 second-round NHL pick and a big presence on the blue line.

Add in a highly touted freshman class, headlined by USHL Rookie of the Year Ryker Lee, Anthony Romani, and Max Heise, among others, and Michigan State looks like a legitimate Frozen Four team.

#3 Penn State
After making history with the program’s first-ever Frozen Four appearance last season, Penn State is bringing back a roster built to contend again in 2025-26.

The Nittany Lions return a strong core, led by dynamic scorers Aiden Fink and Charlie Cerrato. While Penn State will miss key departures like veteran defenseman Simon Mack and standout goaltender Arsenii Sergeev, who both landed pro deals, Penn State didn’t sit idle in the offseason.

The Nittany Lions struck gold in the transfer portal, landing two major additions, towering defenseman Mac Gadowsky and netminder Kevin Reidler. Combine those pieces with a promising incoming class that includes forward Luke Misa, and Penn State could make playing in the Frozen Four kind of a regular thing.

#4 Denver
Denver looked like it might just win back-to-back National Championships and for the third time in the last four seasons. However, the Pios season ended abruptly in the Frozen Four semifinals.

The program now bids farewell to several cornerstone players in Zeev Buium, Aidan Thompson, Jack Devine, and Matt Davis. However, head coach David Carle returns to the bench after exploring opportunities in the NHL.

With those key departures, expect Denver’s younger talent to step into larger roles, including defenseman Eric Pohlkamp and forward Jake Fisher. The Pioneers will also benefit from a strong incoming class, highlighted by notable players like Kristian Epperson, Clarke Caswell, and Brendan McMorrow.

#5 UConn
UConn surged into the NCAA Regionals on a red-hot streak, only to see their season come to a dramatic close in overtime against Penn State. Still, the Huskies return with a largely intact roster, a group that is hungry to take the next step.

Top scorers Joey Muldowney and Jake Richard are expected to return, along with goaltender Tyler Muszelik. Meanwhile, promising sophomores like Ethan Gardula and Kaden Shahan will look to elevate their games in year two.

#6 Maine
After a thrilling run that saw them capture their first Hockey East Tournament title since 2004, the Black Bears’ season came to a bittersweet end with a loss to Penn State in the Allentown Regional Semifinal.

As Maine turns the page, they’ll need to replace the firepower of departed top scorers Harrison Scott and Taylor Makar, who both landed pro deals. Maine added a familiar name in the transfer portal, Max Scott, younger brother of Harrison, who arrives after a strong 26-point season with Brown.

Goaltender Albin Boija is expected to return for the 2025–26 campaign as well, providing a steady and reliable presence between the pipes as the Black Bears reload for another run.

#7 Ohio State
Ohio State came heartbreakingly close to a Big Ten Tournament title, falling in double overtime of the championship game before their season ended in the NCAA Tournament at the hands of Boston University.

The Buckeyes will move forward without key departures Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Aiden Hansen-Bukata, and standout goaltender Logan Terness—all of whom signed pro contracts.

Star forward Riley Thompson is expected back after a breakout 33-point campaign, as is Max Montes. The Buckeyes made a splash in the transfer portal, landing forward Adam Eisele after spending the last three seasons with Minnesota State.

#8 Boston College
Boston College’s season stopped short in the Manchester Regional Final with a tough loss to Denver. The offseason brought big changes, as stars Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault, and Jacob Fowler all signed entry-level NHL deals.

James Hagens, projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, is likely to return, barring anything unforeseen. BC also added a major weapon in the transfer portal, landing Ryan Conmy, who brings back-to-back 30-point seasons from New Hampshire.

#9 North Dakota
After missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, North Dakota made a significant change behind the bench, moving on from head coach Brad Berry and elevating associate head coach Dane Jackson.

The offseason saw key players Sacha Boisvert, Owen McLaughlin, and Jayden Perron depart via the transfer portal. However, returning standouts Jake Livanavage, Abram Wiebe, and Dylan James bring experience and stability to the lineup.

The Fighting Hawks were aggressive in retooling, adding Anthony Menghini from Minnesota-Duluth and Isaac Gordon from Michigan Tech. North Dakota will also welcome in Will Zellers, who scored 44 goals and was named USHL Player and Forward of the Year, and top 2025 NHL Draft prospects Keaton Verhoeff and Cole Reschny.

#10 Minnesota State
Minnesota State’s return to the national stage ended in dramatic fashion, falling in double overtime to eventual national champion-Western Michigan in the NCAA Regionals.

The offseason brought some turnover, with top scorers Rhett Pitlick, Josh Groll, and Adam Eisele departing for the pros and the portal. But the Mavericks added key pieces in Alex Zetterberg, Tristan Lemyre, and Sawyer Scholl through the transfer portal.

Anchoring it all is star goaltender Alex Tracy, who returns to solidify the crease and keep Minnesota State firmly in the driver’s seat as the team to beat once again in the CCHA.

Just Missed:

Boston University
Boston University may start the summer just outside the Top 10 in my rankings, but I could easily see the Terriers grow into a team that makes yet another run to the Frozen Four. While BU saw key pieces like Shane Lachance, Ryan Greene, Quinn Hutson, Devin Kaplan, and Tom Willander all sign pro deals, there’s still plenty to be excited about.

BU is expected to return star players Cole Eiserman, Mikhail Yegorov, and Sascha Boumedienne. On top of that, they’ve added a major weapon from the transfer portal in Sacha Boisvert, who was named NCHC Rookie of the Year for the 2024-25 campaign. The arrow is pointing up for the Terriers.

In Consideration:
UMass, Minnesota, Arizona State, Michigan, Providence, Quinnipiac