The NCAA Men’s Frozen Four will have a distinct American presence again with 89 of the 109 players on the rosters of Boston College, Quinnipiac University, University of Denver and University of North Dakota having developed their game within the United States.
Sixty-four players competing in the tournament have roots in the United States Hockey League, including 17 alumni of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. The USHL is the only Tier I junior league in the United States and includes the two teams that make up USA Hockey’s NTDP.
The NCAA Men’s Frozen Four begins today (April 7) at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida, with Boston College taking on Quinnipiac followed by Denver facing North Dakota. Thursday’s semifinals will air live on ESPN2, while Saturday’s title game will be televised live on ESPN.
Among the Frozen Four participants, 16 have skated for a U.S. National Team – including the U.S. National Junior Team and the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Team – and have combined to win 16medals in International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship play.
There are 21 players with connections to USA Hockey’s Tier II North American Hockey League. Additionally, 18 players have a background in USA Hockey’s Tier III leagues, including the Eastern Junior Hockey League and United States Premier Hockey League.
Collectively, 19 states will be represented by players in the Frozen Four, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Thirty-one players competing in the Frozen Four have been drafted by National Hockey League teams, including 28 Americans.
