More than a decade past the radical revamp of college hockey conferences, the haters of the changes are quick to point out that the most recent national men’s hockey championship won by a Big Ten team was way back in 2007, when Michigan State (then members of the old CCHA) upset Boston College in St. Louis.

With the NCAA Frozen Four back within walking distance of the Gateway Arch come April 2025, and the Big Ten laden with talent, the optimists think this might be the year they bring the game’s top trophy back to East Lansing, or Minneapolis or some other home rink in this seven-team conglomerate. As conference play begins in earnest this weekend, here is a top-to-bottom look at B1G hockey, in the order they were picked in the annual preseason coaches poll:

Michigan State

Last season: First in Big Ten, 25-10-3 overall, 16-6-2 in Big Ten

In many ways 2024 was a dream season for the Spartans, who had been Big Ten doormats for a decade prior to coach Adam Nightingale’s arrival in 2022, which breathed new life into the MSU program. They won the conference’s regular season and tournament titles last March, only to have their season end in the worst way a Spartans fan could envision: an NCAA regional loss to arch-rival Michigan. With tons of offensive talent and the league’s top goalie returning in Red Wings top prospect Trey Augustine, nothing less than a return to St. Louis for two wins in April will do for the hungry hockey fans in East Lansing.

Minnesota

Last season: Third in Big Ten, 23-11-5 overall, 13-7-4 in Big Ten

There is no banner hanging inside 3M Arena at Mariucci from last season, which has been rare in Bob Motzko’s run as coach of the Gophers. After three straight years with a Big Ten title, Minnesota bowed out a game shy of the Frozen Four last March. But the coach has touted his defensive corps as the deepest he has rostered, and in October the Minnesota offense has scored goals at a notable clip, with a mix of familiar faces and newcomers like Matthew Wood, a Predators first-round draft pick who came over from Connecticut in the transfer portal. After falling just shy of the NCAA title in 2023, many believe this is the team to get Motzko his first ring.

Michigan

Last season: Fourth in Big Ten, 23-15-3 overall, 11-11-2 in Big Ten

The opening-day rosters in the NHL featured a whopping 26 former Wolverines, which is good for fans of the maize and blue. The bad news is Rutger McGroarty was included on that list, after signing with Pittsburgh in late August when he was expected back in Ann Arbor leading the Michigan offense. Never lacking in talent, the Wolverines instead have gotten a hot start from rookie Michael Hage, a Canadiens first-rounder who has seven points in his first six games. If the goaltending, currently being split between rookie Cameron Korpi and Ferris State transfer Logan Stein, can keep Michigan in games, a fourth straight Frozen Four trip is in play.

Wisconsin

Last season: Second in Big Ten, 26-12-2 overall, 16-7-1 in Big Ten

As opening acts go, Mike Hastings’ coaching debut was close to flawless last season. Coming to Wisconsin after a decade of success at Minnesota State Mankato, Hastings burst the Badgers back into the college hockey consciousness. They were atop the national polls within his first two months on the job and finished one win shy of the Big Ten title. But year two has been a struggle so far, with Wisconsin off to a 1-5-0 start, which includes getting swept in Madison by Ohio State in the conference opener for both teams. Hastings’ style has always been defense-first, so maybe these are just growing pains as he implements his system in Madison.

Notre Dame

Last season: Fifth in Big Ten, 15-19-2 overall, 9-13-2 in Big Ten

A storybook ending would have Irish coach Jeff Jackson hanging up the whistle in April after another run to the Frozen Four and a third NCAA title on his resume. If that is to happen, it will take some masterful coaching by Jackson, who announced over the summer that this season would be his last. Known for a defensive style, the Irish have a true offensive star in Cole Knuble, who has 10 points in his first six games this season after a slower-than-expected rookie campaign a year ago. The bigger challenge is in goal, where Mercyhurst transfer Owen Say and freshman Nicholas Kempf are vying to replace star puck-stopper Ryan Bischel.

Penn State

Last season: Sixth in Big Ten, 15-18-3 overall, 7-14-3 in Big Ten

The Nittany Lions come to Minnesota for the conference opener this weekend having already spanned the continent in October, sweeping a series at Alaska, suffering their only loss at Quinnipiac in Connecticut, and winning a pair versus St. Lawrence in Hockey Valley last weekend. It’s no surprise to see Big Ten all-rookie team member Aiden Fink and pint-sized power Danny Dzhaniyev leading the charge for the offense-first Lions. Perhaps less expected was the hot start in goal for Arsenii Sergeev, who came to Penn State via the transfer portal after posting good-not-great numbers the past two seasons at Connecticut.

Ohio State

Last season: Seventh in Big Ten, 14-20-4 overall, 4-18-2 in Big Ten

Last season can accurately be described as a failure to launch for the Buckeyes, who never recovered after winning just two of their first 10 conference games. But a playoff upset at Wisconsin provided some optimism going into the summer, and Ohio State went 5-0-1 in October, which included sweeping the Badgers in Madison. Buckeyes coach Steve Rohlik has two defenseman who came to Columbus via the transfer portal leading his offense so far, and he has a Big Ten rarity in goal — experience. The tandem of Logan Terness and Kristoffer Eberly has split the crease so far and will be the key if the Buckeyes are to defy expectations.