Elite Prospects NCAA Power Rankings for late November
Thanksgiving is here, and many consider this the kind of in-or-out point of the season. While it's certainly possible to go on a big run in the second 60 percent or so of the season, or to collapse in spectacular fashion, what you've seen to date is (mostly) what you're still getting in February and March. With that in mind, you gotta say there's a lot of surprises up and down the NPI, the standings, and — most important by far — the Elite Prospects NCAA Power Rankings.
Our panel of the very finest experts in the field has weighed everything and come up with yet another unimpeachable ranking that you would be a fool to argue with. We see through it all!
Here's what we came up with for our latest ranking:
And here's how we voted individually:
Defending the picks
Well, this week marks the fifth consecutive power ranking where the No. 1 team in the country has changed, and Michigan returns to the top spot, this time unanimously. What are you most impressed with when you watch the Wolverines?
SH: Michigan hasn't ceased to impress me this season. From dynamic rush patterns and dominant power play shifts to a blueline chipping in in all three zones and stellar goaltending from Jack Ivankovic, the cohesion and chemistry up and down the lineup have been the best in the nation so far this season. Most of all, I'd have to say I'm impressed with the offensive driving from the big guns as Michael Hage and Will Horcoff have shown their first-round calibre skill and T.J. Hughes has broken out as a collegiate superstar.
SS: The depth and way they attack games. I think Michigan obviously cooked with the new CHL imports and recruiting, but this team has been really well built by Brandon Naurato.
CR: This team has a lot of swagger, and it shines brightly. It's not just the fact that they're leading the nation in total goals, but their 83 goals is 27 more than second-place Bemidji State. They're averaging over five per game. On top of that, not only will they beat you on the scoreboard, but despite adding so many new faces this year, they have come together very quickly. There's a pack mentality with this club. They're jamming up opponents, protecting each other, and having a good old time doing it. Swagger.
RL: For me, it's their speed. I just haven't seen too many opponents know how to handle it. They just make teams that you thought were supposed to be insanely good look completely overwhelmed. Three passes, back of the net. It's crazy.
Is there any team currently in your top 20 that you wouldn't have predicted to be there, at this point in the season, coming into the year?
CR: Probably Holy Cross which seems a little like cheating since they’re in the 20-hole. But this team is getting contributions from every portion of their lineup. Scoring by committee. Racking up wins and above-average save percentages from two netminders. Scoring at a good clip and defending at a good clip. And most importantly, winning games.
SS: I don't think I would have had Dartmouth this high, but their being in the top 20 isn't stunning.
SH: I'd have to go with Dartmouth. Even just a few weeks ago I still had my fair share of skepticism on the sustainability of their performances, but recent victories against Cornell and Clarkson are turning me into a believer.
RL: Honestly, it's Wisconsin. Not that they don't have talent, and not that Mike Hastings hasn't proven he's one of the best coaches in the biz, but they only won 13 games last season and just seemed lost a lot of the time. They showed flashes of putting it together, but never for sustained stretches. I know it's only 14 games, not even half the season, but they look great, and they've looked great against really good and even elite opponents. I guess you could've talked me into "they'll be top-20," if you worked at it, but top-5? Wow.
We haven't talked much about the Richter award yet. Apart from current favorite Lawton Zacher of Northeastern, who do you have your eye on to stay in the running for the rest of the season?
SS: I'm really looking forward to watch Trey Augustine and Jack Ivankovic go head-to-head in person next week. Both of them have been high on my list.
RL: Seems fair to say Tyler Muszelik at UConn took a big ol' step this summer. He was very solid last year and split time with Callum Tung (who turned pro over the summer). But this season we're talking a 7-3-3 start with a .926 save percentage and double-digit goals saved above expected, despite being asked to stop 30-plus shots in eight of his 13 appearances. Sebastian is about to shout out Alexis Cournoyer and Quentin Miller, too, and those are both awesome picks that I've gotten to see live so far this year. Fantastic freshmen.
SH: Trey Augustine is, as per usual, a contender for the Richter, but I'd have to go with a pair of Montréal Canadiens netminding prospects who have shone for some of the top programs in the country. Cournoyer has been integral in Cornell's rise in our power rankings, with a 6-1 record and a .953 save percentage, powered by strong puck tracking and athleticism. Miller would be my top contender, however, as the Denver goaltender barely trails Zacher's save percentage with a .941 through 12 games, two more than his competitor. If he can stay healthy, Miller could end up as the most valuable netminder for his team across all top programs. not bad for a freshman who only got into ten BCHL games last season.
Right now, the top four teams in the NCHC standings by points percentage are Denver, North Dakota, Western Michigan, and Minnesota-Duluth. Will that foursome hold, and if not, who's coming in instead? And how many make the NCAA tournament?
RL: I can maybe see Colorado College making a push if Duluth slows down a little, but there's an outside chance of that. Most likely outcome is these are the four home-ice teams in the conference tournament. That said, Put me down for three of the four making the tournament and Duluth being the odd team out, probably because of autobids more than them dropping out of the top 15 of their own accord.
SH: I expect it to hold. Miami's hot start has cooled off and no program in the division can compete with the star power those four offer. North Dakota are kicking into second gear, Denver is looking better with every passing week, Western Michigan has caught its footing and looks like the Frozen Four winning team they were last year, and Minnesota-Duluth continues to silence doubters as the NCHC leaders.
CR: Yes, that foursome will hold. That’s the cream of NCHC and even though there are some decent squads outside of that group, I don’t see them overtaking. As fast as how many make it to the dance, I think there’s a very reasonable chance that all four make it in. We saw six from the Hockey East get in last year, with five being at-large adds. We’re looking at four of the top seven-ranked squads in the nation at the moment.
SS: I also think that four holds, and I think Denver, North Dakota, and Western Michigan make the NCAAs.
Most of the best players in the country to date are sophomores. Is there anyone you would put in your Hobey Hat Trick right now who is a freshman, junior, or senior?
SH: The two that come to mind have been driving their respective teams' offence in very different ways. Hughes has brought game-breaking speed to Michigan this season as a senior and team captain. In recent weeks, especially, the play has flowed through him at every turn. Among freshmen, I was tempted to put forth Justin Poirier's name, but will go with Porter Martone instead. He's acclimated the best among all CHL transfer studs, and has dictated the play, played hard in all three zones, and added ten goals through 12 games.
SS: I don't think he'll be there in the end, but let's give Alex Gaffney some love at St. Thomas. The grad transfer from Harvard has 19 points in 13 games. If St. Thomas makes the NCAAs, he'll have a shot.
RL: I think Miller might make a case for himself because, 1) I expect Denver to be one of the best teams in the country, and 2) I think he's been their best player to date. Eric Pohlkamp obviously has that kind of cred as well, but I dunno if scoring only a little more than a point a game from the blue line is gonna get him Hobey Hat Trick consideration.
CR: I think we could shine a little light on a guy like Hughes, who fits a lot of the criteria for the Hat Trick. Senior. Captain of the top-ranked team in the country. Second in the nation for scoring. Community-based stuff.