USCHO Weekend Review

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

The early 2025-26 season has seen 11 upsets of ranked teams in the first four weeks, up from just two during the same period last season. Meanwhile, mild upsets have become the norm. We discuss why this is happening and whether it's a case of everyone getting better.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

Key games included Sacred Heart's OT win against Ohio State, Clarkson's victory over North Dakota, and Merrimack's win against Quinnipiac.

The hosts note the increasing balance in college hockey, with 11 top 10 teams losing to unranked opponents in the first four weeks compared to only two last year. The discussion covers various dynamics influencing the season, such as improved team performances, a deeper talent pool, and changes in player rosters and game strategies.

They also examine other ranked team matchups, including Michigan vs. Western Michigan and Boston University vs. Connecticut, while considering how these trends might shape the season. The episode concludes with a look forward to conference play, particularly in the Big Ten and NCHC.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

College hockey is experiencing a massive facilities arms race, with programs investing heavily in new arenas. Recent projects range from Union's $55 million M&T Bank Center to Northeastern's planned $300-350 million replacement for Matthews Arena, with notable investments at St. Thomas ($175M), Western Michigan ($100M+), and numerous other schools. The hosts debate whether this spending remains the primary recruiting advantage or if NIL money, revenue sharing, and player development have become equally important.

A major concern: nine-figure construction costs could make college hockey unsustainable and deter program expansion.

A key tension emerges around maintaining atmosphere during upgrades. Smaller, intimate venues like Cornell's Lynah Rink preserve the electric home-ice advantage that massive buildings often lose when they're harder to fill. The hosts note successful examples like UConn's compact arena and Union's decision to stay smaller rather than expand, while acknowledging the challenge of balancing modernization with the historic charm that makes college hockey special.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

The discussion starts with a look at three teams from the state of Michigan doing well:   Michigan State's rise to the No. 1 spot in the polls after sweeping Boston University on the road, plus Western Michigan and Michigan, both off to strong starts.

Discussions extend to analyzing the scoring trends in early-season games, the impact of special teams and officiating, and the promise shown by teams like Augustana, Quinnipiac, and Minnesota Duluth.

The episode closes with a preview of the upcoming "Schooley Bowl" between Robert Morris and Delaware where Derek Schooley's daughters will compete against each other.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

They delve into the importance of early-season non-conference games, highlighting the performances of different college hockey conferences in non-league play.

They also touch upon the continued growth of Maine and the significant turnaround of Miami, and with that the potential impact of new recruiting strategies in the expanding player pool.

The episode concludes with a discussion on how adapting to change is crucial for continued success in the ever-evolving landscape of college hockey.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

Key highlights include major upsets with top-ranked Western Michigan losing to Ferris State, Michigan narrowly defeated at home by New Hampshire, and Penn State falling to Clarkson, all on Thursday evening.

The trio also examines notable games involving Boston College at Minnesota, and Denver at Air Force. They note the difficulties in ranking teams due to big roster changes leading to unpredictable outcomes. The show also touches on Michigan's strong performance and the challenges Big Ten teams face in living up to national expectations.

Lastly, they look at promotional opportunities for college hockey marquee events like the Icebreaker Tournament and emphasize the need for more media coverage.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at a sometimes controversial topic in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

In the inaugural episode, we discuss the eligibility of CHL major junior players in NCAA hockey, the potential impact on recruitment, and how it's reshaping the player pool. Derek shares insights from his experience recruiting CHL players and highlights the increased competition and expanded talent pool now available to college hockey teams. The episode also touches on the challenges and opportunities for players transitioning from the CHL to college, as well as the need for better marketing strategies for college hockey's conferences to capitalize on this shift.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

The opening weekend of the college hockey season was highlighted by notable matchups like Penn State at Arizona State, Minnesota vs. Michigan Tech, Quinnipiac's victory over Boston College, and the Colorado College vs. UConn series.

They also delve into the hype around CHL player Gavin McKenna's debut, the evolving competitive landscape, and the impact of high-profile games being broadcast on major networks. The hosts also detail the NCAA's new Power Index (NPI), which replaces the PairWise for selecting the national tournament field, and examine its implications.


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review news from the AHCA convention and other offseason updates.

They discuss the highlights of the Frozen Four in St. Louis, notably Western Michigan's championship win. They delve into the underdog status of Western Michigan, their impressive post-New Year’s performance, and standout coaching strategies.

Another major topic is the NCAA's shift from the PairWise ranking system to the NCAA Power Index (NPI), aiming to simplify team selections for tournaments. The conversation also touches on the American Hockey Coaches Association Convention, where important updates like reducing the transfer portal window and potential roster limits were discussed.

Additionally, the discussion includes the possibility of NCAA hockey gaining more autonomy and the interest in NCAA coaches for NHL positions.

Lastly, there is a mention of future draft prospects and a nod to the retirements of key figures in college hockey coaching.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

The USCHO crew breaks down Saturday's national championship game, a 6-2 victory for Western Michigan over Boston University to give the Broncos their first national championship.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts