Believe it or Not, Frozen Four's Fantastic Goaltenders are all Freshmen: Puck Drop

Your daily briefing on what's going on in college hockey, everything from the assists on the ice to the Zamboni.

Daniel Hauser stands in the crease before the second period at DCU Center on March 28, 2026. | John Sexton / Boston College Eagles On SI

1. Daniel Hauser, Wisconsin
2. Johnny Hicks, Denver
3. Jack Ivankovic, Michigan
4. Jan Špunar, North Dakota
5. Coach of the Year Finalists Named
6. Puck Drop: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
7. This Date in Hockey History
8. Hockey Quote of the Day
9. We'll Leave You With This ...

While much of the early talk about 2026 Frozen Four centers on it featuring the teams that have won the most national championships in college hockey — Denver, Michigan, North Dakota and Wisconsin — the final contenders for the national championship have something else in common.

They all have a freshman starting goalie (won once played in the Canadian Hockey League, as well), but there's actually a three-year range on their ages.

We kind of zeroed in on Denver 's Johnny Hicks the other day as he has yet take a loss since becoming the starter for the Pioneers in late January. But the other three have had some pretty impressive runs as well.

None of the finalists for the Mike Richter Award for goaltender of the year, Trey Augustine (Michigan State), Michael Hrabal (Massachusetts), andJosh Kotai (Augustana) will be in Las Vegas. as all have signed pro contracts and moved on. But take a look at this group, of which three were named the Most Outstanding Player of their regionals last week.

One of them is about to win a national championships. Wisconsin plays No. 2 North Dakota, with No. 1 Michigan facing Denver on April 9, and the title game two days later on April 11.

Daniel Hauser, Wisconsin

Birth Year: 2004
Hometown: Chestermere, Alberta
Height: 5-11
Weight: 167
Record: 20-7-2 (T7 in wins)
Winning percentage: .724 (5th)
Shutouts: 3 (T13)
GAA: 2.56 (36th)
Save Percentage: .899 (not in top 50)
Winning Streak: 2 games
Unbeaten Streak: 2 games
Last loss: Big Ten quarterfinals, a 7-1 loss to Ohio State. He yielded five of them.  
Note: We don’t want to say he’s been streaky, but Hauser won six straight games between Nov. 15 and Jan. 10, went winless in his next six games, including four losses, and won five straight from Feb. 6 to March 6 against only Big Ten opponents.

Johnny Hicks, Denver

Birth Year: 2005
Hometown: Kamloops, B.C.
Height: 5-10
Weight: 157
Record: 14-0-1 (T25 in wins)
Winning percentage: .967 (1st)
Shutouts: 3 (T13)
GAA: 1.12 (1st)
Save Percentage: .958 (1st)
Winning Streak: 11 games
Unbeaten Streak: 15 games
Last loss: Hasn’t happened yet.  
Note: Has allowed more than two goals just once this season (three to UMD in the NCHC championship). Michigan is undefeated this season when scoring at least three goals (25-0-1). It’s 1-7 when netting two or fewer.  

Jack Ivankovic, Michigan

Birth Year: 2007
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
Record: 25-7-1 (T7 in wins)
Winning percentage: .773 (4th)
Shutouts: 3 (T13)
GAA: 2.13 (12th)
Save Percentage: .923 (11th)
Winning Streak: 6 games
Unbeaten Streak: 6 games
Last loss: Feb. 27, 4-2 to Minnesota.    
Note: Is the only one of the four drafted, selected in the second round in 2025, No. 58 overall by Nashville. … Suffered a significant left leg/knee injury on January 10, 2026, against Notre Dame, that Coach Brandon Naurato initially believed would sideline him for a long time. However, he made a surprise return on February 7, 2026.

A 28 save shut out for Jack Ivankovic in the gold medal game 💪 #U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/zuphYWBDJX

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 4, 2025

Jan Špunar, North Dakota

Birth Year: 2004
Hometown: Olomouc, Czech Republic
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
Record: 20-4-1 (T7 in wins)
Winning percentage: .820 (2nd)
Shutouts: 6 (1st)
GAA: 1.90 (3rd)
Save Percentage: .917 (20th)
Winning Streak: 2 games
Unbeaten Streak: 2 games
Last loss: March 14, NCHC semifinal, 5-1 Minnesota Duluth
Note: Didn't give up a goal in the regionals ... Became the first goaltender in UND history to win his first 10 starts of his career. The first loss for “Spoon” was Jan. 9 at Colorado College. … Was the first freshman to be named the NCHC Goaltender of the Year.

What can't Jan Spunar do?

No, seriously. We can't come up with anything.@pdxwinterhawks | #WHLChampionship https://t.co/CzBW2czzse pic.twitter.com/tNhW1dXGl6

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 11, 2024

Coach of the Year Finalists Named

The American Hockey Coaches Association announced the finalists for the 2026 Spencer Penrose Award for coach of the year, which includes all of those heading to Las Vegas next week for the Frozen Four: David Carle, Denver (NCHC); Reid Cashman, Dartmouth (ECAC); Mike Hastings, Wisconsin (Big Ten); Erik Largen, Alaska (Independent); Adam Nightingaln, Michigan State (Big Ten); Andy Jones, Bentley (AHA). Nate Leaman, Providence (Hockey East); Brandon Naurato, Michigan (Big Ten); Dane Jackson, North Dakota (NCHC); and Luke Strand, Minnesota State (CCHA).

Spencer Penrose Award winners
1951    Edward Jeremiah, Dartmouth
1952    Cheddy Thompson, Colorado College
1953    John Mariucci, Minnesota
1954    Vic Heyliger, Michigan
1955    Ralph "Cooney" Weiland, Harvard
1956    William Harrison, Clarkson
1957    Jack Riley, Army
1958    Harry Cleverly, Boston University
1959    John "Snooks" Kelley, Boston College
1960    Jack Riley, Army
1961    Murray Armstrong, Denver
1962    Jack Kelley, Colby
1963    Tony Frasca, Colorado College
1964    Tom Eccleston, Jr., Providence
1965    Jim Fullerton, Brown
1966    Amo Bessone, Michigan State; Len Ceglarski, Clarkson
1967    Edward Jeremiah, Dartmouth
1968    Ned Harkness, Cornell
1969    Charlie Holt, New Hampshire
1970    John Maclnnes, Michigan Tech
1971    Ralph "Cooney" Weiland, Harvard
1972    John "Snooks" Kelley, Boston College
1973    Len Ceglarski, Boston College
1974    Charlie Holt, New Hampshire
1975    Jack Parker, Boston University
1976    John Maclnnes, Michigan Tech
1977    Jerry York, Clarkson
1978    Jack Parker, Boston University
1979    Charlie Holt, New Hampshire
1980    Rick Comley, Northern Michigan
1981    Bill O'Flaherty, Clarkson
1982    Ferny Flaman, Northeastern
1983    Bill Cleary, Harvard
1984    Mike Sertich, Minnesota-Duluth
1985    Len Ceglarski, Boston College
1986    Ralph Backstrom, Denver
1987    John "Gino" Gasparini, North Dakota
1988    Frank Anzalone, Lake Superior
1989    Joe Marsh, St. Lawrence
1990    Terry Slater, Colgate
1991    Rick Comley, Northern Michigan
1992    Ron Mason, Michigan State
1993    George Gwozdecky, Miami
1994    Don Lucia, Colorado College
1995    Shawn Walsh, Maine
1996    Bruce Crowder, UMass Lowell
1997    Dean Blais, North Dakota
1998    Tim Taylor, Yale
1999    Richard Umile, New Hampshire
2000    Joe Marsh, St. Lawrence
2001    Dean Blais, North Dakota
2002    Tim Whitehead, Maine
2003    Bob Daniels, Ferris State
2004    Scott Sandelin, Minnesota-Duluth
2005    George Gwozdecky, Denver
2006    Enrico Blasi, Miami
2007    Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame
2008    Red Berenson, Michigan
2009    Jack Parker, Boston University
2010    Wayne Wilson, RIT
2011    Nate Leaman, Union
2012    Bob Daniels, Ferris State
2013    Norm Bazin, UMass Lowell
2014    Rick Bennett, Union
2015    Mike Hastings, Minnesota State
2016    Rand Pecknold, Quinnipiac
2017    Jim Montgomery, Denver
2018    Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame
2019    Greg Carvel, Massachusetts
2020    Brad Berry, North Dakota; Mike Schafer, Cornell
2021    Mike Hastings, Minnesota State
2022    Mike Hastings, Minnesota State
2023    Bob Motzko, Minnesota
2024    Greg Brown, Boston College
2025    Pat Ferschweiler, Western Michigan

Hastings is the only finalist to have previously won the award, at Minnesota State in 2015, 2021 and 2022. He's one of only three coaches who have won it three times. The winner will be announced April 7.

Puck Drop: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

• Augustine, a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings that begins next season. The 21-year-old will join Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League for the remainder of the season on an amateur tryout.

• Augustine's former teammate Porter Matrone made his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers. He had five shots, a penalty, blocked a shotand lost a tooth in a 6-4 loss at Washington.

Welcome to the @NHL, Porter Martone! pic.twitter.com/GG0OP9oEeZ

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 31, 2026

• Former Boston University defenseman Matt Grzelcyk will not play the rest of the regular season for the Chicago Blackhawks. He sustained an upper-body injury against Nasvhille on March 22. Meanwhile, former Massachusetts defenseman Cale Makar sustained an upper-body injury during Colorado's 9-2 win against the Calgary on Monday, and left the game during the second period.

• The list of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award will be narrowed down to the three “Hobey Hat Trick” finalists on Thursday. The only finalists still in the tournament are Michigan forward T.J.Hughes and Denver defenseman EricPohlkamp.

This Date in Hockey History

April 1, 1919: The final game of the Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and the Seattle Metropolitans was canceled because of an influenza epidemic. Numerous players on both sides became ill and the Canadiens’ Joe Hall died of pneumonia brought on by the flu. No winner was declared.

April 1, 1921: Hall of Fame defenseman Ken Reardon was born in Winnipeg.

April 1, 1954: Gordie Howe scored the fastest goal in Stanley Cup playoffs history, 9 seconds. Detroit needed it en route to a 4-3 double-overtime win to eliminate Toronto and advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

April 1, 1964: Hall of Fame defender Scott Stevens was born in Kitchener, Ontario.

April 1 1965: North Dakota defenseman Brad Berry was born in Bashaw, Alberta.

April 1, 1969: New Hampshire defenseman Kevin Dean was born in Madison, Wisc.

April 1, 1971: Miami goaltender Richard Shulmistra was born in Sudbury, Ontario.

April 1, 1980: Former Bowling Green goaltender Mike Liut became the player in Blues history to have a 30-win season with a 5-2 victory over the Blackhawks.

April 1, 1981: The first Hobey Baker Memorial Award was presented at the at the Decathlon Club in Bloomington, Minn., in inaugural winner Neil Broten of Minnesota. He was named the winner on March 23. The model for the trophy was former Minnesota player, and 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team winger Steve Christoff.

April 1, 2918: Wayne Gretzky broke Bobby Orr‘s single-season record for assists, with his 103rd and 104th, as the Edmonton Oilers tied the Colorado Rockies 4-4. He finished with 109.

Aprill 1, 1984: The Minnesota North Stars signed former North Dakota goaltender Jon Casey as a free agent.

April 1, 1988: Former Boston College right wing Joe Mullen scored twice to reach the 40-goal mark as the Flames became just the second time in NHL history to have four 40-goal scorers in a single season. The first team was the rival Oilers during the previous season.

April 1, 1989: American Phil Housley set a Buffalo Sabres record for defensemen by scoring a goal for his 70th point of the season during a 4-3 victory at the New York Islanders.  

April 1, 1991: Miami right wing Reilly Smith was born in Mimico, Ontario.

April 1, 1993: Former Bemidji State center Joel Otto scored twice and picked up an assist for Calgary as it extended its home undefeated streak against the North Stars to 11 games (9-0-2) with a 5-3 victory.

April 1, 1994: Former Wisconsin goaltender Mike Richter notched his 38th win of the season, breaking Ed Giacomin‘s 25-year-old team Rangers record for wins in a season, with a 3-0 shutout over the visiting Dallas Stars.

April 1, 2003: Former North Dakota goaltender Ed Belfour became the seventh NHL player to win 400 career regular-season games as the Maple Leafs won at New Jersey, 3-2.

April 1, 2006: Former St. Cloud State center Matt Cullen scored his 100th career NHL goal and added an assist, but Carolina lost 5-2 at Atlanta.

April 1, 2008: Former Wisconsin defenseman Tom Gilbert set an Edmonton team record for most games played by a rookie defenseman when he appeared in his 81st game of the season.

April 1, 2010: Former Boston College goaltender Scott Clemmensen made 36 saves for his fifth career shutout and former Minnesota defenseman Keith Ballard scored the only goal as the Panthers won at the Bruins, 1-0.

April 1, 2024: Auston Matthews, out of the U.S. Developmental Team Program, scored his 61st goal of the season to top his own Maple Leafs record for goals in a season (60 in 2021-22). Toronto defeated Florida 6-4.

Team USA teammates reunited 🥹🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jW1liypBum

— x - Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 31, 2026

Hockey Quote of the Day

“I wouldn’t know! We haven’t had a shot on him yet!”

Lester Patrick on facing Frank Brimsek

We'll Leave You With This ...

USA hockey gold medalist Laila Edwards is in the house! Props to #NYR and MSG for a worthy introduction. pic.twitter.com/0152b6Jtgg

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) April 1, 2026

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