The ECAC is filled with talent, but one of its top teams deserves more love on the national stage. Why is that?
Although Dartmouth finished second in the ECAC last season and went on to win the conference tournament, it still feels as though the Big Green are one of the most underrated teams in the country heading into the 2026-27 season. How is that?
Dartmouth has already proven that it can compete at the top of the ECAC, but nationally, it still feels like the Big Green are treated as a good conference team rather than a legitimate national contender.
That perception is hard to understand when you look at what Dartmouth accomplished last season. The Big Green finished the regular season with a 23-8-4 record before winning the ECAC tournament for the first time in program history. They weren't a surprise team that caught everyone off guard for a weekend. They were one of the best teams in the conference from start to finish.
A big reason for that success was head coach Reid Cashman.
Cashman has completely changed the trajectory of Dartmouth hockey. After winning both the Tim Taylor Award and the Spencer Penrose Award as National Coach of the Year, it's difficult to argue that he hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt heading into another season.
Hayden Stavroff returns after being named ECAC Player of the Year and earning All-American honors, giving the Big Green not just one of the conference's most dangerous offensive weapons, but one of the best players in the country. Hank Cleaves also broke out last season, and his continued development could give Dartmouth another high-end scoring option. On top of that, Cleaves was also named an assistant captain for the Big Green this season.
The Big Green don't need to reinvent themselves completely. They need to build on what already worked, and that's where Cashman becomes so important to the team because he has already shown that he can develop players, build a winning culture, and get Dartmouth playing its best hockey when it matters most.
They have the returning talent, the coaching, and now the experience of knowing what it takes to win the conference. While teams like Boston College, Boston University, and other national powers will naturally receive more attention, Dartmouth has earned a place in that conversation.
They may have already won the ECAC, but nationally, I still don't think people are taking the Big Green seriously enough.
And if Reid Cashman has anything to say about it, Dartmouth won't be underrated for much longer.
