Having a single elite player can only get you so far in college hockey; a duo of elite players can make you a solid team, but three makes you a threat every game. So which teams this coming season have the best trios heading into what will be a bloodbath of a hockey season?
College hockey is heading into a golden era, and with that comes a lot of talent depth throughout the country. In a sport like basketball, you can get away with having one player step up and carry the team; in hockey, you need a collective. Some of the best teams in previous years have deep rosters and have a few players who bring the firepower every game.
This goes over the top trios in the NCAA, and how those players can elevate their team in a way that puts them in national championship contender status. So which teams lead the pack with the best trios in college hockey?
The University of North Dakota
The trio of sophomore Keaton Verhoeff, Cole Reschny, and freshman Carson Carels has to rank amongst the top in the country. Verhoeff and Carels were both top-10 picks in this past draft, with Carels being taken sixth overall by the Calgary Flames and Verhoeff going ninth to the San Jose Sharks. Reschny was also a first-round pick in 2025 by the Flames, and he’s been upping his stock since draft night.
Verhoeff and Carels were a pairing together at the World Juniors for Canada this past season, and despite being the youngest ones there, they held their ground and made a true impact. Reschny is the highest-scoring returning player to North Dakota, and if all three of these players hit their expectations, NoDak will be in the hunt all year.
The University of Michigan
Michigan is headlined by projected first-overall pick Landon DuPont, Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage, and Will Horcoff, a six-foot-five center drafted in the first round of the 2025 draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Hage was expected to turn pro this season, but his return brings a whole new element to the team. Horcoff was fourth in points last season and will be looking to build on that as he prepares for his NHL career. On the backend, Landon DuPont brings firepower, edge, pace, and amazing skill. If DuPont reaches his full potential, you could be looking at these three in the running for the Hobey Baker.
The University of Denver
Senior Sam Harris, sophomore Clarke Caswell, and freshman Daxon Ruolph will lead Denver. Harris is the returning leader in points from last year’s squad and was instrumental in the team’s national championship. Caswell was right behind him, just one point behind, and he’ll be one of head coach David Carle’s main guys in all situations.
Lastly, there’s freshman Daxon Rudolph, who was taken fourth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2026, and his role is expected to be very large for a freshman blueliner. He produces offense at a very high level and has the size to play with Carle’s system. These three have different factors to what makes them so good, and having your top players good at different areas sets you up for success in the long-term of a season.
The University of Notre Dame
This one is the most intriguing as all three of these players know each other very well; in fact, they’re all brothers. Sammy, Danny and Henry Nelson will be together next season for the Fighting Irish, and although Notre Dame hasn’t seen much success recently, these three can help turn that around.
Sammy is a projected top-10 pick in the 2027 draft and has the tools to put up a large point total, and still contribute in his own end, Danny is a New York Islanders draft pick who was expected to turn pro, but the Irish captain decided to stay with his brothers, in pursuit of bringing Notre Dame back to one of the Big-10s nest teams, and then Henry, the lone defenseman who started to see more production last year and will have a chance to rely on his defensive game more this year, due to the forward firepower.
Boston College
Dean Letourneau, Teddy Stiga, and Oscar Hemming are the headliners for this Eagles squad. Letourneau is entering his junior season after a monstrous sophomore year, and aside from his offensive talent, his size at six-foot-seven is a presence in its own. Teddy Stiga was a second-round pick by the Nashville Predators in 2024, and he saw a dip in production last season, dropping from 30 to 21 points. He still brings a lot of talent that will complement Letourneau, and when they’re not together, Stiga has the off-puck habits to make him effective everywhere.
Then comes the Finnish forward Oscar Hemming, who joined BC halfway through the season and fit right in. At six-foot-four, Hemming also brings a lot of size and skill. His eight points in 19 games last season were a bit underwhelming, but the team never found him a definitive role, and with a full offseason with the team, expect this trio to look elite all year.
