17 Big Ten Players Selected in 2017 NHL Entry Draft

A total of 18 players with Big Ten connections were drafted in the 2017 Entry Draft on Friday. The Gophers owned the highest draft pick with forward Casey Mittelstadt going No. 8 overall to the Buffalo Sabres. The Wolverines had two players selected, one in the first and second round to boast the highest picks combined.

The B1G Scoreboard (10/14/16-10/16-16)

Men's Scores From 10/14/16

• Michigan State @ Lake Superior, 7:37 ET
• Penn State @ Mercyhurst, 7:05 ET
• (6) Boston College @ Wisconsin, 7:00 CT
• U.S. U-18 Team @ Minnesota, 7:00 CT

Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now?: Players Leaving Early

It happens each and every year; the calling of the NHL gets too great for the 19-22 year olds. It becomes even easier to jump ship after a rough and/or disappointing season. Here's a look at which players have opted out of their remaining collegiate days in hopes of an NHL future.

Michigan

Andrew Copp - Junior Forward, Winnipeg Jets
Copp is another Michigan native took off from Ann Arbor for the bigs. He was a fourth round pick by the Winnipeg Jets in 2013. Going so late in the round, I'd be willing to bet the Jets gave him a pretty good offer to make the leap from Michigan. An up and coming team it'd be no surprise if Copp has the opportunity to break into the lineup at some point next season.

Impact: Copp had a breakout season his junior year. He put up a career-best 31 points and was the team's third leading scorer all while wearing the 'C'. He made a noticeable difference on and off the ice. While his loss will be tough, it's not the end all be all for a Michigan squad on the rise.

2015-16 Big Ten Schedule Released

It's time to gear up for next season -- at least a little bit anyway -- with the release of next year's Big Ten schedule. Fans will be pleased to see most of the games have gone back to the typical Friday/Saturday night series with just two Sunday and Thursday night games a piece.

2015‐16 BIG TEN HOCKEY SCHEDULE  
Friday Dec. 4 Wisconsin at Michigan
Friday Dec. 4 Ohio State at Minnesota
Friday Dec. 4 Michigan State at Penn State

Saturday Dec. 5 Wisconsin at Michigan
Saturday Dec. 5 Ohio State at Minnesota
Saturday Dec. 5 Michigan State at Penn State

Friday Dec. 11 Minnesota at Michigan
Friday Dec. 11 Wisconsin at Michigan State

Saturday Dec. 12 Minnesota at Michigan
Saturday Dec. 12 Wisconsin at Michigan State

The Big Ten in the Biggest Moments

By Miles McQuinn

There’s only one thing that can bring out hockey sweaters in the warm months of May and June – it’s Stanley Cup playoff time. Plenty of familiar names don the ice in the conference finals of this year’s quest for the Cup. But the Big Ten has been represented long before the conference even came to be. Here’s a look at some of the best playoff performers to come out of Big Ten schools.

(Editor’s Note: We’re aware that these players were not in the Big Ten Hockey Conference at the time that they played... just go with it and enjoy!)

Let's Party: My NCAA picks and take on Minnesota's chances

By Miles McQuinn

The end of March into April has to be my favorite time of year. The daily grind of college courses start winding down, mother nature is in a happier mood (for most parts of the nation anyway) and hockey takes center stage across the nation.

This time of year signals playoff and tourney time. tourney time. With the NCAA hockey tournament kicking off today, I say let the real "March Madness" begin.

Like basketball, filling out a bracket is a must. Last year my bracket wasn't too pretty with the exception of my Big Ten picks which were spot on (covering them throughout the season educated me well).

This year we only have one B1G team making the big dance. Will the Gophers represent well? There's potential but getting past Jack Eichel and the BU crew will be a true test.

So without further adieu, here is who I have hanging a banner in 2015.

Here Lies: Michigan's 2014-15 Season

In the championship battle of the U of M's, we all knew one must ultimately fall. Saturday night at the Joe it was the boys in blue who gave in as No. 3 Michigan was done in by No. 1 Minnesota, 4-2.

Overall it was a successful season for Michigan. The Maize and Blue had an unreal offense, quick and high-scoring. The charge was led by Zach Hyman, Andrew Copp and Dylan Larkin. Hyman had 58 points on the season and was named to the All-Tournament team after leading all players in scoring over the weekend with five points.

Hyman and company were the storyline for Michigan this season. They absolutely dominated, leading the conference with 143 goals during the season.

But the Gophers rallied behind their own dominating offense. Minnesota managed to pepper Wolverine goaltender State Racine with 20 shots in the first period along -- a season-high shots allowed for Michigan.

It's a tough way to go out, but Red Berenson knows how to reload. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michigan in the championship game in 2016 -- maybe this time they take home the hardware.

RIP

Here Lies: Ohio State's 2014-15 Season

It wasn't as quick and painless as many had thought. The Gophers were a tough draw, but Ohio State had been here before. Last season they upended the mighty Minnesotans. This year was a different story. This year the Buckeyes lost and finished their season. 

Watching senior captain Tanner Fritz head back to the dressing room in full uniform, almost in tears knowing his collegiate career had come to a close, it doesn't take much more than that to realize that it's about more than a game.

For Fritz, he will soon become the first member of his family to graduate from college.

The Buckeye captain's journey has come full circle.

Ohio State, who had won six of their last seven games coming into Friday afternoon's Big Ten semifinal contest against Minnesota, saw their 2014-15 journey come to a close on Friday afternoon at Joe Louis arena by a 3-0 final score.

Tourney Talk: Thoughts Heading Into Big Ten Tournament

By Miles McQuinn

What a wild finish to the Big Ten Conference regular season. All six teams are set to make their journey to Joe Louis Arena with the hopes of not only a conference title, but the chance to play for an NCAA title as well. Unfortunately, it looks like the Big Ten will only have one, maybe two representatives in the big dance this year. Regardless, here's my thoughts on each team as an exciting weekend in the motor city quickly approaches.

Michigan, Penn State Lead Season Awards

The Big Ten announced its end of the year awards Monday morning. Michigan and Penn State tied for nine awards a piece, with Michigan's freshman phenom Dylan Larkin being a unanimous selection in three categories. Michigan State netminder Jake Hildebrand made an impression this year. His outstanding play between the pipes -- where he led the conference in every goaltending category -- earned him Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year. Minnesota's Mike Reilly also found himself in a familiar place, winning the Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The B1G Scoreboard (2/20/15 - 2/22/15)

Men's Scores From 2/20/15:

• Michigan @ Ohio State, 7:00 ET

• Minnesota @ Penn State, 6:30 ET on BTN
  
• Michigan State @ Wisconsin, 8:00 CT on BTN 

Valentine's Cards For The One Who Lit The Lamp On Your Heart

Because nothing goes toether better than love and hockey. 

B1Gger Effect in the State of Hockey?

By Jessi Pierce

For three years I've seen it time and time again. I'd venture to say 90 percent of tweets or posts sent out in regards to the realignment and Big Ten hockey are met with negativity far and wide. People are still angry and still long for the days of college hockey past. It's affected nearly every Big Ten team's fan base, but the biggest resentment seems to be reserved for Minnesota fans.

Trust me, I get it. A State of Hockey native, I'll be the first to admit that my heart is with the Gopher Hockey team each and every season. It has been since I can remember. It's the team that I grew up following, every successful and unsuccessful tournament run.

The B1G Scoreboard (1/30/15-1/31/15)

Men's Scores From 1/30/15:

• Michigan State 2, Michigan 1 -- Spartans Take Down No. 13 Michigan, 2-1

• Minnesota 7, Wisconsin 5 -- Gophers Put Up Seven in Win Over Badgers

Women's Scores From 1/30/15:

• Syracuse 2, Penn State 2 OT

• Wisconsin 3, Minnesota State 0

• Ohio State 3, Minnesota 3 OT (Minnesota wins shootout)

Men's Scores From 1/31/15:

• Minnesota 4, Wisconsin 4 OT (Wisconsin wins shootout) -- Badgers Draw, 4-4, with Minnesota

Women's Scores From 1/31/15:

• Syracuse 2, Penn State 4

• Wisconsin 5, Minnesota State 1

• Ohio State 1, Minnesota 3

B1G Has Higher Hopes in Hockeytown

By Mike Hinrichs

It's still a little less than two months away, but it's never too early to start looking forward to the second annual B1G tournament, set to take place March 19-21. This year's tourney heads to the heart of Hockeytown, hosted at the infamous Joe Louis Arena.

Last year's inaugural B1G conference tournament called the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul home. Looking at the attendance numbers, you can bet the Big Ten is hoping for a better turnout the second time around.

Why the B1G Bust in 2014-15?

By Jessi Pierce

It's been a rough year two for many Big Ten hockey fans. While Michigan and Penn State and find themselves enjoying the top of conference standings respectively, perennial powerhouses Minnesota and Wisconsin are facing struggles that have shaken their fan bases to the core. Meanwhile Michigan State and Ohio State continue to work for establishment in the middle of the pack.

On a nationwide scale the darkness of the Big Ten is even more noticeable. Take a look at the college polls and you'll be hard pressed to find a Big Ten team in the top 15 -- especially in recent weeks.

The B1G Scoreboard (11/13/14-11/15/14)

Women's Scores From 11/13/14:

• Minnesota State 2, Wisconsin 8

Men's Scores From 11/14/14:

• Ohio State 3, Bowling Green, 2 -- Ohio State Scores Late for 3-2 Win at No. 19 Bowling Green

• Boston College 3, Michigan State 2 -- Spartans Come Up Short Against No. 8 Boston College

• American International 2, Michigan 5 -- Copp's Two-Goal Night Carries Michigan over AIC

• Penn State 3, UMass-Lowell 5 -- No. 4 UMass-Lowell Downs Nittany Lions, 5-3

• Minnesota-Duluth 3, Minnesota 0 -- Gophers Fall to UMD in Series Opener

Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge Doesn't Disappoint Once Again

Storied programs provide perfect early season excitement

By Miles MicQuinn

If you're like me, you salivate at the idea of teams like Boston College and Minnesota going head to head. Two teams who share a total of 10 national championships – five a piece – between them and come reloaded every season. It’s comparable to Alabama and LSU or Ohio State and Michigan on the gridiron in that the match-up can’t be beat.

The B1G Scoreboard (10/24/14-10/26/14)

Men's Scores From 10/24/14:

• Bemidji 2, Minnesota 5 -- Gophers Score Five in Win over BSU

• Michigan 8, UMass-Lowell 4 -- Michigan Explodes for Eight Goals in Win at No. 8 UMass-Lowell

• Michigan State 0, Boston University 1 -- Spartans Can't Solve Terriers in 1-0 Loss

• Holy Cross 1, Penn State 3 -- Nittany Lions Thwart Crusaders, 3-1

Women's Scores From 10/24/14:

• Wisconsin 2, Bemidji 1

• North Dakota 2, Minnesota 5

Men's Scores From 10/25/14:

• Michigan 2, Boston University 3 -- U-M Surrenders Third-Period Lead in Loss at No. 11 BU 

• Michigan State 1, UMass-Lowell 2 -- Spartans Fall at No. 8/7 UMass-Lowell, 2-1

• Bemidji 3, Minnesota 5 -- Gophers Sweep Beavers in Home Opener

Women's Scores From 10/25/14:

• Wisconsin 4, Bemidji, 3

• North Dakota 0, Minnesota5

Men's Scores From 10/26/14:

• Holy Cross 1, Penn State 7 -- Men's Hockey Dominates Holy Cross, 7-1

Women's Scores From 10/26/14:

• Princeton 1, Penn State 2

Women's Scores From 10/27/14:

• Princeton 4, Penn State 1

Our Big Ten Wish List For 2014-15

Finally. Let the puck drop and let's get the season underway. Last year proved that the world didn't implode thanks to the newly elected conferences and the parity was a bit closer than most may have thought. And like all seasons last year was full of upsets and surprises much to the excitement of college hockey fans everywhere.

So what do we want to see in 2014-15? Here are a few thoughts that immediately come to mind: