The NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Committee has selected the 16 teams that will participate in the 2025 NCAA tournament.
The Washington Capitals will have five prospects on five different teams involved in the single-elimination format. To win the national championship, a team will need to win two games in their regional site, before winning two games in the Frozen Four.
Participating Capitals prospects
Ryan Leonard (2023 first-round pick) – Boston College
Leonard will attempt to lead the no.1 overall-seeded Boston College to their second straight national title game in his sophomore season. The Eagles were shut out by Denver 2-0 last year and will likely play the Pioneers in the regional final this year for a chance to go back to the Frozen Four.
The 20-year-old winger is the NCAA’s leading goal scorer, potting 29 goals in 35 games this season. Leonard was named Hockey East Player of the Year after finishing as the conference’s scoring champion and Three Stars Award winner.
Leonard is expected to sign with the Capitals once his postseason with BC ends. The contending Caps factored in his potential cap hit in their trade deadline plans.
Cole Hutson (2024 second-round pick) – Boston University
Hutson is playing in his first NCAA tournament after finishing the season as the top-scoring freshman in the nation. The 18-year-old defender posted 40 points (12g, 28a) in 35 games for the Terriers.
BU already won the Beanpot during the regular season, with Hutson being named MVP of the midseason tournament. Hutson was also named Hockey East Rookie of the Year.
Ryan Chesley (2022 second-round pick) – University of Minnesota
Chesley’s Golden Gophers were runners-up for the national title at the end of his freshman 2022-23 season. They didn’t qualify for last year’s Frozen Four, the first Frozen Four held in the state of Minnesota without a team from Minnesota since 1991.
The 21-year-old junior defenseman had his best year in college yet this season, recording 20 points (8g, 12a) in 39 games.
Brent Johnson (2021 third-round pick) – Ohio State
Johnson is playing his second season with Ohio State since transferring from North Dakota in 2023. The Buckeyes missed out on the tournament altogether last season, and Johnson has never been to a Frozen Four during his four years of college.
The 22-year-old rearguard recorded 13 points (5g, 8a) in 37 games.
David Gucciardi (2022 seventh-round pick) – Michigan State
Gucciardi’s Spartans were knocked out of their regional last year by their bitter rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. He has never been to a Frozen Four in his four seasons with Michigan State.
The 22-year-old blueliner doubled his offensive production this season, posting 16 points (6g, 10a) in 36 games.
Hutson’s Boston University will play the tournament’s first game at 2 pm on March 27 against Johnson’s Ohio State. All four regional finals will be complete by March 30.
This year’s Frozen Four will be hosted at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri on April 10 and 12. All of the tournament’s action will be broadcast on ESPN+, ESPNU, or ESPN2.
