College Hockey Standouts: Hicks, Hughes & Top NHL Prospects 2024-25
DENVER – The University of Denver Pioneers are celebrating a championship after a thrilling double-overtime victory over Minnesota Duluth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff on . Freshman Kristian Epperson scored the game-winning goal, securing a 4-3 win for the Pioneers at Magness Arena.
The victory marks Denver’s 19th conference tournament crown and extends their season-long unbeaten streak to 13 games (12-0-1). The game was a back-and-forth affair, ultimately decided by Epperson’s shot off a feed from Clarke Caswell in the second overtime period. But the night truly belonged to Denver’s freshman goaltender, Johnny Hicks.
Hicks, who wasn’t even the team’s projected starter at the beginning of the season, delivered a performance for the ages, stopping an astounding 41 of 44 shots faced. His efforts earned him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player honors. The 5-foot-10 netminder stepped into the starting role in late January after an injury to Quentin Miller and hasn’t looked back, posting an 11-0-1 record in 12 starts with two shutouts and a .961 save percentage on the season.
“There’s obviously some lazy goalies out there,” Denver defenseman Eric Pohlkamp said, acknowledging the challenge Hicks presents even in practice. “But (Johnny) doesn’t take a shot off. He’s blocking every shot, whatever It’s. And no, he’s been super fun to watch. He competes every single day.”
Minnesota Duluth’s Adam Gajan also put forth a strong performance in net, stopping 29 of 33 shots, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Denver’s relentless attack and Hicks’ stellar goaltending. The loss ends the Golden Gophers’ run in the tournament.
The championship win caps a remarkable turnaround for the Pioneers. Prior to Hicks’ arrival in the net, Denver was struggling, sitting at 14-11-2 and 2-6-1 in their last nine matches. Since then, they’ve found a rhythm, with a deep squad finally clicking offensively, and Hicks providing the stability they needed between the pipes.
While Denver celebrates, the college hockey landscape is also witnessing standout performances from other rising stars. At the University of Michigan, T.J. Hughes continues to be a dominant force, having amassed 175 points (67 goals, 108 assists) in 153 games over his four seasons. Hughes recently led the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship with a goal and two assists against Ohio State, and currently ranks second nationally in points with 53 (20 goals, 33 assists) in 37 games. He is a finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award.
On the defensive side, Jake Livanavage of the University of North Dakota has earned All-NCHC First Team honors for the second consecutive season, contributing 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 36 games. Merrimack College’s Max Lundgren showcased his goaltending prowess in the Hockey East tournament, recording 49 saves in a championship-clinching win against the University of Connecticut after a 2-0 shutout against UMass in the semifinals, earning tournament MVP honors.
Penn State’s Gavin McKenna, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, is making waves with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 34 games and has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Elsewhere, Max Plante of the University of Minnesota Duluth, a second-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2024, is fifth in the country in scoring with 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists) in 38 games and is a Hobey Baker Award finalist.
Hayden Stavroff of Dartmouth University leads all of Division I with 29 goals and 48 points in 34 games, also earning recognition as a Hobey Baker Award Top Ten Finalist, ECAC Player of the Year, and Ivy League Player of the Year. Bentley University freshman Lucas Swedin secured the Atlantic Hockey championship with a 3-2 win over Sacred Heart, earning Most Outstanding Player honors after allowing only seven goals in his last five games. And Providence College saw a season turnaround after freshman Jack Parsons stepped into the starting goaltender role due to injury, posting a 13-4-0 record with a .923 save percentage.
The college hockey season is reaching its climax, with several players positioning themselves for potential NHL careers. Will Whitelaw of Western Michigan, a third-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, has 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists) in 37 games. Ethan Wyttenbach of Quinnipiac leads the nation in scoring with 58 points (24 goals, 34 assists) in 38 games and was a fifth-round pick by the Calgary Flames in 2025. Evan Murr of Minnesota State has been named CCHA Defenseman of the Year for the second straight season, and Max Plante is a Hobey Baker Award finalist.
Yet, it’s Johnny Hicks’ story that currently resonates most powerfully. The freshman goaltender’s unexpected rise to prominence has propelled the Denver Pioneers to a championship, and his performance serves as a testament to the impact a single player can have on a team’s fortunes. Denver will now look ahead to the NCAA tournament, carrying the momentum of their NCHC title and the confidence inspired by their unlikely hero in net.