21 NAHL Alumni Hit the Ice for the NCAA Division I Men’s Frozen Four

April 9, 2026

Photo via Dan Sanger/UW Athletics

The stage is set as the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Frozen Four starts today, Thursday April 9, 2026 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The North American Hockey League is proud to announce that 21 athletes with NAHL connections will be competing for the most coveted trophy in collegiate hockey.

The semifinal round of competition will feature the University of Wisconsin Badgers taking on the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at 5 p.m. EDT. Shortly following that matchup, the University of Michigan Wolverines will face the University of Denver Pioneers at 8:30 p.m. EDT. The winners from those games will battle on Saturday night for the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championship title.

Wisconsin spotlights the most players with NAHL ties in the Frozen Four, with eight former NAHLers lacing up! Leading the charge as the captain, the former Austin Bruin (2020-21), Ben Dexheimer, has played a crucial role for the Badgers from the blue line. The Minnesota native leads all blueliners in Wisconsin with seven tallies and 27 points on the season. The former Bruin was named to the All-Big 10 First Team in his senior season, and Dexheimer is looking to help the Badgers claim their seventh national championship. His work from the blue line was crucial in the NCAA Regional Final. The defenseman from the State of Hockey found twine in overtime fashion for the Badgers. He helped to punch their ticket to Wisconsin’s first Frozen Four since 2010.

Another NAHL alumnus to play a crucial role all season long for the Badgers and in the NCAA Regional Final is former Austin Bruin (2021-23) Gavin Morrissey. The 23-year-old from Ohio leads the Wisconsin roster with 36 points on the season. His offensive production was crucial in the third frame against Michigan State at the NCAA Regional Final. Morrissey evened the score 3-3, helping his team make a comeback. In addition to his game-tying goal, the former Bruin notched two assists in the contest, contributing to three out of the four Wisconsin goals in the game.

Another important note about the Wisconsin roster, the eight former NAHL players all laced up to play in the Central Division.

Three NAHL teams are tied, featuring the most former players in the 2026 Frozen Four. The Austin Bruins, Bismarck Bobcats, and Minot Minotauros each feature four alumni. In addition, 12 NAHL teams are represented in the final four teams in this year’s championship.

To learn more about the bracket and how to watch the tournament, check out the championship hub.

University of Michigan

Joshua Eernisse - Austin Bruins (2019-20)

Stephen Peck - Bismarck Bobcats (2023-24)

Joshua Orrico - Janesville Jets (2022-23)

Kason Muscutt - Shreveport Mudbugs (2022-23)

University of North Dakota

Anthony Meghini - Austin Bruins (2021-22)

Ian Engel - Bismarck Bobcats (2022-25)

Tyler Young - Maryland Black Bears (2021-22)

Ben Strinden - Minot Minotauros (2019-20)

Zachary Sandy - Minot Minotauros (2021-22)