The NCAA men's hockey Frozen Four isn't just about bragging rights. It's an opportunity to glimpse the future of the sport, to watch elite players on college hockey's biggest stage before their names adorn the backs of NHL jerseys.
Take the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The top seed in the 2023 Frozen Four has NHL prospects such as forward Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes), winger Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs), forward Jimmy Snuggerud (St. Louis Blues) and defenseman Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild). Twenty years ago, when the Gophers won another national title in the 2003 Frozen Four, it was Thomas Vanek, Paul Martin and Keith Ballard leading the way -- all of whom played over 600 games in the NHL.