Frozen Four Tournament Highlights the Transfer Portal’s Impact on College Hockey

ST. LOUIS — This week, the focus is on hockey as the 2025 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four tournament is in full swing at the Enterprise Center, home to the NHL’s St. Louis Blues. The semifinals kick off Thursday at 4:30 p.m. when Western Michigan takes on Denver, followed by Boston University facing off against Penn State. While players and coaches gear up for the big games, many are also keeping a close eye on the transfer portal, which opened on March 30.

As of Wednesday, more than 250 players from 55 teams have entered the transfer portal. Out of these, 61 players have already found new schools, some even before officially entering. Notably, three of those who have committed are heading to Minnesota Duluth, while the team itself has lost seven players so far this month.

Jay Pandolfo, the coach of Boston University, recognized the challenge during this time when he’s supposed to be focused on winning against Penn State. “It’s a balancing act,” he said. “You want to focus on today but also need to think about the future.” The Terriers have secured a new player from the portal, luring in Sacha Boisvert, a freshman defenseman from North Dakota who was a first-round NHL draft choice for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Meanwhile, Western Michigan, which has seen significant activity in the transfer market, has added four players from the portal, including a transfer from Colorado College and another from Ohio State. Their coach, Pat Ferschweiler, acknowledged the challenge of juggling the excitement of the Frozen Four while planning for the next season. “It’s not easy,” he admitted, but he remains optimistic about building a strong team for the future.

On the other hand, Penn State and Denver have taken a different approach. Denver’s coach, David Carle, noted that while they are focused on the Frozen Four, the transfer market never stops. “Your phone is always on,” he mentioned. Both teams are aiming to concentrate on their current players while navigating the ever-changing landscape of player transfers.

As the Frozen Four unfolds, the atmosphere is filled with both excitement for the championships and uncertainty about the future as players on competing teams weigh their options. This year’s tournament is not just about the games, it’s also a reminder of the ongoing dance between talent and opportunity within college hockey.