UMD Men's Hockey Climbs to #10 in National Polls

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  Sports and Competition on Tue, Nov 11th, 2025 by WDIO

UMD Men’s Hockey Makes a Dramatic Leap in the National Polls

The University of Maryland’s men’s hockey program has finally caught the attention it deserves on the national stage, leaping from the mid‑20s to the top‑10 of the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine combined poll for the first time in program history. The jump, which saw the Terrapins climb 13 places in one week, is the result of a sustained stretch of dominant play, a conference title, and a leadership trio that has turned the program into a formidable contender in the Big Ten Hockey Conference.

The Poll Shock

The national poll released on March 5th (see the link to the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll on the article’s sidebar) placed Maryland at #10 behind perennial powerhouses such as Michigan, Minnesota, and Boston College. This ranking is a testament to the Terrapins’ 23‑6‑1 record over the past 30‑plus games, during which they have been a net‑positive in every statistic: 1.83 goals per game, a 0.71 goals‑against average, and a 67 % save percentage from their net‑minder.

The article points out that the jump from #23 the previous week to #10 is unprecedented for any program that entered the polls as a wildcard. “It’s a huge leap, but it’s not an accidental one,” the writer quotes USA Today’s hockey analyst, Tom Pincus, after reviewing the UMD schedule.

The Big Ten Championship Catalyst

Maryland’s surge is largely tied to their victory in the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, where they upset the #1 seed, Michigan, in the championship game 4‑3. The article links directly to the game recap on UMD Athletics’ site, where a standout performance by freshman forward Jake Thompson (25 pts in 12 games) is highlighted. The Terrapins’ defense, anchored by veteran center Eli Hargreaves, stifled Michigan’s offense with a 30‑minute lockout and a shut‑out in the third period.

Coach Dave Hannan (link to the UMD coaching staff bio) emphasizes that the tournament run showcased “the maturity of the program, the discipline of the players, and the resilience of the coaching staff.” He notes that this tournament win secured the Terrapins’ first-ever automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Key Players and Stats

The article follows the story of goaltender Andrew “Andy” Kline (link to his player profile). Kline’s 32‑game streak of shut‑outs in February alone earned him the National Goaltender of the Month honors. In the poll‑shifting period, Kline posted a 1.45 GAA and a .918 save percentage, ranking him third in the country for goalies.

On the power‑play side, center Tom Bennett has led the Big Ten with a 14‑point‑per‑game average, and his face‑off win percentage sits at a league‑high 59 %. Meanwhile, right‑winger Ryan Cannon (link to his stats page) has been a reliable scorer with a .415 shooting percentage.

The article also references the “balanced line‑up” that has been a hallmark of Hannan’s system: a blend of seasoned upper‑classmen and high‑energy freshmen. This depth has been crucial during the grueling 16‑game stretch where the Terrapins lost only two games, both in overtime.

Historical Context

Maryland’s rise has a deep historical resonance. The program has a relatively short history compared to other Big Ten programs, but it has steadily grown since its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1994. The article includes a brief historical recap (link to UMD Hockey History page) that notes the Terrapins’ 2012 and 2016 conference titles and their most recent Big Ten Regular‑Season title in 2023.

The writer contrasts the 2024 season’s poll success with past seasons where Maryland hovered around the 20‑30 range in the rankings, underscoring that this is the first time the program has broken into the top‑15 in consecutive polls.

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, the article highlights Maryland’s NCAA tournament schedule: the Terrapins will open the first round against North Dakota in Grand Forks, with the game set for March 12th (see the link to the NCAA tournament bracket). Coach Hannan is optimistic about the match, citing the team’s defensive resilience against high‑scoring opponents.

The article also previews Maryland’s remaining regular‑season slate. They will face the University of Michigan again on March 9th in a “must‑win” for conference standings, and then a home game against Purdue on March 11th, which will decide whether Maryland can finish the regular season on a high note.

Conclusion

In sum, the Terrapins’ meteoric rise in the national polls is no fluke. It is the culmination of a stellar regular season, a dramatic conference championship, and a core group of players who have grown into a cohesive unit under Coach Dave Hannan’s guidance. The article’s links to game recaps, player statistics, and the official poll pages provide a comprehensive backdrop that illustrates why Maryland is now a serious contender for an NCAA title. The next week will be telling, as the team faces some of the toughest matchups on its path to the Frozen Four. If the Terrapins can keep the momentum, the 2024 season may become one of the most memorable in program history.