When the Big Ten hockey conference became an idea, no one expected it to be as competitive and skilled as it is now. In the past two years, the conference has produced incredible NHL talent like the likes Matty Benners, Owen Power, and Luke Hughes.
The conference was just an idea at first. In 2010, Buffalo Sabers owners Tim and Terry Pegula donated $88 million to Penn State in order to transition from a club hockey team to a Division I program.
The Nittany Lions made their NCAA debut in the 2012-13 season, meaning they were the sixth Big Ten school to have a hockey program, the number of teams required to sponsor by conference regulations.
Michigan State, Michigan State, and Ohio disbanded from the CCHA, and Wisconsin and Minnesota left the WCHA. Conference play did not begin until the 2013-14 season. In the 2017-18 season, the Big Ten welcomed Notre Dame as its seventh member.
Since then, the Big Ten has become a powerhouse of college hockey. Players want to play in the conference.
The Big Ten is well represented in the Washington Capitals farm system. There are three prospects currently playing in the conference: Ryan Chesley (Minnesota), David Gucciardi (Michigan State), and Brent Johnson (Ohio State). The Capitals recently added Big Ten alum Alex Limoges, who plays collegiately at Penn State.
“Every team we’ve played in the conference has been a really tough test,” said Chesley. “So you can’t take the weekend off. You can’t take anyone seriously.”
Last season, five of the seven Big Ten teams placed in the top twenty in the latest USCHO poll. Those are No. 2 Minnesota, No. 3 Michigan, No. 7 Ohio State, No. 8 Penn State and No. 19 Michigan.
“It’s a competitive league. I think it’s the best league in college hockey,” Gucciardi said. “You want to be there. You’re playing against top players who have a lot of skill and are expected to play in the NHL.”
Capitals camp invitee Simon Tassi of Minnesota, CCHA, will transfer to Wisconsin. The Badgers expect to make a big move this year under new head coach Mike Hastings, officially benching Tassie at Minnesota. This will be a completely new experience for the rising student.
“I heard it’s a very skilful league and they play hard. I’m really excited just to play in all the away games. Everyone in the conference is really good,” said Tassi. “I think it’s a lot like the youngsters get the bigger names. It was really hard to play in the CCHA because the players are usually older, more physical and like a lot of defense. I think the biggest difference might be more skill and more attack.”
Despite the high stock, the conference has not yet crowned a national champion since its inception. Minnesota lost to Quinnipiac in the national championship last year. The Gophers were the first Big Ten team to reach the Finals since 2018, when Notre Dame lost to Minnesota Duluth.
Make no mistake, however, the Big Ten produces some of the best hockey in the NCAA. Every match is tight, fast and physical and there is no bad team. Meanwhile, all of the teams enjoy some of the loudest fans in the country.
By Jacob Shires