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The NCAA Frozen Four is back. Four teams will partake in the festivities in Tampa Bay, Florida, starting on Thursday for a chance to be crowned the NCAA champions.
Let’s take a look at the NCAA Frozen Four history for each team that will make the trek down to Tampa:
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines have a storied history in the NCAA Frozen Four. The Wolverines have made 25 appearances in the competition, tied for the most all time with Boston College.
Michigan has won the national championship nine times, most recently in 1998. Their first championship came in 1948 and they went on to win again in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1996 and 1998. The Wolverines have also finished as the runner-up five times, most recently in 2011 against the UMD Bulldogs.
The Wolverines made the Frozen Four last season, where they were beaten by eventual champions Denver Pioneers in the semifinals.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have a rich history in the NCAA Frozen Four, having made a record 22 appearances in the championship tournament. The Golden Gophers have won the national championship five times, most recently in 2003, and have finished as the runner-up six times.
Minnesota's first national championship came in 1974, and they went on to win again in 1976, 1979, 2002 and 2003. The Golden Gophers have also produced some of the greatest players in college hockey history, including Neal Broten, Robb Stauber, and Phil Housley.
They have been coached by some of the greatest coaches in college hockey history, including Herb Brooks, Doug Woog and Don Lucia. The Golden Gophers made it to the Frozen Four a year ago but were upset in the semifinals by the Minnesota State Mavericks.
Boston Terriers
The Boston University Terriers have a prominent history in the NCAA Frozen Four. The Terriers have made 23 appearances in the Frozen Four and have won the national championship five times, most recently in 2009.
Boston University's first national championship came in 1971, and they went on to win again in 1972, 1978, 1995 and 2009. The Terriers have also produced some of the greatest players in college hockey history, including Mike Eruzione, who scored the winner in the "Miracle on Ice" game at the 1980 Winter Olympics, and Tony Amonte, who went on to have a successful NHL career.
The Terriers have been coached by some of the most successful personnel in college hockey history. That includes Jack Parker, who led the team for 40 seasons and won three national championships.
The last time the Boston Terriers made the Frozen Four was in 2015, where they were upset by Providence.
Quinnipiac Bobcats
The Quinnipiac Bobcats may not have the same long-standing history in college hockey as some other programmes, but they have quickly established themselves as a formidable force. The Bobcats have made two appearances in the NCAA Frozen Four, in 2013 and 2016, and finished as the national runner-up in 2013.
Quinnipiac's rise to prominence in college hockey can largely be attributed to coach Rand Pecknold, who has led the programme for over 20 years. Under Pecknold, the Bobcats have won nine conference championships and have consistently been one of the top teams in the country.
Apart from their success in the NCAA Frozen Four, the Bobcats have also produced some talented players, including goaltender Eric Hartzell, who was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 2013.
The last time the tournament was in Tampa Bay, the Bobcats lost to North Dakota in the title game in 2016. This year, no Fighting Hawks stand in front of them.
