The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) had its worst nonconference record in a decade this season, resulting in only two teams qualifying for the NCAA tournament. Despite this, Western Michigan clinched the NCAA national championship, marking the NCHC's seventh title in the last nine tournaments. The NCHC has dominated, winning 6 out of 7 games in the NCAA tournament this season.
In contrast, the Big Ten, despite its resources and recruitment efforts, has yet to secure an NCAA title since its formation in 2013-14. While the Big Ten has made strides in regular-season play, the NCHC's continued success in national tournaments highlights its competitive edge. The NCHC's recent dominance challenges the notion that recruiting top NHL prospects guarantees championship success in college hockey.