There's sure to be plenty of action at the Frozen Four this weekend.
Four of the best teams in the nation, including three of the four No. 1 seeds in this year's tournament, will take the ice in St. Paul, Minn., for a shot at glory.
There's plenty of New England representation, too, via Boston College and Boston University, who could meet in the national championship. Denver and Michigan will have plenty to say about that, though.
Elsewhere around the nation, there's already a lot of movement to keep track of with the bustling activity of the transfer portal. Some key skaters and goaltenders have entered the portal to survey their options for next season. Several teams and players have already pounced at new opportunities that beckon.
How's it affecting the programs around New England? Northeastern, for one, has been extremely busy in the portal.
Let's dive into the 10 most impactful transfer portal moves for New England teams, so far.
Matt Copponi
Former team: Merrimack
New team: TBD
Merrimack is losing a key piece in Copponi (Mansfield, Mass.), one of the more intriguing skaters in the portal this season. The Dexter Southfield product broke out as a sophomore last season, putting up 14 goals and 29 points in 37 games, helping Merrimack to an NCAA tournament berth. The Edmonton draft pick led the Warriors in scoring this season with 32 points (seven goals), while being limited to 30 games. Copponi staying within Hockey East is a possibility, too, with Boston University and potentially other schools in the mix to land him, according to Mike McMahon. Merrimack got right to work trying to replace Copponi and Alex Jefferies' production, though. The Warriors landed Ferris State's Antonio Venuto, Sacred Heart's John Jaworski and Lake Superior State's Harrison Roy (Lakeville, Mass.). Each had at least 24 points this season.
Matthew Wood
Former team: UConn
New team: Minnesota
Like Copponi, Wood was one of the biggest names to hit the portal this spring. A former first round pick of Nashville, Wood had 11 goals and 34 points as a freshman before putting up 16 goals and 28 points this season as a sophomore. The 6-foot-4, 196-pound power forward can be a game-breaker. Losing him is a massive blow to UConn's forward group, which also loses sophomore Samu Salminen (17 points). It didn't take long for Wood to have plenty of suitors, either. He already committed to Minnesota for next season.
Gunnarwolfe Fontaine
Former team: Northeastern
New team: Ohio State
Few skaters in Hockey East had the clutch gene in the way Fontaine (East Greenwich, R.I.) did over the last few seasons. He scored the game-winning goal in overtime of both the Beanpot semifinals and finals this season, and he had a pair in last season's championship as well. A former Nashville seventh-rounder, he finished with at least 25 points in three straight season, putting up eight goals and 19 assists this year. He's among a few key departures from the Huskies' forward group, be it Justin Hryckowian, who turned pro, or Matt Choupani, who also entered the portal. Fontaine will play at Ohio State next season.
Arsenii Sergeev
Former team: UConn
New team: Penn State
Sergeev, a Flames prospect, split the net with Ethan Haider this season. The former put up an 8-8-0 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.70 goals-against average. As a freshman last season, he went 11-6-1 with a .912 save percentage and a 2.61 GAA. His transferring to Penn State leaves UConn without a rostered goaltender for next season as Haider turned pro and third-stringer Matt Pasquale (North Reading, Mass.) is set to graduate. The duties in the crease will now fall to incoming freshman Callum Tung out of the BCHL, barring any portal moves for the Huskies.
Nils Wallström
Former team: AIC
New team: Merrimack
Merrimack lost all three goalies from this year's roster, including Hugo Olas (turned pro) and Zachary Borgiel (transfer portal). So, landing Wallström out of the portal is a pretty good pickup in the crease for Scott Borek. Wallström put up a .920 save percentage and a 2.27 GAA in 33 games as a freshman with American International College this season. The Warriors also have Max Lundgren as an option in net. He had to sit out this season.
Jack Rickets
Former team: Holy Cross
New team: QuinnipiacÂ
The Bobcats landed one of the most productive skaters in the portal in Rickets. He had 19 goals and 35 points in 39 games for Holy Cross last season, the second-most goals and third-highest point total of any skater in the portal. Rickets is potentially a big get for QU, who lost a ton of production. Collin Graf (Lincoln, Mass.) and Jacob Quillan went to the pro ranks, while contributors Cristophe Tellier and Christophe Fillian are headed elsewhere next season.
Nick Anderson
Former team: Colgate
New team: UMass Lowell
Anderson, an offensive defenseman, was one of the most productive blue-liners in the portal. He facilitated offense for Colgate this season, posting 19 assists and 21 points. His arrival in Lowell could be key for the River Hawks, who struggled offensively this season. UML scored 72 goals this season, the fifth-fewest nationally and by far the fewest among Hockey East teams (Vermont had the second-fewest with 87). Lowell will also bring in Anderson's teammate, Pierson Brandon, who put up 15 points on defense.
Ryan McGuire
Former team: Colgate
New team: Northeastern
McGuire is a key add for the Huskies as they seek to replace Fontaine, Hryckowian and Choupani, among others. As a junior this season, McGuire posted 14 goals and 26 points with Colgate. He also won 57.6 percent of his face-offs. He could be a great fit down the middle in NU's top six.
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Cristophe Tellier
Former team: Quinnipiac
New team: Northeastern
The Huskies weren't done with McGuire, though, adding Tellier from Quinnipiac. The junior had a career high in points this season with 26 points (19 assists). He had 22 points (14 assists) as a sophomore en route to a national championship with the Bobcats. He's the type of playmaking winger with a winning pedigree that could fit right into Fontaine's role.
Logan Will
Former team: Colorado College
New team: Providence College
The Friars are adding some solid production with Will, who had seven goals and 18 assists for the Tigers this season. He set a career-high in goals and matched his previous best for points from his sophomore season. From an offensive standpoint, the forward will be a nice complement to a solid group of returners for PC, who bring back its top five leading scorers from this season. He'll also bring plenty of leadership after wearing the 'C' for Colorado College the last two seasons.
