2022 Frozen Four | THREE THINGS

The NCAA Frozen Four took place over the weekend in Boston. Denver upset heavily-favored Michigan and went on to win the tournament.
Here are Three Things to know about the NCAA's annual title tournament, presented by Geico.

Both Hughes and Edwards are freshmen and expected to return to Michigan next season. With defenseman Owen Power already signed by the Buffalo Sabres and at least one more spot on the Wolverine blue line likely to open, both players should elevate their role in Ann Arbor next season.
Hughes, of course, doesn't have that much farther to go: he was a Hobey Baker top 10 finalist, while Edwards' role increased throughout the season.
Edwards' younger brother, Brett, suited up for the Pioneers. Savoie's younger brother, Matthew, is expected to be a top-10 selection in the NHL Draft this July.

2. Michigan, Minnesota Reloading for Next Season

Both losing semi-finalists, Michigan and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, are expected to have contending teams next season even as they deal with graduation losses.
Both schools are anticipating that top picks from this year's NHL Draft will join their team next season: Frank Nazar is headed to Michigan, while Logan Cooley is going to Minnesota. In addition, top 2023 prospect Adam Fantilli is also joining the Wolverines.
"Both (Nazar and Cooley) are ready to step into the NCAA," said Hockey Prospect's Mark Edwards. "I would expect them to make an impact as freshmen.
"Fantilli is a fantastic player, I'm really looking forward to watching him and the (other top) draft eligibles for 2023."
Like Hughes, it appears as though Gophers forward Matthew Knies (Toronto) will remain in college for another year and return for his sophomore season.
As Michigan and Minnesota fans know too well today, favorites often out the hard way how tough must-win tournament games can be. One minute you're riding high, the next your season is over.
"I appreciate calendar crunches faced by colleges" said Devils Assistant GM Dan MacKinnon, "but I also think that in series, be it three-, five- or seven-games, the best teams usually win."
MacKinnon wasn't taking anything away from Denver's victory but understandably felt for Hughes and Edwards, whom the organization hoped could have had one more game in their season.
Mark Edwards came at it from a fan's perspective:
"I love the (one-off) tournament style," said Edwards. "I wish the Memorial Cup (Canada's major junior championship) would adopt it."

3. National Title a Triumph for Denver's Carle

Winning a national championship is an amazing accomplishment for any coach. But there is a sense that Denver's win on Saturday is even more special for David Carle.
Carle was expected to be drafted in the 2008 NHL Draft. A defenseman slated to attend Denver, Carle was pegged to go in the second or third round, but pre-draft testing revealed a heart abnormality. The condition forced Carle to retire from playing but the Tampa Bay Lightning followed through and took Carle with their seventh-round selection.
Denver honored Carle's scholarship and he served as an assistant coach while attending the school. He was appointed the team's head coach four seasons ago and remains, at 32, one of the youngest-ever coaches in Division I.
He is now a national champion, a remarkable accomplishment given the situation he faced 14 years ago.
Carle is the younger brother of Matt Carle, the former Hobey Baker winner who played 730 NHL games with four different NHL teams.