The 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey tournament kicks off Thursday, Mar. 26, and 17 former Buccaneers will appear with their college programs. The final four teams of the tournament will compete in the Frozen Four in Las Vegas, Nev., from Apr. 9-11. Find the full tournament bracket and game information here. 

Former Buccaneers appear on nine different rosters for the tournament, and the University of North Dakota and Minnesota - Duluth each boast three alumni. San Jose Sharks prospect Joey Muldowney will compete in the tournament with UConn, where he has accumulated 28P (17G, 11A) in 33GP this season. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Luke Devlin looks to compete with Cornell University, where he has proven himself to be a reliable two-way center. 

Former Buccaneers goaltender Max Lundgren has had a standout season with Merrimack College, leading his team to the Hockey East championship for the first time in program history, taking the 2-1 victory with 49 saves in the championship match against UConn. Lundgren earned MVP honors of the Hockey East tournament with his incredible performance in the championship following a 24-save shutout in the semifinal matchup against UMass. 


Find the full list of Bucs alumni appearing in the NCAA tournament below:
 

University of Minnesota - Duluth

    Scout Truman (F, '20-'22)

    Hunter Anderson (F, '23)

    Ethan Dahlmeier (G, '23-'24)
 

Penn State University

    Braedon Ford (F, '22-24)
 

Michigan State University

    Tiernan Shoudy (F, '20-'22)

    Owen West (D, '22-'24)
 

University of Connecticut

    Joey Muldowney (F, '22-'23) (SJS)
 

Dartmouth College

    Andrew Clarke (F, '23-'25)
 

Minnesota State - Mankato

    Liam Watkins (F, '23-'24)
 

University of Denver

    Payton Nelson (F, '22-24)
 

Cornell University

    Luke Devlin (F, '21-'22) (PIT)

    Remington Keopple (G, '20-'22)
 

University of North Dakota 

    Jack Kernan (F, '23-'25)

    Anthony Menghini (F, '21-'22)

    Tyler Young (F, '20-'21)
 

Merrimack College

    Daniel Astapovich (F, '22-'23)

    Max Lundgren (G, '22-'23)

About the Buccaneers   
Founded in 1980, the Des Moines Buccaneers are a proud member of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's premier junior hockey league. The Bucs have a history of success in the USHL, including 4 Clark Cup Championships, 4 Anderson Cup Championships, and 54 alumni drafted to the National Hockey League, including Stanley Cup Champions Kyle Okposo, Alex Chiasson, Trevor Lewis, Davis Drewiske, and Erik Cole. The organization is committed to developing young players on and off the ice, preparing them for a future in collegiate and professional careers. Known for their passionate fan base, the Bucs play their home games at The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, a multi-sport complex in West Des Moines, Iowa.   
 
To learn more, visit www.bucshockey.com or follow the Bucs on social media: @bucshockey on X and Instagram, @desmoinesbuccaneers on TikTok, and Des Moines Buccaneers on Facebook. For more information about ticket packages, including season and group outings, please contact (515) 278-2827.