Denver goaltender Johnny Hicks named Frozen Four MOP

Denver goaltender Johnny Hicks named Frozen Four MOP originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Goaltender Johnny Hicks shined throughout the weekend in Las Vegas, as the Denver Pioneers claimed their second National Championship in three seasons. It also marked the Pioneers' third title in the last five years.

Denver defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 2-1 on April 11's 2026 Frozen Four final at T-Mobile Arena and home of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights. The win gave the Pioneers their 11th national title overall and denied the Badgers their first championship since 2006 — also preventing Wisconsin from bringing home the double title to Madison, Wis. after their women's team won their own National Championship in March. Hicks, who is only a freshman, was named Most Outstanding Player after posting 29 saves following his 49-save performance in the eventual 4-3 double overtime win against Michigan in the Frozen Four semifinals.

The undrafted goaltender (who stands at 5'10", weighing just 157 pounds) finished the season 16-0-1 and took over the starting job in Jan.; Hicks only let in one goal from Buffalo Sabres' prospect Vasily Zelenov and would then go on to record 24 consecutive saves in the title game.

He was named MOP after also having received that same accolade in Denver's conference and regional tournaments.

"Johnny Hicks is unbelievable," Denver captain Kent Anderson said to the media postgame. "He's undefeated. We couldn't have done any of this without him."

Johnny Hicks, Denver Pioneers win 2026 National Championship

Minnesota Wild prospect Rieger Lorenz evened the game 1-1 at the 7:31 mark of the third period, after Wisconsin scored in the opening frame. Denver's Kyle Chyzowski would go on to score the game-winner, assisted by alternate captain Boston Buckberger and Garrett Brown

Pioneers' Head Coach David Carle said his netminder and team found a way to win when it mattered most.

"Unbelievable game. Certainly we bent but didn't break," Carle said. "Johnny kept us within striking range ... We found a way again. Johnny kept us within range, as we have found a way in other games. These guys, we saved our best period for last."

The National Championship for Denver comes after they fell in the national semifinal last season. This now marks the Pioneers fourth title in the past 10 years (2017, 2022, 2024 and 2026)— securing them as one of the greatest hockey dynasties in NCAA history.

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