College Hockey Rankings
Preseason Rankings from those who have released their polls.
The College Hockey News Preseason Top 10
1. Massachusetts-Lowell (28-11-2/16-9-2 Hockey East)
"Connor Hellebucyk emerged as a top-notch starter in his first season, though a sophomore slump could be mitigated by the man he beat out for the job, senior Doug Carr. Defensivee leader Chad Ruhwedel and team captain Riley Wetmore are gone, but a talented group are ready to pick up the slack."2. Miami (25-12-5/17-7-4-4 CCHA)
"A strong freshman class was a catalyst for the RedHawks last season, and as sophomores, they're poised for bigger and better. Ryan McKay and Jay Williams pushed each other in the crease, and there's no indication their second campaign together will be any different."3. Wisconsin (22-12-7/13-8-7 WCHA)
"Adding to the offensive depth is the senior trio of Mark Zengerle, Michael Mersch and Tyler Barnes, proven scorers who will pile up the points. Junior defenseman Jake McCabe showed some offensive flair, and senior Frankie Simonelli will be a stabilizing force in front of junior netminder Joel Rumpel."4. Boston College (22-12-4/15-9-3 Hockey East)
"Up front, Chris Calnan and Ryan Fitzgerald will contribute to an offense that already includes a Hobey hopeful in junior Johnny Gaudreau, as well as big, menacing seniors Kevin Hayes and Bill Arnold. Defensively, Ian McCoshen and Steve Santini will challenge to add to an already deep defensive crew that features sophomores Michael Matheson and Teddy Doherty, and senior Isaac MacLeod."5. North Dakota (22-13-7/14-7-7 WCHA)
"Defensemen Paul LaDue, Keaton Thompson and Gage Ausmus will immediately jockey for playing time with a set of blue line regulars that includes senior Dillon Simpson, junior Nick Mattson and sophomore Jordan Schmaltz. Offensively, junior Mark MacMillan and redshirt sophomore Rocco Grimaldi will set the tone for first-year skaters like Wade Murphy, Adam Tambellini and Luke Johnson, while Drake Caggiula will take a big step forward in his second season."6. Minnesota (26-9-5/16-7-5 WCHA)
"Despite the loss of big-name players like Erik Haula, Mark Alt, Nate Schmidt, Nick Bjugstad and Zach Budish, consider the Gophers a strong contender. They boast an incredibly deep, albeit inexperienced, back end led by sophomores Brady Skjei and Mike Reilly, while freshman Jake Bischoff will challenge for time immediately as a capable offensive quarterback."7. Notre Dame (25-13-3/17-18-3-2 CCHA)
"Senior T.J. Tynan has developed into a top-notch playmaker who can also display a deft scoring touch. Classmates Bryan Rust and Jeff Costello stepped up their game as juniors and will be counted upon to show sophomores Mario Lucia, Thomas DiPauli and Steven Fogarty to do the same."8. Michigan (18-19-3/10-15-3-3 CCHA)
"Steve Racine's found a high-level of consistency down the stretch, and will be continue his maturation as a sophomore. It will help that senior Mac Bennett returns to lead a young, deep set of blueliners that should see a bigger contribution from junior Brennan Serville. Freshmen defensemen Mike Downing and Nolan De Jong are big, developing talents that could challenge for minutes immediately."9. Providence (17-14-7/13-8-6 Hockey East)
"Jon Gillies was plainly dominant in net as a freshman, while seniors Kevin Hart and Steven Shamanski as sophomore John Gilmour will lead a young, hungry set of defensemen. Up front, junior Ross Mauermann and senior Derek Army will provide steady offense, while Mark Jankowski and Nick Saracino will look to break out after solid first seasons."10. Minnesota State (24-13-3/16-11-1 WCHA)
"The loss of senior and leading goal-scorer Eriah Hayes must be addressed, but a gifted group of forwards is primed to take advantage. Sophomore goaltender Stephon Williams emerged as one of the nation's best a year ago behind a team that remains mostly unchanged."
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USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine College Hockey Poll
"About the poll: The USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey."
Rank
|
Team
|
Votes (1st)
|
1
|
UMass Lowell
|
484 (20)
|
2
|
Miami
|
444 (9)
|
3
|
Wisconsin
|
364 (1)
|
4
|
Boston College
|
359
|
5
|
Minnesota
|
347
|
6
|
North Dakota
|
300
|
7
|
Notre Dame
|
285
|
8
|
Yale
|
269 (4)
|
9
|
St. Cloud State
|
230
|
10
|
Michigan
|
167
|
11
|
Quinnipiac
|
135
|
12
|
Union
|
124
|
13
|
New Hampshire
|
116
|
14
|
Minnesota State
|
110
|
15
|
Providence
|
103
|
Others Receiving Votes: Rensselaer, 80; Denver, 74; Cornell, 32; Western Michigan, 28; Niagara, 12; Merrimack, 8; Boston University, 4; Ferris State, 4; Michigan Tech, 1.
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