It’s not a surprise, considering last season. Coming off a two-win campaign, UAH was picked by the WCHA media and coaches to finish in last place again this season.
For us, it doesn’t really matter. To paraphrase Mystery Science Theater 3000, “It’s just a poll. We should really just relax.” Right now our focus is building the program and getting better, and hopefully surprising some folks along the way.
Meanwhile, Minnesota State is the odds-on favorite to take the MacNaughton Trophy as the regular season champions. Last year’s winner, Ferris State, is second in both polls, and it should be another interesting race between these budding rivals. Michigan Tech and Bowling Green are expected to follow close behind.
Here’s the full release by the WCHA. Geof and I voted in the media poll, and we will provide our rationale in our WCHA preview coming later this week. The regular season starts for three teams this Saturday, with Michigan Tech visiting Lake Superior State to kick off conference play and Ferris State hosting Michigan.
2014-15 Mankato Free Press WCHA Men’s Hockey Preseason Coaches’ Poll:
1. Minnesota State (9 1st place votes), 81 points
2. Ferris State (1), 67
3. Michigan Tech, 64
4. Bowling Green, 57
5. Alaska, 44
6. Northern Michigan, 40
7. Alaska Anchorage, 38
8. Bemidji State, 33
9. Lake Superior State, 17
10. Alabama Huntsville, 9
Preseason WCHA Player of the Year: C.J. Motte, Sr., G, Ferris State
Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year: C.J. Franklin, F, Minnesota State and Brad McClure, F, Minnesota State (4 votes each)
Preseason All-WCHA Team:
Forwards: Tyler Morley, Jr., Alaska; Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., Minnesota State; Matt Leitner, Sr., Minnesota State
Defensemen: Colton Parayko, Jr., Alaska; Zach Palmquist, Sr., Minnesota State
Goaltender: C.J. Motte, Sr., Ferris State
2014-15 Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Men’s Hockey Preseason Media Poll:
1. Minnesota State (23 1st place votes), 256 points
2. Ferris State (4), 226
3. Bowling Green, 180
4. Michigan Tech, 178
5. Alaska, 163
6. Alaska Anchorage, 128
7. Northern Michigan, 112
8. Bemidji State, 101
9. Lake Superior State, 60
10. Alabama Huntsville, 26
Preseason WCHA Player of the Year: Matt Leitner, Sr., F, Minnesota State
Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year: Mark Friedman, D, Bowling Green
Preseason All-WCHA Team:
Forwards: Tyler Morley, Jr., Alaska; Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., Minnesota State; Matt Leitner, Sr., Minnesota State
Defensemen: Colton Parayko, Jr., Alaska; Shane Hanna, So., Michigan Tech
Goaltender: C.J. Motte, Sr., Ferris State
UAH’s Max McHugh received a vote for Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year, and Joseph Kestner got a vote for the Preseason All-WCHA Team.