Though edged out a day earlier by North Dakota in the preseason United States College Hockey Online Division I preseason poll, Minnesota Duluth was picked to finish third, ahead of North Dakota, in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association preseason coaches poll released Tuesday.
The Bulldogs, who finished fourth in the WCHA in 2013-14, edged out eighth-ranked North Dakota by a point for third. UMD tied for 10th in the debut national rankings.
Minnesota was picked to win the WCHA by six of the league’s eight coaches while Wisconsin garnered two first-place votes to finish second. The Gophers and Badgers, who were both in last season’s Frozen Four, were picked 1-2 in the preseason USCHO poll.
Ohio State, Minnesota State-Mankato, Bemidji State and St. Cloud State rounded out the WCHA poll.
Minnesota junior forward Hannah Brandt was a unanimous pick as WCHA Preseason Player of the Year after being named the league’s player of the year last season.
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Wisconsin forward Annie Pankowski earned six votes to beat out fellow teammate Baylee Wellhausen and Minnesota forward Cara Piazza for WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year honors.
UMD opens the regular season Friday and Saturday at Connecticut before hosting Wisconsin on Oct. 3-4 at Amsoil Arena.
