The preseason USCHO Division 1 Men’s poll was released to the college hockey community on Monday, and plenty of Michigan schools appear on the list.
Of the 20 ranked programs, four call Michigan home, as Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech and Western Michigan all appear in the first 12 spots on the top college hockey poll in the country.
The Wolverines check in at No. 5 after finishing last season at No. 3 during their run to the Frozen Four. Michigan received one first-place vote, and they are firmly in a top-five group of Boston University (No. 1), Quinnipiac (No. 2), Minnesota (No. 3) and Denver (No. 4).
Michigan State continues its climb back to national prominence, as the Spartans rank No. 9 in the preseason poll. They finished No. 19 in the concluding poll for 2022-23, and the USCHO voters appear to like the additions MSU made in the offseason.
Michigan Tech is one spot behind the Spartans at No. 10. Last year, the Huskies finished No. 13 in the national poll, as they made their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Will a three-peat be in store this season? MTU gets an early test to get an idea, as they start the season on the road at No. 17 Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 7.
Western Michigan rounds out the Michigan representation on the national poll, as the Broncos check in at No. 12 overall. That’s just one spot off from their No. 11 finish last season, and the WMU program has reloaded in preparation for another daunting NCHC schedule. Like the Huskies, the Broncos are aiming for a third straight trip to the NCAA postseason.
