Mavs Picked Eighth in WCHA Media Poll
Sep 26, 2012 | Hockey
DULUTH, Minn. - The Omaha hockey team is picked to finish eighth in its final season in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, according to a poll of media members who cover the league. The poll was released on Wednesday by radio station 94X in Duluth.
Last season, the Mavericks were picked to finish fourth in both the media and the coaches poll. In 2010-11, their first season in the WCHA, they were chosen ninth by the media and eighth by the coaches but finished a surprising third.
Minnesota, the defending MacNaughton Cup winner as regular season champion, was a nearly unanimous choice to repeat, receiving 24 of 25 first-place votes. North Dakota received the other first-place vote and finished second in the poll followed by Denver.
Wisconsin was picked to finish fourth followed by Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State, Colorado College, Omaha, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State, Bemidji State and Alaska Anchorage.
As part of the poll, media members were asked to chose a pre-season player and rookie of the year and an All-WCHA team. Minnesota's Nick Bjugstad was chosen as the player of the year while North Dakota's Rocco Grimaldi was chosen as the rookie. Grimaldi is a repeat winner of the award. He was eligible this season because he had to redshirt last year due to injury.
The members of the preseason All-WCHA team include:
Forwards - Nick Bjugstad (Minnesota), Mark Zengerle (Wisconsin), Ben Hanowski (St. Cloud State)
Defense - Joey LaLeggia (Denver), Nick Jensen (St. Cloud State)
Goalie - Sam Brittain (Denver), Josh Thorimbert (Colorado College) (tie)
For the poll, teams were ranked based on an average number of points per vote (12 pts for first, 11 pts for second, etc.)
94X WCHA Preseason Media Poll
First-place votes in parentheses
Last season, the Mavericks were picked to finish fourth in both the media and the coaches poll. In 2010-11, their first season in the WCHA, they were chosen ninth by the media and eighth by the coaches but finished a surprising third.
Minnesota, the defending MacNaughton Cup winner as regular season champion, was a nearly unanimous choice to repeat, receiving 24 of 25 first-place votes. North Dakota received the other first-place vote and finished second in the poll followed by Denver.
Wisconsin was picked to finish fourth followed by Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State, Colorado College, Omaha, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State, Bemidji State and Alaska Anchorage.
As part of the poll, media members were asked to chose a pre-season player and rookie of the year and an All-WCHA team. Minnesota's Nick Bjugstad was chosen as the player of the year while North Dakota's Rocco Grimaldi was chosen as the rookie. Grimaldi is a repeat winner of the award. He was eligible this season because he had to redshirt last year due to injury.
The members of the preseason All-WCHA team include:
Forwards - Nick Bjugstad (Minnesota), Mark Zengerle (Wisconsin), Ben Hanowski (St. Cloud State)
Defense - Joey LaLeggia (Denver), Nick Jensen (St. Cloud State)
Goalie - Sam Brittain (Denver), Josh Thorimbert (Colorado College) (tie)
For the poll, teams were ranked based on an average number of points per vote (12 pts for first, 11 pts for second, etc.)
94X WCHA Preseason Media Poll
| Place | Team | Pts |
| 1. | Minnesota (24) | 11.92 |
| 2. | North Dakota (1) | 10.76 |
| 3. | Denver | 9.92 |
| 4. | Wisconsin | 7.80 |
| 5. | Minnesota Duluth | 6.88 |
| 6. | St. Cloud State | 6.84 |
| 7. | Colorado College | 6.08 |
| 8. | Omaha | 5.48 |
| 9. | Michigan Tech | 5.20 |
| 10. | Minnesota State | 3.60 |
| 11. | Bemidji State | 2.48 |
| 12. | Alaska Anchorage | 1.04 |
First-place votes in parentheses
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
