The Wolverines sit at No. 1 in the preseason poll, edging out the Fighting Hawks, Spartans, and Broncos — all four teams enter the year at 0-0 with no prior ranking, making this a clean slate projection from the voters.
Michigan's placement at the top is no accident. The Wolverines have long been a powerhouse in college hockey, and the voters clearly expect them to set the tone early. North Dakota's Fighting Hawks at No. 2 give the poll a national flavor, while Michigan State's Spartans at No. 3 reinforce the Big Ten's early-season muscle.
The real sleeper? Western Michigan. The Broncos at No. 4 are the team nobody is talking about but everyone should be watching. All four programs start from zero — no wins, no losses, no resume — which means every shift in October matters. The poll is a snapshot of expectations; the standings will be written on the ice.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
More from the newsroom