Ohio State sits atop the preseason women's hockey poll at No. 1, with Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota, and Northeastern rounding out a top five that reads like a who's who of college hockey royalty.
The Buckeyes inherit the throne having earned the respect of voters before a single puck drops, but the margin for error is razor-thin. Wisconsin at No. 2 and Penn State at No. 3 form a relentless chase pack, while Minnesota — a program that owns history like few others — sits fourth and dangerous. Northeastern carries the banner for the east at No. 5, proving the balance of power stretches coast to coast.
What the poll makes clear: there is no runaway favorite, only a cluster of giants separated by nuance and roster construction. Every weekend will double as a referendum on this ranking. The beauty of a preseason poll is that it's a promise — a blueprint for the chaos, upsets, and brilliance to come. The season starts now, and five teams already have a target on their backs.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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