The Gophers will open the season ranked No. 1 in college hockey preseason polls. Last year's national runner-up received 36 first-place votes to top USCHO's preseason poll for the first time since 2003. They're also No. 1 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.
North Dakota, Providence, Boston College and defending national champion Union round out USCHO's top five spots.
St. Cloud State (No. 7) and Minnesota State (No. 13) are ranked among the Top 15, with Minnesota Duluth receiving votes.
Minnesota State was named the WCHA preseason favorite by coaches and media on Monday. Bemidji State was selected to finish eighth in the conference. St. Cloud State was picked to finish third in the NCHC, last week, and Minnesota Duluth fifth.
The Gophers return most of their scoring from last season and one of the nation's best goaltenders in Adam Wilcox. They were also selected to win the Big Ten.
The No. 1 Gophers will be on display in Saturday's home exhibition against Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. The regular season opens Oct. 10 against Minnesota Duluth at the Ice Breaker Tournament in South Bend, Ind.
Michigan (No. 8) and Wisconsin (No. 10) also represent the Big Ten in the preseason polls. Ohio State and Michigan State received votes.
On sale now
