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Minnesota Duluth picked to win NCHC title

The Bulldogs, who've won the past two national championships, are seeking their first Penrose Cup as league regular-season titlists.

By Randy Johnson

September 18, 2019 at 9:24PM

Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandelin has led his team to the past two NCAA championships but is seeking his first NCHC regular-season title. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

(Anthony Souffle/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minnesota Duluth has won the past two NCAA men's hockey championships and returns a large chunk of its talent, so it's no surprise the Bulldogs are the preseason pick to win the NCHC regular-season title.

The Bulldogs received 23 of a possible 28 first-place votes for 218 points in the NCHC preseason media poll released Wednesday. Denver was picked second with two first-place votes and 178 points, followed by Western Michigan (three first-place votes, 156 points). North Dakota was picked fourth, followed by defending champion St. Cloud State, Colorado College, Nebraska Omaha and Miami (Ohio).

This is the third time in the NCHC's seven years that Minnesota Duluth was the preseason No. 1 pick, but the Bulldogs have yet to win the Penrose Cup as regular-season champions. They finished second last year.

UMD on Tuesday landed four players on the NCHC's preseason all-conference team.

NCHC preseason poll

1. Minnesota Duluth (23) 218

2. Denver (2) 178

3. Western Michigan (3) 156

4. North Dakota 143

5. St. Cloud State 138

6. Colorado College 81

7. Nebraska Omaha 53

8. Miami (Ohio) 41

Note: First-place votes in parentheses

about the writer

Randy Johnson

College football reporter

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Minnesota Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.