One media member who covers a WCHA team asked me to vote on a preseason poll and pick a preseason all-conference team.
Yikes. My mind has been off college hockey for almost four months. Who is the WCHA? Oh, that's right. Nothing changes this season. It's 2013-14 when everything blows up.
I checked last year's all-conference teams, the team's nominations for all-WCHA honors and the final scoring and goaltending statistics. Then I checked rosters to make sure who is back. There are always early departures.
Here are my prognostications -- is that a word, spell check says it is -- based on a few facts and a hundred hunches:
Preseason WCHA poll
1. Colorado College ... Key players back: F Jaden and Rylan Schwartz, D Gabe Guentzel, G Joe Howe; key losses: F Tyler Johnson, F Steve Steve Schultz
2. Denver ... Key players back: F Jason Zucker, F Drew and Nick Shore, F Beau Bennett, D Dave Makowski; G Sam Brittain (for second half of season); key losses: F Anthony Maiani, D Matt Donovan
3. North Dakota ... Key players back: F Danny Kristo, D Ben Blood, G Aaron Dell, D Andrew MacWilliam; key losses: F Matt Frattin, D Chay Genoway, F Jason Gregoire, F Brad Malone, F Evan Trupp.
4. Gophers ... Key players back: G Kent Patterson, F Nick Bjugstad, D Mark Alt, F Erik Haula; key losses: F Jacob Cepis, F Jay Barriball, D Aaron Ness, F Mike Hoeffel, D Cade Fairchild
5. UMD .... Key players back: F Jack Connolly, F J.T. Brown, G Ken Reiter; key losses: F Mike Connolly, F Justin Fontaine, D Justin Faulk
6. Nebraska Omaha ... Key players back: F Terry Broadhurst, F Alex Hudson, G John Faulkner, F Matt White; key losses: F Matt Ambroz, F Joey Martin, D Eric Olimb
7. Alaska Anchorage ... Key players back: F Matt Bailey, F Jordan Kwas, G Rob Gunderson, G Chris Kamal; key loss: F Tommy Grant.
8. Bemidji State ... Key players back: D Brad Hunt, G Dan Bakala, F Jordan George; key loss: F Matt Read.
9. St. Cloud State ... Key players back: F Drew LeBlanc, F Dave Eddy, G Mike Lee; key loss: F Garrett Roe.
10. Wisconsin ... Key players back: D Justin Schultz, F Mark Zengerle; key losses: F Craig Smith, D Jake Gardiner, G Scott Gudmandson
11. Michigan Tech ... Key players back: F Milos Gordic, F Ryan Furne, D Steve Seigo; key loss: D Deron Cousens
12. Minnesota State Mankato ... Key players back: F Mike Dorr, F Chase Grant, G Phil Cook; F Eriah Hayes; key losses: D Kurt Davis, D Ben Youds
Comments: Would like to rank Michigan Tech higher with new coach and a lot of talented sophomores back. But can't see who to drop below them. Wisconsin at No. 10 seems low. ... Was impressed with Bemidji State and Alaska Anchorage last season. The Gophers played those two teams in their last two series.
Are the Gophers too high at No. 4? Maybe. But the U has been an underachieving team and one of these seasons that has to end. ... If DU goalie Sam Brittain (knee) was healthy from the start of the season, the Pioneers would be the league favorite instead of second. Brittain had surgery on his left knee in June to repair ACL and meniscus damage.
First team
F Jack Connolly, UMD
F Jason Zucker, Denver
F Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College
D Justin Schultz, Wis.
D Ben Blood, North Dakota
G Kent Patterson, Gophers
Second team
F Drew Shore, Denver
F Nick Bjugstad, Gophers
F J.T. Brown, UMD
D Mark Alt, Gophers
D Brad Hunt, Bemidji St.
G Aaron Dell, North Dakota
WCHA Player of the Year: Jaden Schwartz
Rookie of the Year: Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota
WCHA NOTES
* Colorado College lost only four lettermen from a 2011 NCAA tournament team which routed Boston College in its first regional game. ... Denver has 10 future, present or former players who are ranked among the top 10 prospects by the NHL teams who drafted them. That's more than any other college team.
* Sioux Fan Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Englestad Arena. Fans of North Dakota hockey will be able to meet the men's and women's hockey teams and get autographs. This is the third year for this event. ... Three of Wisconsin's top players, forwards Craig Smith and Jordy Murray, and defenseman Jake Gardiner, all left college in the offseason.
* Alaska Anchorage opens its season on Sept. 30 with an exhibition game against NAIT -- short for Northern Alberta Institute of Technology -- in Wasilla, Alaska. ... One of Bemidji State's three tri-captains is junior forward Ben Kinne of St. Paul. He missed all of last season after suffered a stroke in July of 2010. He had 10 goals and 24 points as a sophomore.
* Three of Michigan Tech's top five scorers were either freshmen or sophomore. ... The UMD hockey team was honored before the Vikings' game against the Houston Texans on Sept. 1. UMD, of course, won the NCAA title last April. ... Minnesota State Mankato plays six of its first eight games on the road. ... Nebraska Omaha has two 30-point scorers back, Terry Broadhurst and Alex Hudson.
ANOTHER OPINION
Fighting Sioux 23 -- whoever he or she is -- also did a preseason WCHA poll in July. I found it after I did mine. That poll is here.