With 20 letterwinners returning from a team that made it to the Frozen Four last season, North Dakota has been picked to finish first in the NCHC by league media members.
North Dakota finished second in the league standings last season behind St. Cloud State, which was picked for third this season behind Miami in polling of 25 media members who cover the league.
| Team (first-place votes) | Points |
|---|---|
| 1. North Dakota (12) | 181 |
| 2. Miami (9) | 167 |
| 3. St. Cloud State (4) | 151 |
| 4. Denver | 117 |
| 5. Minnesota-Duluth | 112 |
| 6. Nebraska-Omaha | 73 |
| 7. Western Michigan | 67 |
| 8. Colorado College | 32 |
Miami was last year’s pick to finish first, but the RedHawks instead finished in last place in the league’s inaugural season.
Media members also selected six players for a preseason all-conference team, with North Dakota goalie Zane McIntyre the only unanimous selection.
