Ncaa Men's Hockey Preseason Rankings
As the summer heat fades away and fall starts to set in, hockey fans all across the country start to get excited about the upcoming NCAA Men's Hockey season. With the start of the season just around the corner, it's time to take a look at the preseason rankings and see who's on top. In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at the top teams in the preseason rankings, what their strengths are, and what challenges they may face throughout the season.
1. University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks
The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks come in at the number one spot in the preseason rankings. This is no surprise, as they were the national champions just a few years ago in 2016. One of the team's biggest strengths is their depth; they have a lot of talented players who can play different positions and contribute in a variety of ways. Another strength for the Fighting Hawks is their goaltending; they have two strong goalies who can step in and play at any time.
One challenge for the Fighting Hawks this season will be their schedule. They have a tough start to the season, playing Minnesota Duluth and Wisconsin in back-to-back series. Additionally, they have to navigate a very competitive conference, with teams like Denver and Minnesota Duluth posing serious threats.
2. Boston College Eagles
The Boston College Eagles come in at the number two spot in the preseason rankings. They have a strong offense, with a lot of returning players who contributed heavily last season. They also have a strong defense, anchored by junior defenseman Marshall Warren.
One challenge for the Eagles this season will be their depth; they have a lot of young players who will need to step up if they want to have a successful season. Additionally, they have a tough schedule, with games against strong opponents like Wisconsin and Notre Dame.
3. University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers come in at the number three spot in the preseason rankings. They have a very experienced team, with a lot of returning players who have played together for several seasons. This continuity should help them on the ice this season. Additionally, they have a strong defense, anchored by senior defenseman Jackson LaCombe.
One challenge for the Golden Gophers this season will be their offense. They lost a lot of key players last season, and some of their returning players will need to step up and fill those roles. Additionally, they have a tough schedule, with games against strong opponents like North Dakota and Minnesota State.
4. St. Cloud State Huskies
The St. Cloud State Huskies come in at the number four spot in the preseason rankings. They have a lot of returning players, including many who were key contributors last season. Additionally, they have a very strong defense, with a lot of talented defensemen who can move the puck well.
One challenge for the Huskies this season will be their goaltending. They lost their starting goalie from last season, and it remains to be seen who will step up and fill that role. Additionally, they have a tough schedule, with games against strong opponents like North Dakota and Minnesota State.
5. University of Massachusetts Minutemen
The University of Massachusetts Minutemen come in at the number five spot in the preseason rankings. They have a very strong offense, with a lot of returning players who were key contributors last season. Additionally, they have a very talented freshman class, which should help them on the ice this season.
One challenge for the Minutemen this season will be their defense. They lost a lot of key players from last season, and their defense is relatively young and inexperienced. Additionally, they have a tough schedule, with games against strong opponents like Boston University and Boston College.
Conclusion
The NCAA Men's Hockey season is right around the corner, and the preseason rankings give us a good idea of which teams to watch out for. While the top five teams all have their strengths, they also face their fair share of challenges. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see which teams are able to overcome those challenges and emerge as strong contenders for the national championship.
