Big Ten announces preseason poll, ‘players to watch’ list

By Alyssa Girardi –

Big Ten Hockey has released the coaches’ pick for preseason favorites, and Wisconsin came in at the top of the list. The Badgers finished last season 22-13-7 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, but fell to eventual Frozen Four competitor, UMass-Lowell.

Second on the poll is Minnesota, followed by Michigan. Michigan State and Ohio State tied for fourth, and Penn State rounded out the poll in sixth.

Thirteen players were chosen for the Preseason Players to Watch list, including Michigan senior defenseman Mac Bennett and junior forward Alex Guptill, and Michigan State sophomore goaltender Jake Hildebrand and junior forward Matt Berry.

Minnesota junior forward Kyle Rau was the only unanimous, and was one of three Gophers to be voted to the list.

Preseason poll:

1. Wisconsin

2. Minnesota

3. Michigan

T4. Michigan State

T4. Ohio State

6. Penn State

Preseason players to watch:

Mac Bennett, D, Michigan

Alex Guptill, F, Michigan

Matt Berry, F, Michigan State

Jake Hildebrand, G, Michigan State

Kyle Rau, F, Minnesota

Mike Reilly, D, Minnesota

Adam Wilcox, G, Minnesota

Ryan Dzingel, F, Ohio State

Max McCormick, F, Ohio State

Nic Kerdiles, F, Wisconsin

Jake McCabe, D, Wisconsin

Michael Mersch, F, Wisconsin

Mark Zengerle, F, Wisconsin