The WCHA coaches and Media are set to release their pre-season polls one week from today so I thought I would give mine a shot in advance of the official polls being released. A few media members have already released their ballots, including one ROY selection that I literally laughed out loud at. But I'll let you figure that one out.I believe the coaches and media both fill out their pre-season selections the same way. Ranking the teams 1-12, and picking a pre-season Player of the Year and pre-season Rookie of the year. I'll do the same.
1.) North Dakota
2.) St. Cloud State
3.) Minnesota-Duluth
4.) Nebraska-Omaha
5.) Minnesota
6. ) Wisconsin
7. ) Denver
8. ) Bemidji
9. ) Colorado College
10.) Alaska Anchorage
11.) Minnesota State
12. ) Michigan Tech
Player of the year: Jacob Cepis-Minnesota
I'm assuming most of you are going to look at this as a shocking selection. All you need to do is look at the facts to see why this is a great possibility. Cepis was hands down Minnesota's best player last season in the second half (missed the first half -- transfer rules) . He averaged almost a point per game in the second half playing on a garbage team with little help. I expect Minnesota to be better this season and the infusion of some talented freshman forwards should help.
Rookie of the year: Jaden Schwartz-Colorado College
Sorry, had to go chalk on this one. Schwartz is a beast and is going to get plenty of opportunities to show his abilities for CC. He's the best player coming into the league this year. People can certainly make cases for Zengerle and Barnes from UW, Bjugstad and Haula from Minnesota, Jason Zucker or Beau Bennett from DU, but this is Schwart's award to lose.
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