The University of Minnesota may be the two-time defending Big Ten champions, but it was the University of Michigan that the six Big Ten hockey coaches picked atop their preseason poll.
Despite losing second-team All-American Dylan Larkin to the Detroit Red Wings, Michigan returns JT Compher (Colorado Avalanche) and Zach Werenski (San Jose Sharks) who were unanimous selections on the Preseason Players to Watch List, and adds freshman Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets) to that list as well.
Minnesota lost Mike Reilly to the Minnesota Wild organization after last year, but returns two on the Preseason Players to Watch List: unanimous selection Hudson Fasching (Buffalo Sabres) and Justin Kloos — the team’s top two goals scorers from last years.
Third in the poll is Michigan State, which returns Jake Hildebrand, who is on the Preseason Players to Watch List for the third straight season. Hildebrand was the 2015 Big Ten Player and Goaltender of the Year. Hildebrand also the lone Big Ten representative on the initial watch list for the 2016 Mike Richter Award, given annually to the top goalie in Division I. The Spartans could challenge for the crown if it can find some goal scoring from watch list member Mackenzie MacEachern (St. Louis Blues).
Penn State, in its fourth year of varsity-level hockey, comes in fourth in the poll. Off the ice, the Nittany Lions have one of the more intimidating atmospheres in the Big Ten. On the ice, team features watch-list players David Goodwin and Eric Scheid.
Ohio State is picked fifth in the conference, with watch-list forwards Anthony Greco and Nick Schilkey. Wisconsin is picked sixth in the poll, paced by watch-list forward Grant Besse.
Opening Weekend Matchups
All but Michigan open their 2015-16 hockey seasons on the weekend of Oct. 9.
- Michigan State plays in Portland, Maine, at the Ice Breaker Tournament against Maine (Oct. 9) and Lake Superior State (Oct. 10).
- Minnesota hosts Vermont on Oct. 10.
- Ohio State has a home-and-home weekend with Bowling Green. The Buckeyes are home on Oct. 9.
- Penn State travels to Buffalo to take on Canisus on Oct. 10.
- Wisconsin opens with two home games against Northern Michigan on Oct. 9 and 10.
Follow Lonny on Twitter @lonny_goldsmith and you can always reach him at Lonny.Goldsmith@prohockeynews.com
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