Overview

• The USCHO.com preseason poll lists Western Michigan first with 29 first-place votes and 921 points, followed by Boston University, Michigan State, Denver and Penn State.
• Maine debuts at No. 7, with Boston College, Minnesota, Providence and UConn rounding out the USCHO top ten.
• College Hockey News also ranks Western Michigan No. 1 in its preseason top 10.
• Following multiple departures to graduation and NHL contracts, the Broncos added 11 newcomers — five transfers and six freshmen — including NHL draft picks William Whitelaw, Theo Wahlberg and Zaccharya Wisdom.
• Western Michigan hosts a USNTDP exhibition on Oct. 4 and opens the regular season at home vs. Ferris State on Oct. 9, beginning a schedule featuring more than 10 ranked opponents.