BigTen.org, September 26, 2016
Three-time Big Ten Champion Minnesota was tabbed the favorite in the 2016-17 Big Ten hockey preseason coaches? poll, the conference announced on Monday.
Minnesota completed the 2015-16 campaign with a conference record of 14-6-0-0 (20-17-0 overall) and reached the championship game of the 2016 Big Ten Tournament. Ohio State was selected second in the preseason poll, with defending Big Ten Tournament Champion Michigan capturing third, Penn State taking fourth, Wisconsin placing fifth and Michigan State rounding out the poll in sixth.
The coaches also selected a 13-member Preseason Watch list, including four unanimous selections in Minnesota?s Justin Kloos and Eric Schierhorn, Penn State?s Vince Pedrie and Wisconsin?s Luke Kunin.
All six schools were represented on the Preseason Watch List, led by Minnesota with four honorees.
The preseason poll and watch list can be found below.
2016-17 BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
1. Minnesota
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan
4. Penn State
5. Wisconsin
6. Michigan State
2016-17 BIG TEN PRESEASON WATCH LIST#
Alex Kile, F, Michigan
Mason Appleton, F, Michigan State
Jake Bischoff, D, Minnesota
Leon Bristedt, F, Minnesota
Justin Kloos, F, Minnesota*
Eric Schierhorn, G, Minnesota*
Josh Healey, D, Ohio State
Mason Jobst, F, Ohio State
Nick Schilkey, F, Ohio State
David Goodwin, F, Penn State
Vince Pedrie, D, Penn State*
Luke Kunin, F, Wisconsin*
Grant Besse, F, Wisconsin
* Unanimous selection
# Additional honoree due to tie