By a single point, Minnesota was picked by the seven WCHA head coaches to win the conference. The Gophers ended up with 4 first-place votes and 34 points to two-time defending WCHA champion Wisconsin's 3 first-place votes and 33.
Coaches were unable to pick their own team.
Minnesota Duluth, which made the eight team NCAA Tournament last season along with Minnesota and Wisconsin, tied for third with Ohio State. Each had 23 points. Bemidji State, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State round out the preseason raknings.
In addition to the Gophers picked to win the conference, forward Grace Zumwinkle was named the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year. Zumwinkle, the 2017 Minnesota Ms. Hockey, received four of the seven votes. She joins a list of Minnesota players recently given the honor that includes Sarah Potomak, Dani Cameranesi and Hannah Brandt.
Ohio State goaltender Kassidy Sauve (who along with teammate Jincy Dunne could have been WCHA Comeback Player of the Year if that award exists given how much the two returning from injury helped first-year head coach Nadine Muzerall) was named the WCHA Preseason Player of the Year.
2017-18 WCHA Preseason Poll
1. Minnesota, 34 (4)2. Wisconsin, 33 (3)
T-3. Minnesota Duluth, 23
T-3. Ohio State, 23
5. Bemidji State, 14
6. St. Cloud State, 11
7. Minnesota State, 9
(Methodology: Points are awarded with 6 points going to first place, 5 points for 2nd, and all the way down to 1 point for 7th. Coaches could not vote for their own team.)
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