Wolverines top B1G preseason poll; Spartans third

September 28, 2015September 28, 2015 MiHockey Staff

By @MichaelCaples –

The Big Ten announced their preseason poll today, and the Wolverines hold the top spot.

Checking in at No. 2 is Minnesota; the Golden Gophers topped Michigan in the B1G Tournament title game last spring at Joe Louis Arena.

Last year, the Wolverines finished 12-8-0-0 in conference play, and 22-15-0 overall.

Michigan State sits at No. 3, while Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin round out the six-team field.

Stay tuned for more throughout the week as the B1G prepares for the 2015-16 season.

.@umichhockey tops 2015-16 #B1GHockey preseason poll followed by @GopherHockey, @MSU_Hockey, @PennStateMHKY, @OhioState_MHKY, @BadgerMHockey

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) September 28, 2015

Additionally, the coaches selected a 12-man list of players to watch, including four unanimous choices.

Michigan captain JT Compher, defenseman and Grosse Pointe native Zach Werenski and Michigan State senior goaltender Jake Hildebrand – 2015 Big Ten Player and Goaltender of the Year – were all unanimous picks of the coaches as top players to watch. Minnesota’s Hudson Fasching was the fourth unanimous selection.

Wolverines freshman forward Kyle Connor (Shelby Township), Michigan State junior forward Mackenzie MacEachern (Troy) and Ohio State junior forward and alternate captain Nick Schilkey (Marysville) were also named to the list.