Tech Third in WCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll, Fourth in Media Poll
EDINA, Minn. – The WCHA released its two preseason polls on Monday (Sept. 29). Michigan Tech was selected third in the Mankato Free Press Coaches' Poll and fourth in the Bemidji Pioneer Media Poll. Minnesota State, the defending Broadmoor Trophy champion, was tabbed as the favorite to win the MacNaughton Cup in both polls.
Preseason all-conference teams were also announced. Shane Hanna was named to the Preseason All-WCHA Teams as a defenseman in the media poll. David Johnstone, Tanner Kero, Alex Petan, and Blake Pietila all received votes from the forward position.
Matt Lietner from MSU was the media's pick for WCHA Player of the Year, while CJ Motte from Ferris State earned the honor from the coaches. The media tabbed Mark Friedman as the WCHA Rookie of the Year, while the coaches picked CJ Franklin and Brad McClure, both from Minnesota State.
Ferris State, which captured the league's 2013-14 regular season title before falling to MSU in the Final Five championship, was picked to finish second in both polls.
The two polls flip-flopped on third and fourth place finishers, with WCHA coaches placing Michigan Tech in the higher slot and the media tabbing Bowling Green third. Alaska was picked fifth in both ledgers; but, while coaches slotted Alaska Anchorage sixth and Northern Michigan seventh, media reversed that order. Bemidji State, Lake Superior State and Alabama Huntsville rounded out both polls.
The Huskies begin the season this weekend at Lake Superior State. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. on Saturday night and 5:07 p.m. Sunday from Taffy Abel Ice Arena.
All the preseason voting results are listed below:
2014-15 Mankato Free Press WCHA Coaches' Poll
| Rank | Team (First Place) | Pts. |
| 1. | Minnesota State (9) | 81 |
| 2. | Ferris State (1) | 67 |
| 3. | Michigan Tech | 64 |
| 4. | Bowling Green State | 57 |
| 5. | Alaska | 44 |
| 6. | Northern Michigan | 40 |
| 7. | Alaska Anchorage | 38 |
| 8. | Bemidji State | 33 |
| 9. | Lake Superior State | 17 |
| 10. | Alabama Huntsville | 9 |
Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
- C.J. Motte, Sr., G, Ferris State (4 votes)
Received votes: Matt Leitner, Sr., F, Minnesota State (3); Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., F, Minnesota State (1); Scott Allen, Sr., F, Alaska Anchorage (1), Colton Parayko, Jr. D, Alaska (1)
Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
- C.J. Franklin, F, Minnesota State (4 votes)
- Brad McClure, F, Minnesota State (4 votes)
Received votes: Brett Beauvais, D, Bemidji State (1), Oliver Mantha, G, Alaska Anchorage (1)
Preseason All-WCHA Team
Forwards
- Matt Leitner, Sr., Minnesota State
- Tyler Morley, Jr., Alaska
- Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., Minnesota State
Defensemen
- Colton Parayko, Jr., Alaska
- Zach Palmquist, Sr., Minnesota State
Goaltender
- C.J. Motte, Sr., Ferris State
Received votes: Forwards—Scott Allen, Sr., Alaska Anchorage; Blake Tatchell, Jr., Alaska Anchorage; Justin Buzzeo, Sr., Ferris State; David Johnstone, Sr., Michigan Tech; Tanner Kero, Sr., Michigan Tech; Alex Petan, Jr., Michigan Tech; Blake Pietila, Sr., Michigan Tech. Defensemen—Austin Coldwell, Sr., Alaska Anchorage; Matt Prapavessis, Sr., Bemidji State; Jason Binkley, Sr., Ferris State; Shane Hanna, So., Michigan Tech. Goaltenders—Cole Huggins, So., Minnesota State.
2014-15 Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Preseason Media Poll
| Rank | Team (First Place) | Pts. |
| 1. | Minnesota State (23) | 256 |
| 2. | Ferris State (4) | 226 |
| 3. | Bowling Green State | 180 |
| 4. | Michigan Tech | 178 |
| 5. | Alaska | 163 |
| 6. | Alaska Anchorage | 128 |
| 7. | Northern Michigan | 112 |
| 8. | Bemidji State | 101 |
| 9. | Lake Superior State | 60 |
| 10. | Alabama Huntsville | 26 |
Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
- Matt Leitner, Sr., F, Minnesota State
Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
- Mark Friedman, D, Bowling Green
Preseason All-WCHA Team
Forwards
- Tyler Morley, Jr., Alaska
- Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., Minnesota State
- Matt Leitner, Sr., Minnesota State
Defensemen
- Colton Parayko, Jr., Alaska
- Shane Hanna, So., Michigan Tech
Goaltender
- C.J. Motte, Sr., Ferris State
Others receiving votes: Forwards—Josh Kestner, Fr., Alabama-Huntsville; Scott Allen, Sr., Alaska-Anchorage; Blake Tatchell, Jr., Alaska Anchorage; Cory Ward, Jr., Bemidji State; Adam Berkle, Sr., Bowling Green; Dan DeSalvo, Sr., Bowling Green; Justin Buzzeo, Sr., Ferris State; Alex Globke, So., Lake Superior State; Tanner Kero, Sr., Michigan Tech; Alex Petan, Jr., Michigan Tech; Blake Pietila, Sr., Michigan Tech; John Siemer, So., Northern Michigan. Defensemen—Matt Prapavessis, Sr., Bemidji State; Jason Binkley, Sr., Ferris State; Zach Palmquist, Sr., Minnesota State; Mitch Jones, Sr., Northern Michigan. Goaltenders—Tommy Burke, Jr., Bowling Green; Cole Huggins, So., Minnesota State; Mathias Dahlstrom, R-Fr., Northern Michigan.