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2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

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  • 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

    The release of the preseason polls seems like an apropos time to start the season thread. Here's the results of the polls:

    2016-17 Mankato Free Press WCHA Men’s Hockey Preseason Coaches’ Poll

    Rk Team (1st place votes) Points
    1. Bowling Green (8) 89
    2. Michigan Tech (2) 79
    3. Minnesota State 71
    4. Ferris State 70
    5. Northern Michigan 54
    6. Bemidji State 48
    7. Lake Superior State 44
    8. Alaska Anchorage 29
    9. Alabama Huntsville 23
    10. Alaska 21
    Predicted order of finish. Based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.

    Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
    Gerald Mayhew, Sr. F, Ferris State (7 votes)

    Others receiving votes: Mark Friedman, Jr. D, Bowling Green (1); Brandon Hawkins, Jr. F, Bowling Green (1); Chris Nell, Jr. F, Bowling Green (1)

    Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
    Parker Tuomie, F, Minnesota State (4 votes)

    Others receiving votes: Cam Clarke, D, Ferris State (2); Colton Leiter, F, Alaska (1); Marc Michaelis, F, Minnesota State (1); Collin Peters, F, Northern Michigan (1); Angus Redmond, G, Michigan Tech (1)

    Preseason All-WCHA Team
    Forwards
    Gerald Mayhew, Sr., Ferris State; Dominik Shine, Sr., Northern Michigan; Brandon Hawkins, Jr., Bowling Green (tie); Corey Mackin, So., Ferris State (tie)
    Defensemen
    Mark Friedman, Jr., Bowling Green; Matt Roy, Jr., Michigan Tech
    Goaltender
    Chris Nell, Jr., Bowling Green

    Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically by position): Forwards—Gerry Fitzgerald, Jr., Bemidji State; C.J. Franklin, Jr., Minnesota State; Brendan Harms, Tyler Heinonen, Sr., Michigan Tech; Sr., BSU; Joel L'Esperance, Jr., Michigan Tech. Defensemen—Mark Auk, Jr., Michigan Tech; Daniel Brickley, So., Minnesota State; Shane Hanna, Sr., Michigan Tech; Sean Walker, Sr., Bowling Green. Goaltenders—Michael Bitzer, Jr., Bemidji State; Gordon Defiel, Jr., Lake Superior State; Cole Huggins, Sr., Minnesota State; Darren Smith, So., Ferris State.

    2016-17 Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Men’s Hockey Preseason Media Poll

    Rk Team (1st place votes) Points
    1. Bowling Green (15) 251
    2. Michigan Tech (6) 239
    3. Minnesota State (5) 236
    4. Ferris State (2) 218
    5. Northern Michigan 161
    6. Bemidji State 144
    7. Lake Superior State 106
    8. Alaska 68
    9. Alabama Huntsville 66
    10. Alaska Anchorage 50
    Predicted order of finish. Based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale.

    Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
    Gerald Mayhew, Sr., F, Ferris State

    Others receiving votes: Dominik Shine, Sr., F, Northern Michigan; Sean Walker, Sr., D, Bowling Green; Cameron Clarke, Fr., D, Ferris State; Mason Mitchell, So., F, Alaska Anchorage; Corey Mackin, So., F, Ferris State; Max McHugh, Jr., F, Alabama Huntsville; Chris Nell, Jr., G, Bowling Green; Cole Huggins, Sr., G, Minnesota State; Tyler Heinonen, Sr., F, Michigan Tech.

    Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
    Cameron Clarke, D, Ferris State

    Others receiving votes: Parker Tuomie, F, Minnesota State; Hampus Sjodahl, F, Bemidji State; Alec Rauhauser, D, Bowling Green; Frederic Letourneau, F, Bowling Green; Max Humitz, F, Lake Superior State; Brayden Gelsinger, F, Lake Superior State; Thomas Beretta, F, Michigan Tech; Mitch Reinke, D, Michigan Tech; Casey Linkenheld, F, Bowling Green; Adam Brady, F, Bemidji State; Connor James, D, Alabama Huntsville; Austin Beaulieu, F, Alabama Huntsville.

    Preseason All-WCHA Team
    Forwards
    Gerald Mayhew, Sr., Ferris State; Dominik Shine, Sr., Northern Michigan; Tyler Heinonen, Sr., Michigan Tech
    Defensemen
    Mark Friedman, Jr., Bowling Green; Matt Roy, Jr., Michigan Tech
    Goaltender
    Chris Nell, Jr., Bowling Green
    Co-Founder/Editor of BGSUHockey.com

  • #2
    Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

    Look's pretty accurate with 4/2 teams getting first place votes and the four teams that participated in last year's WCHA Final Five being the top four teams this year, by a pretty large margin in both polls.
    Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

    Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

      New thread -- does this mean we can talk about Brexit?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

        Originally posted by TalonsUpPuckDown View Post
        New thread -- does this mean we can talk about Brexit?
        We could maybe talk about the UP leaving the rest of Michigan?
        Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

        Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

          Here was my ballot:
          1 Bowling Green
          2 Minnesota State
          3 NMU
          4 Mich Tech
          5 Ferris
          6 Bemidji
          7 UAH
          8 LSSU
          9 Alaska
          10 UAA

          F Shine NMU
          F Hawkins BGSU
          F Mayhew Ferris
          D Hanna Tech
          D Friedman BGSU
          G Nell BGSU

          PLAYER: Nell BGSU

          In reality, BG should be on top, then probably have several teams. Who could be 2-5 and another group fighting for 4-7 and a few battling for that last home ice spot. A key injury or player loss to any team could have a huge impact on where they finish. It should be an interesting year.
          Last edited by davyd83; 09-20-2016, 03:23 PM.
          "The use of common sense and logic will not be tolerated and may result in fine and/or suspension."- Western Professional Hockey League By-laws. 1999-2000.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

            Here was my prediction:

            1 Michigan Tech
            2 Bowling Green
            3 Minnesota St
            4 Ferris St
            5 Northern Michigan
            6 LSSU
            7 Bemidji
            8 UAH
            9 UAF
            10 UAA


            F Shine (NMU)
            F Mayhew (FSU)
            F L'Esperance (MTU)
            D Roy (MTU)
            D Walker (BGSU)
            G Nell (BGSU)

            MVP: Shine (NMU)


            I went with Tech last year, and they didn't let me down (and by that, I mean they completely crushed my team's hopes), so I'm going with them again this year. It's a bit of a risky pick considering how uncertain their net will be trying to replace Philips, but I think the skaters have enough depth to overcome it. BG is definitely the best equipped to beat them, but it's all going to come down to whether or not the offense can pick it up. Nell and the blueliners can only do so much.

            I also think we're going to see a similar situation to previous years where we see clusters of teams all within a few points of each other. I'd say the groups this year are:

            Contending for McNaughton:
            MTU
            BGSU
            MSU
            FSU

            Middle of the road:
            NMU
            LSSU
            BSU

            Struggling for Playoffs:
            UAH
            UAF
            UAA
            BGSU Class of 2017

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

              Originally posted by Shirtless Guy View Post
              We could maybe talk about the UP leaving the rest of Michigan?
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9t0p7aNkBQ
              BGSU Class of 2017

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

                You know given the news releases the last few days, I disagree with Chris Dilks. I think the WCHA gets two in, maybe more.
                MTU: Three time NCAA champions.

                It never get's easier, you just go faster. -Greg Lemond

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

                  Originally posted by Critical Thinker View Post
                  Struggling for Playoffs:
                  UAH
                  UAF
                  UAA
                  Might have been quicker to just type "UA_" but then everyone would say "Well what about Alabama and Anchorage?"

                  Maybe in a few years we'll be discussing "UAF/A" or UAUSD (University of Alaska Unified School District).

                  Ryan J
                  Preserving Michigan Tech's Hockey History
                  https://www.johnsonsjerseys.net
                  Originally posted by geezer
                  Tech has the best of everything, even the best jersey nerd.
                  Originally posted by manurespreader
                  ...I really enjoyed listening to Ryan Johnson. He sounded intelligent.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

                    I'd follow the general consensus, with a few changes:
                    1. I don't think Tech's goaltending issues will be that big of a deal. They have a very strong D corp, they're well coached, and let's be frank - The WCHA doesn't have NCHC or HE-caliber goal scorers. I'm guessing Pearson was able to find some serviceable goalie in the last 3 years, and that should be enough to get them in the top 2 in the conference and into the NCAA tournament.
                    2. I'd be surprised if CJ Franklin doesn't end up on the WCHA 1st team. No knock on Mayhew, Shine, Mackin, Heinonen, who are all fine players, but I really think CJ has all the tools to put up a huge year.
                    3. While I generally agree with the nearly identical coaches and media polls, I do think these are the most likely surprise teams, good and bad -
                    Most likely to place higher than the general consensus - NMU, LSSU
                    Most likely to place lower than the general consensus - MSU, BSU

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

                      I'm not going to dig up my vote, but I'm in Iceland and my UAH hat was recognized ... by a guy wondering why HOCKEY was by a Denver Broncos logo. Figure it out, UAH ... you got this logo when I was an undergraduate and Bill Clinton was President.

                      GFM
                      Geof F. Morris
                      UAH BSE MAE 2002
                      UAHHockey.com

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

                        As a Tech fan, I'm really not too worried about replacing Phillips. We have capable goalies ready to step in. Goalie and D will again be solid.
                        Having a clear conscience just means you have a bad memory or you had a boring weekend.

                        RIP - Kirby

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

                          Can't wait for Saturday to come and the season to start with Duluth. Tempted to buy WCHAtv for the away game package.
                          Anybody know if it includes the out of conference games in the package too?
                          Still trying to decide if I want it and if the broadcast quality has improved and if you can watch it at anytime you would want.
                          MTU Huskies 3 time NCAA Champions... and going for more.
                          2017-18 WCHA playoff Pick'em Champion!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

                            Originally posted by Wi.Huskies Fan View Post
                            Can't wait for Saturday to come and the season to start with Duluth. Tempted to buy WCHAtv for the away game package.
                            Anybody know if it includes the out of conference games in the package too?
                            It does not. Not even the full season package includes OOC away games. If you want video for the games at Duluth, you'll need a pass for NCHCtv.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by FadeToBlack&Gold View Post
                              It does not. Not even the full season package includes OOC away games. If you want video for the games at Duluth, you'll need a pass for NCHCtv.
                              OK, thanks for the info FTB&G
                              Do you subscribe? Are you satisfied with the picture quality?
                              I am a season ticket holder so I won't need the full season package.
                              Last edited by Wi.Huskies Fan; 09-25-2016, 11:42 AM.
                              MTU Huskies 3 time NCAA Champions... and going for more.
                              2017-18 WCHA playoff Pick'em Champion!

                              Comment

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