/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/2398899/GYI0064249001.jpg)
Voting is now open for the WCHA Preseason Media Poll. Here is the ballot that I submitted for this year's poll. Expect the actual poll to be released on September 28th.
Standings
1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. Nebraska-Omaha
4. Colorado College
5. Wisconsin
6. Minnesota
7. Minnesota-Duluth
8. Alaska-Anchorage
9. St. Cloud State
10. Minnesota State
11. Michigan Tech
12. Bemidji State
As far as separating the teams into tiers, I would say 1-3 are all pretty close, 4-7 is a pretty clear step below, and then 8-12, yeeeeeesh. This does not appear to be the WCHA's strongest year.
All-WCHA Team
F- Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College
F-Jack Connolly, Minnesota-Duluth
F-Corbin Knight, North Dakota
D- Justin Schultz, Wisconsin
D- Brad Hunt, Bemidji State
G- Aaron Dell, North Dakota
The last forward spot came down to Knight and two forwards from Denver. I went with Hunt over UND's Ben Blood, just because I think Hunt is going to do a little more on both ends of the ice.
Awards
Player of the Year: Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College
Rookie of the Year: Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota
Coach of the Year: Mel Pearson, Michigan Tech
Player of the year was a tough choice between Schwartz and UW's Justin Schultz. I think Grimaldi is the most talented incoming rookie, though I wouldn't be surprised if the award ended up going to someone else that has a better statistical year like UNO's Jayson Megna and Minnesota State's Matt Leitner. Granted, this whole exercise is a little silly, but voting on preseason coach of the year seems especially so. But Michigan Tech is due for a pretty big rebound this year, so Pearson seems like a logical choice.