2016-2017 WCHA Preseason Polls

The WCHA announced their preseason coaches and media polls prior to today’s conference teleconference. Bowling Green was picked as the favorite in both polls. Ferris State’s Gerald Mayhew was named preseason player of the year in both polls.

Here are the results of the poll:

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

And here is how the coaches voted for preseason player awards:

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.

And here is how the media voted:

And here is how the media chose for player awards:

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