September 24th 2024.
The DU Pioneers had a fantastic season last year, finishing on top and claiming their 10th national title in Minneapolis. And it looks like they're not slowing down anytime soon. The University of Denver hockey team has just received the No. 1 ranking in the preseason USCHO poll, which was released on Monday. This is a huge accomplishment for the program and a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Out of 50 first-place votes, the Pios received an impressive 42, making them the clear frontrunner in the poll. Second-ranked Boston College received six first-place votes, while Cornell received two. It's clear that the Pioneers are highly respected by coaches and media members from all over the country.
But the Pios are not the only NCHC team making waves in the poll. In fact, they are one of a record eight teams from the conference to land in the top 20. Their rival, Colorado College, came in at No. 11 after narrowly missing out on the NCAA Tournament last year. Other NCHC teams that made the cut include North Dakota, Omaha, St. Cloud State, Western Michigan, Minnesota Duluth, and the newest addition, Arizona State.
Last season, the Pioneers had a remarkable record of 32-9-3, leading them to their national title. This also marked their 22nd consecutive season of winning at least 20 games, a truly impressive feat. They will kick off this season with a two-game series at Alaska Anchorage on October 5-6, followed by a home series against 20th-ranked Northeastern on October 18-19.
Here is the complete list of rankings from the USCHO Division I Men's Poll:
1. Denver
2. Boston College
3. Boston University
4. Michigan State
5. North Dakota
6. Minnesota
7. Michigan
8. Quinnipiac
9. Cornell
10. Wisconsin
11. Colorado College
12. Maine
13. Providence
14. Massachusetts
15. Omaha
16. St. Cloud
17. Western Michigan
18. Minnesota Duluth
19. Notre Dame
20. Arizona State
20. Northeastern
But the Pioneers aren't the only team receiving recognition in the poll. Other teams receiving votes include RIT, St. Thomas, Michigan Tech, Bemidji State, New Hampshire, Sacred Heart, Penn State, Harvard, Holy Cross, Ohio State, Minnesota State, Dartmouth, Merrimack, Clarkson, Connecticut, AIC, UMass Lowell, Colgate, LIU, Brown, and St. Lawrence.
If you're a sports fan and want to stay up to date on all things Denver, make sure to sign up for the Sports Omelette. You'll get all the latest analysis and news on Denver's teams delivered right to your inbox. With the Pioneers starting the season at the top, it's sure to be an exciting one for Denver sports fans.
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