September 24th 2024.
The DU Pioneers had an incredible season last year, finishing at the top of their game. And now, as they gear up for the next season, they will once again start at the very top. The University of Denver hockey team has been declared the No. 1 team in the preseason USCHO poll, which was released on Monday. This news comes after their impressive performance at the national championship in Minneapolis, where they claimed their 10th title.
It's no surprise that the Pios received 42 out of 50 first-place votes in the poll, which was voted on by coaches and media members from all across the country. Coming in at second place is Boston College, with six first-place votes, and Cornell at third with two. What's even more impressive is that DU is one of eight NCHC teams to make it into the top 20, out of the nine schools in the conference. Their rival, Colorado College, also made the list at No. 11, after narrowly missing out on the NCAA Tournament last season. Other notable teams from the NCHC include North Dakota, Omaha, St. Cloud State, Western Michigan, Minnesota Duluth, and the newest addition, Arizona State.
Last season, the Pios had an outstanding record of 32-9-3, which ultimately led them to the national title. This marked their 22nd consecutive season of winning at least 20 games. And they are determined to continue their winning streak this season. They will kick off the season with a two-game series against Alaska Anchorage on October 5th and 6th. And later in the month, they will host 20th-ranked Northeastern for a two-game set on October 18th and 19th.
The USCHO Division I Men's Poll has ranked the top 20 teams in the country, with DU taking the lead, followed by Boston College, Boston University, Michigan State, and North Dakota. The Pios are in good company with other top-ranked teams such as Minnesota, Michigan, and Quinnipiac. It's also worth noting that there are a few new teams in the mix this year, including St. Thomas, Michigan Tech, and Bemidji State.
But the Pios are not resting on their laurels. They know that they have to continue to work hard and stay focused in order to maintain their top ranking. And with the support of their fans, they are determined to make this another successful season. Want to stay updated on all things Denver sports? Make sure to sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all the latest news and analysis on Denver's teams.
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