MADISON, Wis. – The 2017-18 Wisconsin men's hockey season quickly approaches, and the Big Ten Conference released its preseason poll and preseason watch list on Monday. Voting was done by the coaches.
While the Badgers open play on Sunday, Oct. 1 against Michigan Tech at the Kohl Center, the squad was picked to finish in third place in the seven-team league. Defending regular-season champion Minnesota was picked to win again, while league newcomer and 2017 NCAA Frozen Four participant Notre Dame was chosen to finish second.
Wisconsin finished second in the Big Ten last season in both the regular season and in the conference tournament and returns 72 percent of its offensive production while welcoming potent newcomers and a revamped defense and goaltending group.
As individuals, three Badgers were among the 17 players named to the 2017-18 Big Ten Preseason Watch List, including 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Trent Frederic, who was one of two unanimous picks to the list.
Senior forward and captain
Cameron Hughes, as well as graduate transfer goaltender
Kyle Hayton are also on the list as players to keep an eye on for the upcoming season.
Sophomore forward Frederic's 15 goals and 33 points last year are the most for any returning Badger, while Hughes scored seven goals and 32 points last year.
The newcomer Hayton was a 2017 ACHA Second-Team All-American and the ECAC Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year while playing for St. Lawrence.
2017-18 BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
1. Minnesota
2. Notre Dame
3. WISCONSIN
4. Penn State
5. Ohio State
6. Michigan
7. Michigan State
2017-18 BIG TEN PRESEASON WATCH LIST#
Quinn Hughes, D, MICH
Will Lockwood, F, MICH
Josh Norris, F, MICH
Ryan Lindgren, D, MINN
Casey Mittelstadt, F, MINN
Rem Pitlick, F, MINN
Tyler Sheehy, F, MINN*
Jake Evans, F, ND
Jordan Gross, D, ND
Andrew Oglevie, F, ND
Mason Jobst, F, OSU
Matthew Weis, F, OSU
Peyton Jones, G, PSU
Dennis Smirnov, F, PSU
Trent Frederic, F, WIS*
Kyle Hayton, G, WIS
Cameron Hughes, F, WIS
* Unanimous selections
# Additional honorees due to ties
