Sep. 13—BLOOMINGTON — The Bemidji State ladies's hockey staff was voted to complete sixth of eight teams in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was launched on Tuesday.
The Beavers earned 16 points within the poll, placing them one point forward of seventh-place St. Cloud State and 9 points behind fifth-place Minnesota State. BSU was selected to complete sixth for the second consecutive season, a projection they validated in 2021-22 by ending the year sixth in the league standings.
Minnesota took the highest spot within the ballot with 44 factors and three first-place votes, with defending nationwide champion Ohio State (43 points, three first-place votes) and Wisconsin (42 points, two first-place votes) rounding out the highest three.
Reigning Patty Kazmaier Award winner Taylor Heise of Minnesota was named WCHA Preseason Player of the Year, and Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey has been dubbed Preseason Rookie of the Year.
Ohio State's Emma Maltais and Sophie Jaques, in addition to Minnesota Duluth's Gabbie Hughes and Ashton Bell, join Heise on the Preseason All-WCHA Team.
Bemidji State begins its season with a house nonconference sequence against Lindenwood on Sept. 23-24 on the Sanford Center.
2022-23 WCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll
1-Minnesota 44; 2-Ohio State 43; 3-Wisconsin forty two; 4-Minnesota Duluth 31; 5-Minnesota State 25; 6-Bemidji State 16; 7-St. Cloud State 15; 8-St. Thomas eight.