The revamped WCHA may have a lot of uncertainties heading into the 2013-14 season, but both the league’s coaches and media agree that Minnesota State is the team to beat after both groups tabbed the Mavericks to finish first this year in two separate polls.
The media poll was conducted by Jack Hittinger of the Bemidji Pioneer, while the coaches’ poll, sponsored by the Mankato Free Press, was conducted by Shane Frederick of the paper.
In addition, both the coaches and media named an All-WCHA preseason team.
2013 WCHA PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
| School (First-Place Votes) | Total Points |
|---|---|
| 1. Minnesota State (9) | 81 |
| 2. Ferris State | 65 |
| 3. Michigan Tech (1) | 64 |
| 4. Bowling Green | 58 |
| 5. Alaska | 54 |
| 6. Northern Michigan | 40 |
| 7. Bemidji State | 35 |
| 8. Lake Superior State | 25 |
| 9. Alaska-Anchorage | 18 |
| 10. Alabama-Huntsville | 10 |
2013 WCHA COACHES’ PRESEASON ALL-WCHA TEAM
| Player | Position | Class | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Leitner | F | Jr. | Minnesota State |
| Ryan Carpenter | F | Jr. | Bowling Green |
| Alex Petan | F | So. | Michigan Tech |
| Zach Palmquist | D | Jr. | Minnesota State |
| Jason Binkley | D | Jr. | Ferris State |
| Stephon Williams | G | So. | Minnesota State |
Leitner was named preseason player of the year and Minnesota State forward Zach Stepan was tabbed preseason rookie of the year in both polls. Michigan Tech’s Brent Baltus and Northern Michigan’s Shane Sooth also received votes for player of the year in the coaches’ poll, while Petan, Carpenter, Cody Kunyk (Alaska) and Blake Tatchell (Alaska-Anchorage) also earned votes for player of the year.
Others receiving votes on the All-WCHA Team: Forwards – Blake Tatchell (Alaska-Anchorage), Matt Bailey (Alaska-Anchorage), Cody Kunyk (Alaska), Garrett Thompson (Ferris State); Defensemen – Colton Parayko (Alaska), Matt Prapavessis (Bemidji State), Mike Sullivan (Bowling Green), Ralfs Freibergs (Bowling Green), Scott Czarnowczan (Ferris State), Kevin Czuczman (Lake Superior State), C.J. Ludwig (Northern Michigan); Goaltenders – Kevin Kapalka (Lake Superior State)
WCHA MEDIA PRESEASON POLL
| School (First-Place Votes) | Total Points |
|---|---|
| 1. Minnesota State (22) | 244 |
| 2. Ferris State (2) | 218 |
| 3. Alaska | 168 |
| 4. Bowling Green | 149 |
| 5. Michigan Tech | 144 |
| 6. Northern Michigan | 137 |
| 7. Lake Superior State | 117 |
| 8. Bemidji State (1) | 108 |
| 9. Alaska-Anchorage | 54 |
| 10. Alabama-Huntsville | 36 |
WCHA MEDIA PRESEASON ALL-WCHA TEAM
| Player | Position | Class | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Leitner | F | Jr. | Minnesota State |
| Alex Petan | F | So. | Michigan Tech |
| Ryan Carpenter | F | Jr. | Bowling Green |
| Jason Binkley | D | Jr. | Ferris State |
| Zach Palmquist | D | Jr. | Minnesota State |
| Stephon Williams | G | So. | Minnesota State |
For preseason rookie of the year, Tomas Sholl (Bowling Green), Brendan Harms (Bemidji State), Mathias Dahlstrom (Northern Michigan) and Cliff Watson (Michigan Tech) received votes and Garrett Thompson (Ferris State) and Stephon Williams (Minnesota State) earned votes for player of the year.
Others receiving votes on All-WCHA Team: Forwards – Cody Kunyk (Alaska), Reed Seckel (Northern Michigan), Stephan Vigier (Northern Michigan); Defensemen – Matt Prapavessis (Bemidji State), Ralfs Freibergs (Bowling Green), Colton Parayko (Alaska), C.J. Ludwig (Northern Michigan); Goaltenders – C.J. Motte (Ferris State), Andrew Walsh (Bemidji State)
