2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

[mcfarljd]

1 bu
2 miami (lost good deal of scoring but experienced D will keep them in early until freshmen gel)
3 bc
4 notre dame
5 cc
6 denver
7 nodak
8 wmu
9 uno
10 michigan

[SCSU Euro]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

Kinkaid turned pro.

I think that moves them back to #26.

Figured I'd miss somebody, but coulda sworn I read he was coming back. Ok, move them down to ten and everybody else up one.

[fishcore12]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

Sorry jdr1, but that's a bit too biased...I like it though

So far, here are those who I have as voters for the preaseason poll:
Fighting Sioux 23 (west)
manurespreader (west)
fishcore12 (east)
OnionMan (east)
alnike (west)

If I have your region incorrect (i.e. east/west) please let me know. With that being said, I would really like to get 3 more westerners and 4 more easterners for a total of 12. For the purposes of determining region, if you are predominately a fan of a team in the CCHA or WCHA, then you are from the west. If you are a fan of a team in the ECAC, Hockey East or Atlantic Hockey, then you are from the east.

Also, don't feel as though you are committed to being a voter for the entire year. I've pretty much scrapped that idea in favor of a "vote when you can" approach. I fully anticipate that the voters will differ somewhat from week to week, but I would like to keep a consistent east/west split if at all possible.

Im only voting if I can get a sweet varsity jacket that says official rankings voter. Im usually good for a sunday morning hungover voting post.

[Slap Shot]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

The Gophers are too high.

[Tater]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

3. BU - Did they seriously lose one F, one D and a 3rd string goalie?!?

They also went basically .500 after Thanksgiving. BU could be very good this year, but most sensible BU fans are in a "Wait-and-see" mode.

[Tater]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

1 bu
3 bc

No way. At least not right now.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

They also went basically .500 after Thanksgiving. BU could be very good this year, but most sensible BU fans are in a "Wait-and-see" mode.

I agree with this. On paper, they should contend for a national title, but they have to prove that they can play at that kind of level. I ranked them 5th, and the top team out of Hockey East, but we should know a whole lot more about BU in 6-8 weeks.

Also, I only have 2 "easterners" voting for the preseason poll so far. It would be greatly appreciated if fans of a team from the ECAC, Hockey East or Atlantic Hockey would put up their top 10.

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

Another great topic from FS23.

Not going to rank them because frankly I don't feel completely comfortable with ranking the Western teams as I just don't watch them close enough.

A few thoughts... Stick to the obvious when ranking these teams. The ECAC stinks, so I cross them off the list quickly. What wins games? Goalies and coaches. If you have both, you're in great shape. If you don't, forget it.

No real juggernauts this year IMO like we saw with BC and UND last year (and it didn't work out for either of them... WHAMMY!)

- BU is being overrated by a lot of folks early this year including a lot of media outlets. Maybe more talent on paper than anyone in HE but they need a whole lot of gelling to get it done.
- UNH underrated yet again. NEVER underrate these guys (unless you're going to be ranking teams in March).
- BC an interesting team. Some have they very high, which they could be by the end. Others have them floating on the fringe of top 10 or just inside top 10. Goaltending question marks but not a total question mark. Could have two very good goalies by the time the puck drops. Gaudreau could have tipped this freshman class into a great class and he may change the course of BC's season if he does well. Watch their bottom 3 D though. That's the worry. Could be the best team in the league by the 2nd half of the season if not right at the start. Won't win the RS title, though.
- Maine. Like I said, no goaltending + no coaching = no chance. Always a team that could beat someone on any given night with what they have on offense but... it is what it is in Orono.
- Merrimack. Never underestimate the power of the 23 year old freshmen that Merrimack recruits in droves (or something like that). Cannata is best goalie in the league by far IMO. I think Dacosta was great and really put them into a higher gear but they have a good thing going with all these overaged players and the system. Keep an eye on them. Not an elite team but will be in the hunt for home ice all season long (probably a UNH vs. MC 4x5 matchup in the HE QFs, where will they play?).

On to Western teams:
- Miami - blah. UNH of the West. Very good team, put them up there high in the rankings, and then when March or April rolls around watch Captain Blasi take the wheel of the failboat.
- North Dakota - another team that is always good and don't bet against them to get things figured out.
- Notre Dame - Coaching, good experience with the FF last year. Tough team. Like them a lot in the CCHA.
- Colorado College - Howe to me is the real deal. I felt confident that was the case going into last year's NCAAs after watching him in some of the televised games I had a chance to see. He was awesome vs. BC. Jaden Schwartz has some great numbers while missing a chunk of the season. A full season of Schwartz could be frightening for the opposition.
- UNO - Potential. And they have Blais. Keep an eye on them.
- Denver - Not sure what to think to be honest. Their fans are as collar up as it gets West of the Mississippi. Always a good team, though. Will they be great?

It's tough to break through the same old programs.

[ronmexico]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

- Denver - Not sure what to think to be honest. Their fans are as collar up as it gets West of the Mississippi. Always a good team, though. Will they be great?

Nice.

[zena]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

I like it. Hope your effort succeeds.

I am not sure I can believe only two Hockey East teams are in the top 10 (or 13). I know, when you look at any of them individually, it's tough to put them up there. But there will be a third emerge for sure, I think. Maybe not New Hampshire, too many changes. But Merrimack, I think, will still be a top 10-13 team. They lost their best player to the NHL, but they kept their goaltender, and an experienced, solid goaltender is worth everything. I'd at least give them an honorable mention.

Maine is due to break out too. They've got enough offensive firepower left, they're due, if they can settle down. Make them my #14 (or am I on 15?).

Mack is not deep but extremely talented.
Look for them to now be a permanent fixture in the league's top 6.
They recruit very well.

[MGoBlueHockey]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

1. Denver
2. Boston
3. Colorado College
4. Boston College
5. Michigan
6. Notre Dame
7. North Dakota
8. Nebraska-Omaha
9. Miami
10. Minnesota-Duluth

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

FWIW, here is USCHO's preseason rankings:

1. Notre Dame (11)
2. Miami (12)
3. North Dakota (5)
4. Denver
5. Boston College (2)
6. Michigan
7. Colorado College
8. Minnesota Duluth (10)
9. Yale (1)
10. Boston University (2)
11. Union
12. New Hampshire
13. Western Michigan
14. Nebraska Omaha
15. Merrimack
16. Maine
17. Wisconsin
18. RPI
19. Minnesota
20. Cornell

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

The website is up and running (somewhat). Thanks to some friends out east for submitting their top-10s, and I have uploaded the first ever "College Hockey Weekly Power Rankings".

Check it out here...

http://www.collegehockeyweekly.com/W...-Rankings.html

Please note, the other pages are still being worked on, but should be ready by next week for the season. I'll continue to ask for your help in ranking these teams, so stay tuned. The next rankings will come out October 10th, and then weekly thereafter. Hopefully you all will enjoy!

[Rich]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

FWIW, here is USCHO's preseason rankings:
8. Minnesota Duluth (10)

Wow, how often does a team get about 1/4 of the first place votes and end up 8th? There are some pretty wildly differing approaches to casting a ballot in that poll.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: 2011-2012 NCAA Preseason Rankings

Wow, how often does a team get about 1/4 of the first place votes and end up 8th? There are some pretty wildly differing approaches to casting a ballot in that poll.

Yeah, that was a surprise. It seems that some voters subscribed to the "champion until beaten" philosophy, while others used the "who is the best now" approach. I prefer the second approach, but understand the first. I think North Dakota benefited from the first approach, as I'm sure some people voted them high based on the success of last year's team. FWIW, I left them off the top ten in my ballot.