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2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

B

BGDrew

Registered User
The release of the preseason polls seems like an apropos time to start the season thread. Here's the results of the polls:

2016-17 Mankato Free Press WCHA Men’s Hockey Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Rk Team (1st place votes) Points
1. Bowling Green (8) 89
2. Michigan Tech (2) 79
3. Minnesota State 71
4. Ferris State 70
5. Northern Michigan 54
6. Bemidji State 48
7. Lake Superior State 44
8. Alaska Anchorage 29
9. Alabama Huntsville 23
10. Alaska 21
Predicted order of finish. Based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.

Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
Gerald Mayhew, Sr. F, Ferris State (7 votes)

Others receiving votes: Mark Friedman, Jr. D, Bowling Green (1); Brandon Hawkins, Jr. F, Bowling Green (1); Chris Nell, Jr. F, Bowling Green (1)

Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
Parker Tuomie, F, Minnesota State (4 votes)

Others receiving votes: Cam Clarke, D, Ferris State (2); Colton Leiter, F, Alaska (1); Marc Michaelis, F, Minnesota State (1); Collin Peters, F, Northern Michigan (1); Angus Redmond, G, Michigan Tech (1)

Preseason All-WCHA Team
Forwards
Gerald Mayhew, Sr., Ferris State; Dominik Shine, Sr., Northern Michigan; Brandon Hawkins, Jr., Bowling Green (tie); Corey Mackin, So., Ferris State (tie)
Defensemen
Mark Friedman, Jr., Bowling Green; Matt Roy, Jr., Michigan Tech
Goaltender
Chris Nell, Jr., Bowling Green

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically by position): Forwards—Gerry Fitzgerald, Jr., Bemidji State; C.J. Franklin, Jr., Minnesota State; Brendan Harms, Tyler Heinonen, Sr., Michigan Tech; Sr., BSU; Joel L'Esperance, Jr., Michigan Tech. Defensemen—Mark Auk, Jr., Michigan Tech; Daniel Brickley, So., Minnesota State; Shane Hanna, Sr., Michigan Tech; Sean Walker, Sr., Bowling Green. Goaltenders—Michael Bitzer, Jr., Bemidji State; Gordon Defiel, Jr., Lake Superior State; Cole Huggins, Sr., Minnesota State; Darren Smith, So., Ferris State.

2016-17 Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Men’s Hockey Preseason Media Poll

Rk Team (1st place votes) Points
1. Bowling Green (15) 251
2. Michigan Tech (6) 239
3. Minnesota State (5) 236
4. Ferris State (2) 218
5. Northern Michigan 161
6. Bemidji State 144
7. Lake Superior State 106
8. Alaska 68
9. Alabama Huntsville 66
10. Alaska Anchorage 50
Predicted order of finish. Based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale.

Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
Gerald Mayhew, Sr., F, Ferris State

Others receiving votes: Dominik Shine, Sr., F, Northern Michigan; Sean Walker, Sr., D, Bowling Green; Cameron Clarke, Fr., D, Ferris State; Mason Mitchell, So., F, Alaska Anchorage; Corey Mackin, So., F, Ferris State; Max McHugh, Jr., F, Alabama Huntsville; Chris Nell, Jr., G, Bowling Green; Cole Huggins, Sr., G, Minnesota State; Tyler Heinonen, Sr., F, Michigan Tech.

Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
Cameron Clarke, D, Ferris State

Others receiving votes: Parker Tuomie, F, Minnesota State; Hampus Sjodahl, F, Bemidji State; Alec Rauhauser, D, Bowling Green; Frederic Letourneau, F, Bowling Green; Max Humitz, F, Lake Superior State; Brayden Gelsinger, F, Lake Superior State; Thomas Beretta, F, Michigan Tech; Mitch Reinke, D, Michigan Tech; Casey Linkenheld, F, Bowling Green; Adam Brady, F, Bemidji State; Connor James, D, Alabama Huntsville; Austin Beaulieu, F, Alabama Huntsville.

Preseason All-WCHA Team
Forwards
Gerald Mayhew, Sr., Ferris State; Dominik Shine, Sr., Northern Michigan; Tyler Heinonen, Sr., Michigan Tech
Defensemen
Mark Friedman, Jr., Bowling Green; Matt Roy, Jr., Michigan Tech
Goaltender
Chris Nell, Jr., Bowling Green
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Look's pretty accurate with 4/2 teams getting first place votes and the four teams that participated in last year's WCHA Final Five being the top four teams this year, by a pretty large margin in both polls.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Here was my ballot:
1 Bowling Green
2 Minnesota State
3 NMU
4 Mich Tech
5 Ferris
6 Bemidji
7 UAH
8 LSSU
9 Alaska
10 UAA

F Shine NMU
F Hawkins BGSU
F Mayhew Ferris
D Hanna Tech
D Friedman BGSU
G Nell BGSU

PLAYER: Nell BGSU

In reality, BG should be on top, then probably have several teams. Who could be 2-5 and another group fighting for 4-7 and a few battling for that last home ice spot. A key injury or player loss to any team could have a huge impact on where they finish. It should be an interesting year.
 
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Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Here was my prediction:

1 Michigan Tech
2 Bowling Green
3 Minnesota St
4 Ferris St
5 Northern Michigan
6 LSSU
7 Bemidji
8 UAH
9 UAF
10 UAA


F Shine (NMU)
F Mayhew (FSU)
F L'Esperance (MTU)
D Roy (MTU)
D Walker (BGSU)
G Nell (BGSU)

MVP: Shine (NMU)


I went with Tech last year, and they didn't let me down (and by that, I mean they completely crushed my team's hopes), so I'm going with them again this year. It's a bit of a risky pick considering how uncertain their net will be trying to replace Philips, but I think the skaters have enough depth to overcome it. BG is definitely the best equipped to beat them, but it's all going to come down to whether or not the offense can pick it up. Nell and the blueliners can only do so much.

I also think we're going to see a similar situation to previous years where we see clusters of teams all within a few points of each other. I'd say the groups this year are:

Contending for McNaughton:
MTU
BGSU
MSU
FSU

Middle of the road:
NMU
LSSU
BSU

Struggling for Playoffs:
UAH
UAF
UAA
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

You know given the news releases the last few days, I disagree with Chris Dilks. I think the WCHA gets two in, maybe more.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Critical Thinker said:
Struggling for Playoffs:
UAH
UAF
UAA
Click to expand...
Might have been quicker to just type "UA_" but then everyone would say "Well what about Alabama and Anchorage?"

Maybe in a few years we'll be discussing "UAF/A" or UAUSD (University of Alaska Unified School District).

Ryan J
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

I'd follow the general consensus, with a few changes:
1. I don't think Tech's goaltending issues will be that big of a deal. They have a very strong D corp, they're well coached, and let's be frank - The WCHA doesn't have NCHC or HE-caliber goal scorers. I'm guessing Pearson was able to find some serviceable goalie in the last 3 years, and that should be enough to get them in the top 2 in the conference and into the NCAA tournament.
2. I'd be surprised if CJ Franklin doesn't end up on the WCHA 1st team. No knock on Mayhew, Shine, Mackin, Heinonen, who are all fine players, but I really think CJ has all the tools to put up a huge year.
3. While I generally agree with the nearly identical coaches and media polls, I do think these are the most likely surprise teams, good and bad -
Most likely to place higher than the general consensus - NMU, LSSU
Most likely to place lower than the general consensus - MSU, BSU
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

I'm not going to dig up my vote, but I'm in Iceland and my UAH hat was recognized ... by a guy wondering why HOCKEY was by a Denver Broncos logo. Figure it out, UAH ... you got this logo when I was an undergraduate and Bill Clinton was President.

GFM
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

As a Tech fan, I'm really not too worried about replacing Phillips. We have capable goalies ready to step in. Goalie and D will again be solid.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Can't wait for Saturday to come and the season to start with Duluth. Tempted to buy WCHAtv for the away game package.
Anybody know if it includes the out of conference games in the package too?
Still trying to decide if I want it and if the broadcast quality has improved and if you can watch it at anytime you would want.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Wi.Huskies Fan said:
Can't wait for Saturday to come and the season to start with Duluth. Tempted to buy WCHAtv for the away game package.
Anybody know if it includes the out of conference games in the package too?
Click to expand...

It does not. Not even the full season package includes OOC away games. If you want video for the games at Duluth, you'll need a pass for NCHCtv.
 
FadeToBlack&Gold said:
It does not. Not even the full season package includes OOC away games. If you want video for the games at Duluth, you'll need a pass for NCHCtv.
Click to expand...
OK, thanks for the info FTB&G
Do you subscribe? Are you satisfied with the picture quality?
I am a season ticket holder so I won't need the full season package.
 
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Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

Wi.Huskies Fan said:
OK, thanks for the info FTB&G
Do you subscribe? Are you satisfied with the picture quality?
I am a season ticket holder so I won't need the full season package.
Click to expand...

I get the full package. I'm content with the picture quality, but that's a matter of opinion. It's far from HD, but I can see jersey numbers, follow the play, and often see the puck. Some schools are better with their camera work than others. Tech, for instance, has multiple angles for replays, which is awesome when goals are scored - but not every school does it.

If I still lived in Houghton, I would think getting the 16 away conference games is probably worth $45. Not to sounds like a sales guy, but that's less than 3 bucks a game over the course of a six month season. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

WCHA.tv has never met the promise, but it's generally met expectations. I'm hoping that we don't have the early-season issues that we had last year.

GFM
 
FadeToBlack&Gold said:
I get the full package. I'm content with the picture quality, but that's a matter of opinion. It's far from HD, but I can see jersey numbers, follow the play, and often see the puck. Some schools are better with their camera work than others. Tech, for instance, has multiple angles for replays, which is awesome when goals are scored - but not every school does it.

If I still lived in Houghton, I would think getting the 16 away conference games is probably worth $45. Not to sounds like a sales guy, but that's less than 3 bucks a game over the course of a six month season. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Click to expand...
I hook the laptop up to a 46 inch TV. The picture is what it is, but it's a lot better than nothing. Have only ever had a problem with one game, and that was because they ended the broadcast after the second period. I was ****ed. Contacted Stretch. They said someone at the school ended the broadcast.
 
Re: 2016-2017 WCHA Season Thread

As a general rule MSU, BSU, and BGSU have the best feeds since they piggyback off their local tv feeds. LSSU, NMU, and MTU aren't too bad, but MTU uses their in-arena feed which means you get the occasional annoying graphic covering up play. The others are pretty hit or miss, and not all feeds are in HD.

One thing: if DVR controls are really important to you the player offers them but they're really glitchy and usually don't work.
 
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