KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan hockey team was ranked 11th in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine preseason poll released Monday afternoon by USA Hockey.

The defending CCHA Tournament Champions jumped up from 13th in last season's preseason poll after finishing 21-14-6 and winning the program's second Mason Cup. The Broncos return 18 letterwinners form last season's team including goalie and CCHA Tournament MVP Frank Slubowski, Second Team All-American and reigning CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman Dan DeKeyser and its three top scorers Chase Balisy, Shane Berschbach and Dane Walters.

The Broncos lost seniors Ian Slater, Derek Roehl, Greg Squires, J.J. Crew and Kyle O'Kane as well as junior defenseman Matt Tennyson who signed with the San Jose Sharks.

Western Michigan was one of five CCHA teams in the top 15 along with Michigan, Miami, Notre Dame and Ferris State.

WMU opens the 2012-13 season with an exhibition game on Oct. 6 at 7:05 p.m. against Western Ontario.