COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Western Michigan hockey team was picked to finish fourth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) preseason poll, which was released this afternoon by the conference. 

A total of 28 ballots were submitted by local media members from each school, as well as select national media. Points were awarded on a descending scale with a first-place vote worth eight points, a second-place vote worth seven points and so on.  

The Broncos garnered two first-place votes and earned 126 points total. After claiming at least a share of the league title in each of the last two seasons, Denver was selected as the league's preseason favorite with 199 points and 11 first-place votes. North Dakota slotted in at No. 2 with 175 points and St. Cloud State rounded out the top three, collecting 155 points. 

The Broncos are coming off of a historic season that saw them claim their highest NCHC finish in program history (second). Last season, WMU won the Great Lakes Invitational, made the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and won 23 games, including 15 in conference play. 

Western Michigan's Pat Ferschweiler and Luke Grainger will head to Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday for the annual NCHC Media Day. Grainger will be taking over the NCHC's Twitter account at 12 p.m. ET., and fans are encouraged to ask questions at any time before Wednesday's event by using #NCHCAskGrainger. Ferschweiler and Grainger will also appear on the Bruce Ciskie Radio Show before meeting with the media and engaging in other activities. 

Western Michigan opens its regular season on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. against Ferris State at Lawson Arena. Fans can purchase, season, single-game and pick-six mini plan tickets to catch the Broncos this season. This season WMU will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Bronco Varsity Hockey, which will be commemorated in a variety of ways, including a special 50th Anniversary logo at center ice, special in-game tributes throughout the season, and a special Alumni Weekend for Bronco Hockey during the Colorado College series, January 26 and 27. In addition, every season ticket holder will receive a special 50th Anniversary puck to commemorate this special season.

PRESEASON POLL
Denver – 199 points (11 first-place votes)
North Dakota – 175 (12)
St. Cloud State – 155 (2)
Western Michigan – 126 (2)
Minnesota Duluth – 123 (1)
Omaha – 113
Colorado College – 89
Miami – 28