KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team was ranked No. 15 in the initial USA Hockey/The Rink Live poll, which was released this afternoon. 

Denver topped the poll with 27 first-place votes. Boston College and Cornell also received multiple first-place votes. BC, Boston University, Michigan State and Minnesota rounded out the top five of the poll. 

The NCHC was well represented, having seven teams ranked in the preseason poll. WMU was joined by DU, North Dakota, Colorado College, Omaha, St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth. 

Western Michigan is coming off of a historic 2023-24 season, earning a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. That was the first time in program history that the Broncos made three consecutive trips to the national tournament. The team also secured its third straight season with 20 or more wins. 

WMU will open its season on Oct. 5 with an exhibition against the USNTDP at Lawson Arena. The regular-season opener is set for Oct. 11 at home against Ferris State.