KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Fresh off a record-breaking season, including the program's first National Championship, NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship and Penrose Cup, the Western Michigan hockey team was selected to finish first in the annual NCHC preseason poll, the league office announced this afternoon. 

The Broncos topped the poll for the first time in program history, receiving 19 of 30 first-place votes. WMU led the way with 252 points, while Denver (225, 4 FPV), North Dakota (220, 5 FPV) and Arizona State (180, 2 FPV) rounded out the top four. 

Following that quartet, Colorado College nabbed the five spot with 128 points. Just behind the Tigers was Minnesota Duluth at 120 points. Omaha (120), St. Cloud State (80) and Miami (35) finished out the poll. 

WMU is coming off a historic 34-7-1 season, collecting a 19-4-1 record in league play. The Brown and Gold lost just one game in regulation during the NCHC season and closed out the season on a 10-game winning streak en route to a National Championship. 

A total of 30 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 nine points, a second-place vote worth eight points and so on.

Western Michigan opens its season with a home exhibition game against the USNTDP on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 6 PM. The regular season opener is set for Thursday, Oct. 9 against Ferris State. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM at Lawson Arena.