KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The USA Hockey preseason poll was released on Monday afternoon, with Western Michigan set to start the upcoming season ranked ninth in the nation. The ranking continues WMU's run of having been ranked inside of the nation's top-10 since November of 2024.
 
The USA Hockey poll mirrored last week's USCHO poll at the top, with Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth claiming the top five spots. Seven of the NCHC's 10 teams were either ranked or receiving notes, with the Broncos joined in the poll by DU, UND and UMD, with St. Thomas, Miami and Colorado College all receiving votes.
 
Western Michigan is coming off of a 27-win season which saw it make its fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and finish ranked sixth in both the USCHO and USA Hockey polls. WMU has the third-most wins in Division I over the last five years.
 
The Broncos open the 2026-27 campaign with a home exhibition game against Western Ontario on Saturday at 6 pm. WMU begins the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 8, as Ferris State comes to Lawson Arena at 7 pm. Single-game tickets for the 2026-27 season are available now at wmubroncos.com/tickets.