DENVER – On the heels of its 19^th consecutive 20-win season, the Denver Pioneers men's hockey team ranked fifth in the USCHO preseason poll.
 
Denver earned 620 points on a ballot submitted by 50 voters, including coaches, beat writers and sports professionals across the country. North Dakota took the top spot with 780 points with Boston College (710), Minnesota Duluth (638) and Minnesota State (635) ranked in descending order.  Western Michigan ranked 18^th give the NCHC four teams in the Top 20.
 
The Pioneers return 16 student-athletes from last season, including NCHC Rookie of the Year finalist Bobby Brink, NCHC Goalie of the Year finalist Magnus Chrona and eight seniors. Denver has nine NHL prospects on its roster after adding freshmen Antti Tuomisto, Carter Savoie, Mike Benning and McKade Webster.
 
The NCHC is set to open the 2020-21 season with a "pod" in Omaha, Neb. beginning Dec. 1.
 
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-OUR JOURNEY, OUR TIME- 
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