Photo by: Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Anchorage Athletics
Denver Hockey Stays Ranked at No. 1 after Week 1
10/5/2026 5:30:00 PM | (1) Ice Hockey
Pioneers earned a road sweep at Alaska Anchorage
DENVER – The University of Denver hockey team remained the No. 1 ranked team in the nation in both the USCHO.com and the USA Hockey media polls that were released on Monday.
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The Pioneers, the preseason No. 1 squad in both rankings, picked up 39-of-50 first-place votes in the USCHO.com poll and was listed on top of the ballot by 29-of-34 voters for the USA Hockey list.
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Denver began the 2026-27 season last weekend with a road sweep at Alaska Anchorage, winning 6-2 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday. Dating back to last season, the Pios have won 15 games in a row and are unbeaten in 19 straight contests.
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Michigan comes in at No. 2 in both polls while Michigan State is at No. 3 before two other squads from the National Collegiate Hockey Conference round out the top five. North Dakota is at No. 4 and Minnesota Duluth at No. 5, making up two of five of the squads from the league that are ranked. Western Michigan is at No. 8 in each poll, and Colorado College enters the rankings for the first time at No. 15.
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Overall, the NCHC led all conferences with four squads in the top 10 while its five total ranked teams are tied for first on each list with the Big Ten and Hockey East.
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Three other NCHC programs received votes, as St. Thomas was ranked on ballots on both polls while Miami and Omaha joined the Tommies on the USCHO.com list.
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UP NEXT: Denver hosts the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-18 team in an exhibition on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT at Magness Arena. The Pioneers continue the regular season on Oct. 16-17 as they take on Michigan in their home opening weekend, which includes raising their 2026 national championship banner to the rafters on that Friday night.
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About the USCHO.com poll: The Division I men's ice hockey poll is compiled weekly and consists of 50 voters, including coaches and media professionals from across the country.Â
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About the USA Hockey poll: The 32nd annual USA Hockey Men's College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from 34 coaches and journalists representing each of the six NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey.
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TICKETS: Single-game tickets as well as mini plans and group packages for the DU hockey's championship-defense campaign in 2026-27 are on sale now. Click here for more information.
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The Pioneers, the preseason No. 1 squad in both rankings, picked up 39-of-50 first-place votes in the USCHO.com poll and was listed on top of the ballot by 29-of-34 voters for the USA Hockey list.
Â
Denver began the 2026-27 season last weekend with a road sweep at Alaska Anchorage, winning 6-2 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday. Dating back to last season, the Pios have won 15 games in a row and are unbeaten in 19 straight contests.
Â
Michigan comes in at No. 2 in both polls while Michigan State is at No. 3 before two other squads from the National Collegiate Hockey Conference round out the top five. North Dakota is at No. 4 and Minnesota Duluth at No. 5, making up two of five of the squads from the league that are ranked. Western Michigan is at No. 8 in each poll, and Colorado College enters the rankings for the first time at No. 15.
Â
Overall, the NCHC led all conferences with four squads in the top 10 while its five total ranked teams are tied for first on each list with the Big Ten and Hockey East.
Â
Three other NCHC programs received votes, as St. Thomas was ranked on ballots on both polls while Miami and Omaha joined the Tommies on the USCHO.com list.
Â
UP NEXT: Denver hosts the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-18 team in an exhibition on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT at Magness Arena. The Pioneers continue the regular season on Oct. 16-17 as they take on Michigan in their home opening weekend, which includes raising their 2026 national championship banner to the rafters on that Friday night.
Â
About the USCHO.com poll: The Division I men's ice hockey poll is compiled weekly and consists of 50 voters, including coaches and media professionals from across the country.Â
Â
About the USA Hockey poll: The 32nd annual USA Hockey Men's College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from 34 coaches and journalists representing each of the six NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey.
Â
TICKETS: Single-game tickets as well as mini plans and group packages for the DU hockey's championship-defense campaign in 2026-27 are on sale now. Click here for more information.
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DENVER'S HOME FOR COLLEGE SPORTS Â
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of DU's NCAA Division I sports
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Hockey on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Hockey on X
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 Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of DU's NCAA Division I sports
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Hockey on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Hockey on X
Follow @DenverPioneers and @DU_Hockey on Instagram
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