DU Hockey Ranked No. 1 in USCHO.com Preseason Poll
9/21/2026 1:32:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Pioneers are the defending national champion
DENVER - The defending national champion University of Denver hockey team was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the USCHO.com 2026-27 preseason media poll that was released today. Â
The Pioneers posted a 29-11-3 record in 2025-26 and claimed their 11th national championship after also winning the NCHC conference tournament crown.  Denver's 2-1 win over Wisconsin in the national title game on April 11 in Las Vegas marked its third championship in five years and extended its NCAA record as the winningest program in college hockey history. Â
Following Denver in the rankings, Big Ten contenders Michigan and Michigan State are ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. National Collegiate Hockey Conference rivals North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth fill out the top five with the Fighting Hawks at No. 4 and the Bulldogs at No. 5. Additionally, 2025 national champion Western Michigan also ranked in the top 10 at the eighth spot.Â
DU received 35-of-50 first-place votes; Michigan was chosen first on the ballot six times, Michigan State seven times and North Dakota twice. The Pioneers garnered 973 points, while Michigan had 915 points.Â
Four other NCHC programs earned votes in the preseason poll, with Arizona State, Colorado College, Miami and St. Thomas also picking up recognition from the electorate. Â
Denver was also voted as the preseason favorite in the NCHC after the conference released its preseason media poll last Wednesday. A second national poll from USA Hockey will unveil its preseason rankings next Monday, Sept. 28.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
UP NEXT: DU opens the 2026-27 campaign on Oct. 2-3 at Alaska Anchorage. The Pioneers' home-opening weekend will be a Frozen Four rematch against No. 2 Michigan on Oct. 16-17 at Magness Arena, with the Denver raising its national championship banner on that Friday night. DU beat Michigan in double-overtime in this last year's national semifinals in Las Vegas on April 9 before going on to win the title.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.Â
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