Photo by: Isaac Wasserman/Clarkson Creative Photography
DU Hockey Ranked No. 1 in USA Hockey Preseason Poll
9/28/2026 12:50:00 PM | (1) Ice Hockey, Athletics
DENVER - The defending national champion University of Denver hockey team ranked No. 1 in the nation in the USA Hockey 2026-27 NCAA Division I Men's preseason media poll that was released today. 
The Pioneers posted a 29-11-3 record in 2025-26 and claimed their 11th national championship.  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; the victory extended its NCAA record as the winningest program in college hockey history. 
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 round out the top five with the Fighting Hawks at No. 4 and the Bulldogs at No. 5. Additionally, 2025 national champion Western Michigan squeezed into the top 10, ranking ninth.
DU received 29-of-34 first-place votes; Michigan and North Dakota each acquired one first-place vote, and three voters placed Michigan State in the No.1 spot. The Pioneers garnered 668 total points, while second-place Michigan accumulated 620 points.
Three other NCHC programs gained recognition in the preseason poll, with Colorado College, Miami and St. Thomas also earning votes. 
Denver is the consensus No.1 team in the country as the program was also voted first in the USCHO.com 2026-27 preseason poll that was released last Monday, and the Pioneers were the favorite in the NCHC preseason media poll as well. This USA Hockey poll marks the end of the preseason release cycle, with the men's hockey regular season beginning on Friday.
About the USA Hockey Poll: The poll is compiled weekly in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association, consisting of 34 voters, including coaches and journalists representing each NCAA Division I conference.
UP NEXT: DU opens the 2026-27 campaign this weekend 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.
The Pioneers posted a 29-11-3 record in 2025-26 and claimed their 11th national championship.  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; the victory extended its NCAA record as the winningest program in college hockey history. 
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 round out the top five with the Fighting Hawks at No. 4 and the Bulldogs at No. 5. Additionally, 2025 national champion Western Michigan squeezed into the top 10, ranking ninth.
DU received 29-of-34 first-place votes; Michigan and North Dakota each acquired one first-place vote, and three voters placed Michigan State in the No.1 spot. The Pioneers garnered 668 total points, while second-place Michigan accumulated 620 points.
Three other NCHC programs gained recognition in the preseason poll, with Colorado College, Miami and St. Thomas also earning votes. 
Denver is the consensus No.1 team in the country as the program was also voted first in the USCHO.com 2026-27 preseason poll that was released last Monday, and the Pioneers were the favorite in the NCHC preseason media poll as well. This USA Hockey poll marks the end of the preseason release cycle, with the men's hockey regular season beginning on Friday.
About the USA Hockey Poll: The poll is compiled weekly in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association, consisting of 34 voters, including coaches and journalists representing each NCAA Division I conference.
UP NEXT: DU opens the 2026-27 campaign this weekend 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.
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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