Omaha Hockey Picked Seventh in NCHC Preseason Media Poll (2025-2026)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Coming off the program’s first NCAA National Championship and first Penrose Cup, Western Michigan has been selected as the favorite to win the Penrose Cup in 2026 and repeat as NCHC regular-season champions. The Broncos top the NCHC Preseason Media Poll for the first time, as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference unveiled the 2025-26 Preseason Poll on Thursday.

Western Michigan collected 19 of 30 first-place votes and totaled 252 points in the poll. Denver is picked second with 225 points and four first-place votes, while North Dakota is just behind in third with 220 points, including five first-place votes. Arizona State came in fourth in the Preseason Poll (180 points), garnering a pair of first-place votes.

Placing fifth in the Preseason Poll is Colorado College (128 points), while Minnesota Duluth was not far behind in sixth with 120 points. Omaha (110), St. Cloud State (80) and Miami (35) round out the NCHC Preseason Poll in spots seven through nine, respectively.

Last year, the Broncos became only the second NCHC team to capture both the Penrose Cup and Frozen Faceoff titles in the same season, and the first to add a national title on top of that. WMU finished the 2024-25 season with a 34-7-1 mark, including 19-4-1 in NCHC play. Western Michigan will be led by junior forward Owen Michaels, who tallied 18 goals a year ago and was named Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Frozen Four. The Broncos also return sophomore goaltender Hampton Slukynsky, who was named Preseason All-NCHC on Wednesday and earned Second-Team All-NCHC as a freshman.

Denver, who had topped the NCHC Preseason Poll each of the three previous seasons, placed third in the NCHC regular season last year. The Pioneers posted a 31-12-1 record overall a season ago, including 15-8-1 in conference play. DU was the runner-up at last year’s Frozen Faceoff and again fell to the Broncos in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals. The Pioneers bring back a pair of Preseason All-NCHC selections in junior forward Sam Harris and junior defenseman Eric Pohlkamp.

North Dakota heads into the 2025-26 season under new leadership, with longtime assistant coach Dane Jackson taking over the reigns of his alma mater as head coach. The Fighting Hawks placed fifth in the NCHC last season with a 14-9-1 mark, while going 21-15-2 overall. UND brings back First-Team All-NCHC defenseman and Preseason All-NCHC pick Jake Livanavage, while adding a touted rookie class to the mix.

Arizona State made its NCHC debut last season and surprised many, finishing second in the regular season after being picked eighth in the NCHC Preseason Poll. The Sun Devils were 14-9-1 in NCHC play in their first season in the conference and just missed the NCAA Tournament, going 21-14-2 overall. Tabbed to place fourth this year, ASU will be paced by Preseason All-NCHC forward Cullen Potter, who earned NCHC All-Rookie Team honors last year.

Western Michigan was selected sixth in last year’s NCHC Preseason Poll before going on to win the Penrose Cup. The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs hold that spot in this year’s Preseason Poll.

A total of 30 ballots were submitted by local media members from each school, as well as select national media. Points were awarded on a descending scale with a first-place vote worth nine points, a second-place vote worth eight points and so on. 

While the NCHC will not hold an in-person Media Day in 2025, media will be able to speak with coaches and players from each team via video call during the NCHC’s virtual Media Days on Sept. 23-24. Commissioner Heather Weems’ State of the Conference address will be posted to NCHC.tv following virtual Media Days.

The NCHC begins its 13th season on Friday, Oct. 3 with six teams in action, while the pursuit of the Penrose Cup kicks off on Friday, Oct. 31. Fans can watch 180 games live this season on NCHC.tv, including 12 games opening weekend. 

2025-26 NCHC Preseason Media Poll

Western Michigan, 252 points (19 first-place votes)
Denver, 225 (4)
North Dakota, 220 (5)
Arizona State, 180 (2)
Colorado College, 128
Minnesota Duluth, 120
Omaha, 110
St. Cloud State, 80
Miami, 35