Wildcats hockey team selected fifth in both WCHA preseason polls
EDINA, Minn. — The Northern Michigan hockey team was chosen to finish fifth in the WCHA during the 2016-17 season in the Mankato Free Press Preseason Coaches’ Poll and the Bemidji Pioneer Preseason Media Poll, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon.
Senior forward Dominik Shine was named to the coaches’ and media preseason all-WCHA teams.
Bowling Green was selected to capture the MacNaughton Cup by the coaches and media. Michigan Tech, Minnesota State and Ferris State rounded out the top four in both polls.
Shine received votes for the media’s Preseason Player of the Year while freshman forward Collin Peters garnered votes for the coaches’ Preseason Rookie of the Year.
The full polls and all-WCHA teams can be found here.
Shine was named to the 2016 all-WCHA second team after recording 30 points (15g-15a) in 34 games. Peters enjoyed his most productive season in the USHL in 2015-16, recording 32 points (16g-16a) in 54 regular-season games. He won the Calder Cup in 2015 with the Sioux Falls Stampede.
In 2015-16, the Wildcats placed fifth in the WCHA, posting a 12-11-5 record in league play. They open their season Sunday, Oct. 2 when they host the University of Victoria in an exhibition game at 7:07 p.m.
(INFORMATION COURTESY OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN ATHLETICS AND THE WESTERN CONFERENCE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION)