He won't make his regular season collegiate debut for another week or so, but Jack Connolly has already attracted the attention of the 10 men who serve as head coaches in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Today, the league bench bosses chose the gifted University of Minnesota Duluth center as its 2008-09 WCHA Preseason Co-Rookie of the Year. Connolly shared that distinction with University of North Dakota forward Jason Gregoire (both received three votes).

Connolly, a 2007 graduate of Duluth's Marshall School, was named USA Hockey's Junior Hockey Player of the Year in 2007-08 after tying for the United States Hockey League lead in scoring with 72 points (26 goals and 46 assists) while centering the Sioux Falls Stampede's top line. He also landed the USHL Rookie of the Year Award and was both an All-USHL First Team and All-Rookie Team honoree.

In addition, UMD junior goaltender Alex Stalock was one of five individuals to draw votes for the WCHA Preseason Player of the Year honor (he got two -- one vote less than the winner, junior netminder Richard Bachman of Colorado College).

Connolly, Stalock and the Bulldogs were projected for an eighth place finish this winter in the 38th annual Grand Forks Herald Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was also released today. UMD will hold its first official practice this Saturday (Oct. 4) before hosting Lakehead University in an exhibition game the following evening at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

2008-09 WCHA Coaches' Poll