The media have spoken, and as far as the 2014-15 National Collegiate Hockey Conference race is concern, the league broadcasters and scribes project a fifth-place finish for the University of Minnesota Duluth.

In the annual NCHC Preseason Media Poll, the Bulldogs garnered 112 points while the University of North Dakota (181 points and 12 first-place votes) was tabbed as the league favorite. North Dakota was followed by Miami University (167 pts.; nine first-place votes), defending NCHC regular season champion St. Cloud State University (151; and the remaining four first-place votes) and the University of Denver (117 pts).

UMD, which finished in a tie for fourth place (with Western Michigan University) during the league's debut season last winter, retains the services of 19 lettermen from a year ago -- including five of its top six scorers. The Bulldogs, under the direction of 15th-year head coach Scott Sandelin, will hold their first official practice on Oct. 4 -- two days before they host Lakehead University in an exhibition outing. They'll open their 71st season of competition on Oct. 10 against the University of Minnesota at the Ice Breaker Tournament in South Bend, Ind., and their NCHC schedule two weeks later when Denver pays a visit to AMSOIL Arena.
 
NCHC Preseason Poll
1.       North Dakota – 181 points (12 first-place votes)
2.       Miami – 167  (9)
3.       St. Cloud State – 151 (4)
4.       Denver – 117 (0)
5.      UMD – 112 (0)
6.       Omaha – 73 (0)
7.       Western Michigan  - 67 (0)
8.       Colorado College – 32 (0)