The National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced the Preseason All-Conference team, selected by media members, on Tuesday. A pair of Bulldogs, junior forward and captain Noah Cates and junior forward Cole Koepke, were named to the team that also included a trio of University of North Dakota players and the University of Denvers backstop.

Cates, who paced all forwards last season along with Koepke in points, finished last season with 33 points (14g, 19a), just outside of the top five in the NCHC. Cates finished the year with a +7 rating along with two game winners. He shot .154 on the year, taking 91 shots in total over the span of 34 games. He also blocked 17 shots on the year and four power play goals. Cates was named to the NCHC All-Conference first team last season as well as an ACHA All-American (second team).

Koepke finished the year with 33 points (16g, 17a) as well last season. He had three game winners on the year, as well as three power play goals and two short handed tallies. He scored twice in one game two times last season and finished with a +10 rating on the year. he was third in the NCHC with 16 goals and was banmed to the NCHC All-Conference first team last season as well as an ACHA All-American.

UMD opens its campaign on Dec. 2 in the Omaha Pod against Denver University.