The University of Minnesota Duluth has been picked as the second-best team in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's (NCHC) Preseason Poll, the conference office announced on Wednesday afternoon. 
 
UMD received a total of 143 voting points and three first-place votes to garner the second position. St. Cloud State occupies the first spot in the poll after they took home a total of 195 points and 20 first-place votes. North Dakota sits just one spot below UMD after the Fighting Hawks received 142 voting points and one first-place vote. 
 
Both NCHC and national media members covering all eight teams took part in the preseason poll. In total, 25 ballots were cast with eight points being awarded for a first-place vote, seven points being awarded for a second-place vote and so on.
 
Preseason Poll

1. St. Cloud State – 195 points (20 first-place votes)
2. Minnesota Duluth – 143 (3)
3. North Dakota – 142 (1)
4. Denver – 123 (1)
5. Omaha - 114
6. Western Michigan - 105
7. Miami - 45
8. Colorado College – 33

 
The Bulldogs will play an exhibition game against the University of Wisconsin on Oct. 3, before officially opening their season against Bemidji State on Oct. 8.