Oct. 10, 2008

The following release is from the MCHA website:

Adrian College has been selected as the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association's No. 1 hockey team, according to the league's 2008-09 preseason coaches poll.

The Bulldogs received 49 points, garnering all possible first-place votes from the league's eight head coaches (coaches could not vote for their own team). Adrian had arguably the greatest season ever for a first-year NCAA program last season, going 26-3-0 in winning MCHA regular season and Harris Cup titles.

The Bulldogs spent most of the campaign in the national polls and found themselves No. 9 in the final poll of the year. Not only did they lose no seniors from last year's squad, but they are set to return the top three point-producers at the NCAA D-III level last year in Adam Krug (77 points on 30G/47A), Shawn Skelly (74 points on 30G/44A) and Eric Miller (69 points on 29A and an NCAA-best 40G).

Adrian also had the nation's highest-scoring offense at 7.59 goals per game (second was 4.88 gpg) and carries a 20-game winning streak into the new campaign.

Marian University received the other first place vote and finished second with 40 points. The Sabres went 17-10-1 a season ago, finishing second in the MCHA with a 14-5-1 record.

The next three spots were a tight race, as MSOE (15-13-0 in 2007-08) was third with 35 points, Lawrence University (10-14-3) fourth with 32 points and Finlandia University (18-9-2) fifth with 29 points.

Minnesota-Crookston (6-21-0) and Concordia (2-25-0) were up next, tied for sixth with 15 points apiece. Northland (4-23-0) was eighth with nine points.

The MCHA enters its 11th season this fall, getting regular season play underway October 23 when Northland opens the season at UW-Superior.

MCHA Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Adrian (7 first-place votes) ... 49 points 2. Marian University (1 first-place vote) ... 40 3. MSOE ... 35 4. Lawrence University ... 32 5. Finlandia University ... 29 T6. Minnesota-Crookston ... 15 T6. Concordia University ... 15 8. Northland College ... 9