Michigan Daily: Article by Michael Eisenstein on Michigan Hockey

In media poll, Michigan picked to win conference

Coaches predict Michigan will finish second in CCHA behind Notre Dame

By Michael Eisenstein
Daily Sports Editor

GRAND RAPIDS — Last year, Michigan coach Red Berenson was focused on reassuring Wolverine fans that the freshman-laden team was better than its predicted fourth-place CCHA finish.

“Nothing has changed at Michigan,” Berenson said a year ago, referring to the program’s consistent place among the conference’s top teams.

This season, with a Frozen Four behind them and a No. 2 national ranking, the Wolverines won’t be surprising anyone. Michigan was picked to finish first in the CCHA by the media (43 first-place votes), and second by the conference’s coaches (three first-place votes) behind Notre Dame, who ousted the Wolverines from the NCAA Tournament last April.

Miami (Ohio), Michigan State and Northern Michigan round out the top five in each poll.

“I just see this as being a good team right from the get-go,” Berenson said at yesterday’s CCHA Media day in Grand Rapids. “Last year we weren’t supposed to be good, (and) we surprised ourselves.”

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