University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Ranked Third in USCHO Preseason Poll
9/14/2026 2:07:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota women's hockey team opens the 2026-27 season ranked No. 3 in the USCHO.com Preseason Division I Women's Poll, as announced Monday by U.S. College Hockey Online. It marks the fourth consecutive season the Gophers have opened the year ranked No. 3 in the USCHO preseason poll.
The USCHO poll, released weekly throughout the season, is voted on by a panel of 20 coaches and women's hockey writers from across the country.
The WCHA continues to showcase its strength with three of the nation's top-ranked programs. Wisconsin earned the No. 1 spot in the preseason rankings, while Ohio State holds No. 2, placing Minnesota in the top three. Minnesota Duluth (No. 9) and Minnesota State (No. 14) round out the WCHA's strong representation in the poll, while St. Cloud State also received votes.
The Gophers' 30th season begins Friday, Oct. 2-3, with a two-game series at Bemidji State before Minnesota hosts Maine on Oct. 9 for the 2026-27 home opener.
USCHO Preseason Poll
|
# |
Team |
First Place |
Record |
Pts |
Last Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Wisconsin |
(13) |
35- 4-2 |
293 |
1 |
|
2 |
Ohio State |
( 7) |
36- 5-0 |
287 |
2 |
|
3 |
Minnesota |
26-12-1 |
234 |
5 |
|
|
4 |
Penn State |
33- 6-0 |
229 |
3 |
|
|
5 |
Northeastern |
29- 9-1 |
223 |
4 |
|
|
6 |
Quinnipiac |
29- 9-3 |
195 |
7 |
|
|
7 |
Connecticut |
28- 9-2 |
181 |
6 |
|
|
8 |
Princeton |
23-11-0 |
149 |
9 |
|
|
9 |
Minnesota Duluth |
20-15-3 |
145 |
10 |
|
|
10 |
Yale |
26-10-0 |
122 |
8 |
|
|
11 |
Cornell |
20-11-2 |
107 |
11 |
|
|
12 |
Clarkson |
20-12-3 |
82 |
14 |
|
|
13 |
Colgate |
19-16-1 |
51 |
15 |
|
|
14 |
Minnesota State |
17-19-2 |
50 |
13 |
|
|
15 |
Mercyhurst |
23-11-3 |
41 |
12 |