The Minnesota Duluth women are picked to finish fourth in the WCHA for 2012-13 according to the league’s annual coaches poll released Tuesday.
Defending NCAA Division I champion Minnesota is ranked No. 1 in the WCHA. Wisconsin senior forward Brianna Decker, the 2012 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner, is the league preseason player of the year.
2012-13 WCHA Coaches Preseason Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses, followed by total points)
1. Minnesota (6) 48
2. (tie) Wisconsin (1) 40
North Dakota (1) 40
4. Minnesota Duluth 32
5. Ohio State 24
6. Bemidji State 19
7. Minnesota State-Mankato 12
8. St. Cloud State 9
(First-place votes in parentheses, followed by total points)
1. Minnesota (6) 48
2. (tie) Wisconsin (1) 40
North Dakota (1) 40
4. Minnesota Duluth 32
5. Ohio State 24
6. Bemidji State 19
7. Minnesota State-Mankato 12
8. St. Cloud State 9
Preseason Player of the Year
Brianna Decker, F, Wisconsin, (4); Amanda Kessel, F, Minnesota, (2) and Jocelyne Lamoureux, North Dakota, F, (2).
Preseason Rookie of the Year
Hannah Brandt, F, Minnesota, (8).
Hannah Brandt, F, Minnesota, (8).
