Hockey Broncos ranked No. 11 in preseason poll

Contact: Thom Myers
Photo of WMU Bronco hockey team

WMU Broncos—2012 CCHA Tournament champions

KALAMAZOO—Western Michigan University's hockey team is ranked 11th in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine preseason poll released Monday, Sept. 24.

The defending Central Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament champions moved up from 13th in the preseason poll of one year ago after finishing 21-14-6 and winning the program's second Mason Cup.

The Broncos return 18 letterwinners from last season's team including goalie and CCHA Tournament MVP Frank Slubowski, Second Team All-American and reigning CCHA Best Defenseman Dan DeKeyser, and its three top scorers: Chase Balisy, Shane Berschbach and Dane Walters.

The Broncos lost seniors Ian Slater, Derek Roehl, Greg Squires, J.J. Crew and Kyle O’Kane, as well as junior defenseman Matt Tennyson, who signed with the NHL San Jose Sharks.

WMU was one of five CCHA teams in the top 15 in this year's preseason poll, along with Ferris State, Miami, Michigan and Notre Dame.

WMU opens the 2012-13 season with an exhibition game on Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. against Western Ontario.

Visit wmubroncos.com for more about Bronco hockey.