KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The USA Hockey preseason ballot was launched on Monday afternoon, with Western Michigan set to begin the upcoming season ranked ninth within the nation. The rating continues WMU’s run of getting been ranked inside the nation’s top-10 since November of 2024.
 
The USA Hockey ballot mirrored final week’s USCHO ballot on the high, with Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth claiming the highest 5 spots. Seven of the NCHC’s 10 groups had been both ranked or receiving notes, with the Broncos joined within the ballot by DU, UND and UMD, with St. Thomas, Miami and Colorado School all receiving votes.
 
Western Michigan is coming off of a 27-win season which noticed it make its fifth consecutive journey to the NCAA Event and end ranked sixth in each the USCHO and USA Hockey polls. WMU has the third-most wins in Division I during the last 5 years.
 
The Broncos open the 2026-27 marketing campaign with a house exhibition sport in opposition to Western Ontario on Saturday at 6 pm. WMU begins the common season on Thursday, Oct. 8, as Ferris State involves Lawson Enviornment at 7 pm. Single-game tickets for the 2026-27 season can be found now at wmubroncos.com/tickets.