The Pioneers posted a 29-11-3 document in 2025-26 and claimed their eleventh nationwide championship. Denver’s 2-1 win over Wisconsin within the nationwide title recreation on April 11 in Las Vegas marked its third championship in 5 years; the victory prolonged its NCAA document because the winningest program in school hockey historical past.
Following Denver within the rankings, Huge Ten contenders Michigan and Michigan State are ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Nationwide Collegiate Hockey Convention rivals North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth spherical out the highest 5 with the Preventing Hawks at No. 4 and the Bulldogs at No. 5. Moreover, 2025 nationwide champion Western Michigan squeezed into the highest 10, rating ninth.
DU acquired 29-of-34 first-place votes; Michigan and North Dakota every acquired one first-place vote, and three voters positioned Michigan State within the No.1 spot. The Pioneers garnered 668 complete factors, whereas second-place Michigan gathered 620 factors.
Three different NCHC packages gained recognition within the preseason ballot, with Colorado Faculty, Miami and St. Thomas additionally incomes votes.
Denver is the consensus No.1 workforce within the nation as this system was additionally voted first within the USCHO.com 2026-27 preseason ballot that was launched final Monday, and the Pioneers had been the favourite within the NCHC preseason media ballot as nicely. This USA Hockey ballot marks the top of the preseason launch cycle, with the boys’s hockey common season starting on Friday.
Concerning the USA Hockey Ballot: The ballot is compiled weekly along side the American Hockey Coaches Affiliation, consisting of 34 voters, together with coaches and journalists representing every NCAA Division I convention.
UP NEXT: DU opens the 2026-27 marketing campaign this weekend on Oct. 2-3 at Alaska Anchorage. The Pioneers’ home-opening weekend will probably be a Frozen 4 rematch towards No. 2 Michigan on Oct. 16-17 at Magness Enviornment, with the Denver elevating its nationwide championship banner on that Friday night time. DU beat Michigan in double-overtime on this final 12 months’s nationwide semifinals in Las Vegas on April 9 earlier than occurring to win the title.
TICKETS: Single-game tickets in addition to mini plans and group packages for the DU hockey’s championship-defense marketing campaign in 2026-27 are on sale now. Click on right here for extra data.
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