September 30, 2009
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Michigan Takes Top Spot in CCHA Polls
CHN Staff Report
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — For the first time in four years, the coaches and media agree on who should hold down the No. 1 position in the CCHA’s annual preseason polls — Michigan.
In the coaches poll, the Wolverines took five of a possible 11 first-place votes, five seconds, and one third-place vote. Notre Dame received four first-place votes as well as four seconds and three thirds. Miami took third, receiving two first-place votes, while Ohio State came in fourth. Northern Michigan captured the lone remaining first-place vote and finished fifth in the coaches poll.
The media also voted in favor of Michigan, with the Irish coming in a close second and Miami rounding out the top three just five points farther back. The Wolverines picked up 24 of a possible 66 first-place votes while the RedHawks and Irish received 20 first-place votes each. The Buckeyes and Wildcats finished fourth and fifth in the media poll as well.
The Wolverines, coming off of second-place finishes in both the CCHA regular-season and conference tournament, have 19 returning letterwinners including starting goaltender Bryan Hogan, along with eight defensemen and nine forwards. Other returning impact players include First-Team All-American Louie Caporusso and 2009 CCHA Rookie of the Year David Wohlberg. Michigan is returning six of its top 10 scorers in Red Berenson’s 26th season as head coach.
The Irish bring back 19 players, including 15 of 21 letterwinners, from a squad that won 31 games last season while capturing CCHA regular-season and tournament titles. They are led offensively by junior Calle Ridderwall, who had 31 points, along with six other returning Irish skaters who broke the 20-point barrier last season. The Irish also return First-Team All-American Ian Cole and the 2009 CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the year, Kyle Lawson, on defense.
The RedHawks have 17 lettermen back from the team that appeared in the 2009 National Championship game. Ohio State will be led by junior forward John Albert, who has been named to the CCHA Preseason All-Conference Second Team. The Wildcats bring back 18 of their 23 letterwinners from the 2008-2009 season, and will be led by three CCHA Preseason All-Conference First Team members in senior goaltender Brian Stewart, junior defenseman Eric Gustafsson, and junior forward Mark Olver.
Coaches Poll
1. Michigan (5)
2. Notre Dame(4)
3. Miami (2)
4. Ohio State
5. Northern Michigan
6. Nebraska-Omaha
7. Alaska
8. Ferris State
9. Michigan State
10. Lake Superior State
11. Western Michigan
12. Bowling Green
Media Poll
1. Michigan (24)
2. Notre Dame (20)
3. Miami (20)
4. Ohio State (1)
5. Northern Michigan
6. Alaska
7. Nebraska-Omaha
8. Michigan State (1)
9. Ferris State
10. Western Michigan
11. Lake Superior
12. Bowling Green
2009-10 CCHA Preseason First Team
F Carter Camper, Jr., Miami
F Louie Caporusso, Jr., Michigan
F Mark Olver, Jr., Northern Michigan
D Erik Gustafsson, Jr., Northern Michigan
D Ian Cole, Jr., Notre Dame
G Brian Stewart, Sr., Northern Michigan
2009-10 CCHA Preseason Second Team
F Calle Ridderwall, Jr., Notre Dame
F Billy Maday, So., Notre Dame
F John Albert, Jr., Ohio State
D Eddie Del Grosso, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha
D Kyle Lawson, Sr., Notre Dame
G Bryan Hogan, Jr., Michigan
Honorable mention: Ryan Thang, Sr., F, Notre Dame; Zach Redmond, Jr., D, Ferris State; Chris Summers, Sr., D, Michigan; Gregor Hanson, Jr., F, Northern Michigan; Tyler Ludwig, Sr., D, Western Michigan; Chris Wideman, So., D, Miami.
