FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The WCHA released their coaches and media polls Wednesday, Sept. 18 and Alaska found themselves at the seven spot after the coaches vote, and in the eighth spot in the media poll. The Nanooks are coming off of a 2018-19 season where they saw a lot of promise. Despite a 12-21-3 record, the 'Nooks played to a near .500 conference record at 12-14-2.
Coaches corner
"It takes everyone to be successful … in terms of our group, we're excited for 2019-20, obviously we're building off of 2018-19, we started the year 0-7-1 against four tournament teams, and from there it could have gone either direction at that point and our group stuck together, we stuck with the process and I felt we got better as the year went on. Figuring out how to close games out and win games out and being a more consistent club is something we've strived for and focused on at the beginning of this year." said head coach
Erik Largen.
2019-20 Mankato Free Press WCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank Team (1stPlace Votes) Points
| 1st |
Minnesota State (9) |
90 |
| 2nd |
Bowling Green (1) |
82 |
| 3rd |
Bemidji State |
63 |
| 4th |
Northern Michigan |
61 |
| 5th |
Michigan Tech |
59 |
| 6th |
Lake Superior State |
58 |
| 7th |
Alaska |
39 |
| 8th |
Ferris State |
38 |
| 9th |
Alabama Huntsville |
30 |
| 10th |
Alaska Anchorage |
20 |
WCHA Preseason Player of the Year (Votes)
Marc Michaelis, Sr., F, Minnesota State (9)
Others receiving votes: Parker Tuomie, Sr., F, Minnesota State (1)
WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year (Votes)
Nathan Smith, Fr., F, Minnesota State (8)
Others receiving votes: Colby Bukes, Fr., D, Minnesota State (1); Samuel Solensky, Fr., F, Bemidji State (1)
2019-20 Mankato Free Press WCHA Preseason Media Poll
Rank Team (1stPlace Votes) Points
| 1st |
Minnesota State (10) |
100 |
| 2nd |
Bowling Green |
89 |
| 3rd |
Northern Michigan |
72 |
| 4th |
Michigan Tech |
68 |
| 5th |
Bemidji State |
62 |
| 6th |
Lake Superior State |
57 |
| 7th |
Ferris State |
37 |
| 8th |
Alaska |
27 |
| 9th |
Alabama Huntsville |
26 |
| 10th |
Alaska Anchorage |
12 |
WCHA Preseason Media Player of the Year (Votes)
Marc Michaelis, Sr., F, Minnesota State (26)
Others receiving votes: Brandon Kruse, Jr., F, Bowling Green (10); Phillip Beaulieu, Sr., D, Northern Michigan (8); Max Johnson, Jr., F, Bowling Green (8); Dryden McKay, So., G, Minnesota State (5); Parker Tuomie, Sr., F, Minnesota State (3)
WCHA Preseason Media Rookie of the Year (Votes)
Nathan Smith, Fr., F, Minnesota State (24)
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.
