WCHA announces preseason polls; preseason player awards

By @MichaelCaples –

Prior to their 2015 season kick-off teleconference call with the head coaches of their respective programs, the WCHA announced their coach and media preseason polls and player selections.

Here are what the coaches and media members are predicting for the upcoming season:

From the coaches:

Preseason WCHA Player of the Year

Tyler Morley, Sr., F, Alaska (7 votes)

Others receiving votes: Bryce Gervais, Sr., F, Minnesota State (2); Alex Petan, Sr., F, Michigan Tech (1)

Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year

Corey Mackin, Fr., F, Ferris State (6 votes)

Others receiving votes: Stephen Baylis, Fr., F, Bowling Green (2); Max Coatta, Fr., F, Minnesota State (1); Mitch Hults, Fr. F, Lake Superior State (1)

Preseason All-WCHA Team

Forwards

Tyler Morley, Sr., Alaska; Bryce Gervais, Sr., Minnesota State; Alex Petan, Sr., Michigan Tech

Defensemen

Shane Hanna, Jr., Michigan Tech; Casey Nelson, Jr., Minnesota State

Goaltender

Jamie Phillips, Sr., Michigan Tech

Others receiving votes: Forwards—Brandon Hawkins, So., Bowling Green. Defensemen—Mark Friedman, So., Bowling Green; Brock Maschmeyer, Jr., Northern Michigan. Goaltenders—Carmine Guerriero, Jr., Alabama Huntsville; Olivier Mantha, So., Alaska Anchorage; Mathias Dahlström, Jr., Northern Michigan; Michael Bitzer, So., Bemidji State.

 

From the media:

Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
Bryce Gervais, Sr., F, Minnesota State (9 votes)

Others receiving votes:Alex Petan, Sr., F, Michigan Tech (8 votes); Tyler Morley, Sr., F, Alaska (7); Jamie Phillips, Sr., G, Michigan Tech (1); Carmine Guerriero, Jr., G, Alabama-Huntsville (1); Brad McClure, So., F, Minnesota State (1).

Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
Stephen Baylis, Fr., F, Bowling Green (5 votes)

Others receiving votes: Corey Mackin, Fr., F, Ferris State (4); Jake Jackson, Fr., F, Michigan Tech (2); Troy Loggins, Fr., F, Northern Michigan (2); Brett Boeing, Fr., F, Michigan Tech (1); Dillon Eichstadt, Fr., D, Bemidji State (1); Owen Headrick, Fr., D, Lake Superior State (1); Jetlan Houcher, Fr., F, Alabama-Huntsville (1); Nikolas Koberstein, Fr., D, Alaska (1); Jake Lucchini, Fr., F, Michigan Tech (1); Chandler Madry, Fr., F, Minnesota State (1); Jimmy Mullin, Sr. (Transfer), F, Minnesota State (1); Anthony Nellis, Fr., F, Lake Superior State (1); Chad Staley, Fr., F, Alaska (1).

Preseason All-WCHA Team

Forwards

Alex Petan, Sr., Michigan Tech; Bryce Gervais, Sr., Minnesota State; TylerMorley, Sr., Alaska

Defensemen

Casey Nelson, Jr., Minnesota State; ShaneHanna, Jr., Michigan Tech

Goaltender

Jamie Phillips, Sr., Michigan Tech

Others receiving votes: Forwards—Marcus Basara, Jr., Alaska; Teddy Blueger, Sr., Minnesota State; CJ Franklin, So., Minnesota State; Malcolm Gould, Sr., Michigan Tech; Brendan Harms, Jr., Bemidji State; Brandon Hawkins, So., Bowling Green; Brad McClure, So., Minnesota State; Max McHugh, So., Alabama Huntsville; Matt Robertson, Sr. Ferris State; Blake Tatchell, Sr., Alaska Anchorage. Defensemen—Mark Friedman, So., Bowling Green; Brock Maschmeyer, Jr., Northern Michigan; Matt Roy, So., Michigan Tech; Sean Walker, Jr., Bowling Green; Cliff Watson, Jr., Michigan Tech. Goaltenders— Michael Bitzer, So., Bemidji State; Carmine Guerriero, Jr., Alabama-Huntsville; Mathias Dahlström, Jr., Northern Michigan.

Participants
Justin Bradford, Penalty Box Radio (102.5 FM Nashville); Michael Caples, Michigan Hockey Magazine; Bruce Cech, Alaska radio play-by-play; Brad Coccimiglio, SooToday.com; Dave Danis, Northern Michigan radio play-by-play; Chris Dilks, SB Nation College Hockey; Erik Drygas, Alaska radio color commentary; Drew Evans, BGSUHockey.com; Shane Frederick, Mankato Free Press; Patten Fuqua Penalty Box Radio (102.5 FM Nashville); Kevin Gordon, BGSUHockey.com; Jack Hittinger, The Bemidji Pioneer; Daver Karnosky, Houghton Daily Mining Gazette; Kevin Kurtt, Let’s Play Hockey Magazine; Geof Morris, UAHHockey.com; Michael Napier, UAHHockey.com; Tim O’Donnell, Fairbanks Daily News Miner; Justin Prince, Lakeland Public TV sports director; Rob Roos, Sault Ste. Marie Evening News; Jared Shafran, Ferris State radio play-by-play; George Sipple, Detroit Free Press; Ryan Steig, Marquette Daily Mining Journal; Mike Sullivan, Minnesota State radio play-by-play; Scott Theisen, WAFF-TV Huntsville; David Tuttle, Alaska-Anchorage radio play-by-play; John Wagner, Toledo Blade; Scott Williams, Lakeland Sports & KBUN Bemidji; Ryan Zuke, Big Rapids Pioneer.