Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green Tabbed Fourth In WCHA Coaches Poll
September 29, 2014 | Ice Hockey
For the second consecutive season, the Falcons have been selected to finished fourth among WCHA foes.
WCHA Full Release (PDF)
Coach Bergeron Audio (MP3.)
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – In the dawning of its second season in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), the league revealed the results of both the Mankato Free Press WCHA coaches' poll and the Bemidji Pioneer media poll during the annual WCHA Men's Coaches Media Teleconference on Monday (Sept. 29) afternoon.
Along with opening remarks from the new WCHA Men's Commissioner Bill Robertson and notes from league Supervisor of Officials Greg Shepard, the Bowling Green State University ice hockey team was listed to finish fourth in the coaches' poll, announced by the WCHA. Â
Head coaches from each school based their votes in a prediction order of finish based on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale; coaches could not vote for their own teams. The WCHA Head Coaches' Preseason Poll listed the Falcons fourth overall behind Minnesota State (9), Ferris State (1), and Michigan Tech among the entire field of teams.
Minnesota State has been tabbed as the overwhelming favorite in the conference for the second consecutive season, harvesting nine of the 10 first-place votes in the poll, including 81 total points – the exact same from a season ago. The Mavericks are coming off one of their best seasons in recent history, winning the 2014 WCHA Conference Championship in Grand Rapids, Mich. and reaching the NCAA Tournament.Â
Ferris State follows Minnesota State, finishing second with 67 total points, including the final first-place vote in the poll. Â The Bulldogs, who won the regular season championship and also made the NCAA Tournament in 2014, edged Michigan Tech (64) by three points, who finished just ahead of Bowling Green.
Bowling Green (57) placed fourth, followed by Alaska (44), Northern Michigan (40), Alaska Anchorage (38), Bemidji State (33), Lake Superior State (17) and Alabama-Huntsville (9).
This year's slate of home games will feature one exhibition and 17 regular season games in 2014-15, including non-conference matchups with Miami University, Ohio State and the 2015 Winterfest outdoor game at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio against Robert Morris. Bowling Green will also welcome seven different WCHA foes to the BGSU Ice Arena throughout the entire season, including a rematch of the 2014 WCHA Final Five against Minnesota State on Oct. 31 – Nov. 1.
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Single game tickets are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BGSU Ticket Office (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) or by calling 877-BGSU TICKET. You can find full details about purchasing single game tickets by CLICKING HERE.
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2014-15 Mankato Free Press WCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
Predicted order of finish. Based on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Coaches could not vote for their own teams
Rk          Team                                    1st-Pl.  Points
1.           Minnesota State                    9             81
2.           Ferris State                           1             67
3.           Michigan Tech                                64
4.           Bowling Green                                 57
5.           Alaska                                          44
6.           Northern Michigan                        40
7.           Alaska Anchorage                        38
8.           Bemidji State                                       33
9.           Lake Superior State                           17
10.         Alabama Huntsville                            9
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Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
C.J. Motte, Sr., G, Ferris State (4 votes)
Others receiving votes: Matt Leitner, Sr., F, Minnesota State (3); Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., F, Minnesota State (1); Scott Allen, Sr., F, Alaska Anchorage (1), Colton Parayko, Jr. D, Alaska (1)
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Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
C.J. Franklin, F, Minnesota State and Brad McClure, F, Minnesota State (4 votes each)
Others receiving votes: Brett Beauvais, D, Bemidji State (1), Oliver Mantha, G, Alaska Anchorage (1)
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Preseason All-WCHA Team
Forwards
Matt Leitner, Sr., Minnesota State; Tyler Morley, Jr., Alaska; Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., Minnesota State
Defensemen
Colton Parayko, Jr., Alaska; Zach Palmquist, Sr., Minnesota State
Goaltender
C.J. Motte, Sr., Ferris State
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Others receiving votes: Forwards—Scott Allen, Sr., Alaska Anchorage; Blake Tatchell, Jr., Alaska Anchorage; Justin Buzzeo, Sr., Ferris State; David Johnstone, Sr., Michigan Tech; Tanner Kero, Sr., Michigan Tech; Alex Petan, Jr., Michigan Tech; Blake Pietila, Sr., Michigan Tech. Defensemen—Austin Coldwell, Sr., Alaska Anchorage; Matt Prapavessis, Sr., Bemidji State; Jason Binkley, Sr., Ferris State; Shane Hanna, So., Michigan Tech. Goaltenders—Cole Huggins, So., Minnesota State.
WCHA Men's Media Poll
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The 2014-15 WCHA Preseason Media Poll, which was conducted and ran thru the Bemidji (Minn.) Pioneer, listed the Falcons third overall behind Minnesota State (23) and Ferris State (4) among the league's 10 schools.
Minnesota State was a near unanimous media choice to win the WCHA with 23 first-place votes and 256 total points in a panel of 27 total league media members, who voted not only on a predicted order of team finish but individual awards as well.
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Ferris State finished second, receiving four first-place votes and racked up 226 total point before Bowling Green was selected third with 180 total points. The Falcons are listed behind the regular season champions (Ferris State) and the league champions (Minnesota State) in the media poll, improving one spot from a season ago. Â
The 27 media members also selected the league's Preseason Player and Rookie of the year, as well as an All-WCHA team. Â For the second consecutive season, Matt Leitner was named the media's choice for the preseason Player of the Year.
Bowling Green's rookie defenseman Mark Friedman was the popular choice from the media for the preseason Rookie of the Year award. Friedman, who hails from Toronto, Ontario, was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2014 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft in the third round (86th overall), marking the highest selection among four players taken with ties to the WCHA. Friedman will enter his first season with the Falcons after playing two seasons for the Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL), tallying 75 points as a defenseman.
Bowling Green's Dan DeSalvo and Tommy Burke also received votes in the media's poll.
2014-15 Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Media Poll
Rk Team (1st place votes) Points
 1. Minnesota State (23) 256
2. Ferris State (4) 226
3. Bowling Green 180
4. Michigan Tech 178
 5. Alaska 163
6. Alaska Anchorage 128
7. Northern Michigan 112
8. Bemidji State 101
9. Lake Superior State 60
10. Alabama Huntsville 26
Predicted order of finish. Based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale.
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Preseason WCHA Player of the Year Matt Leitner, Sr., F, Minnesota State
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Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year Mark Friedman, D, Bowling Green
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Preseason All-WCHA Team
Forwards Tyler Morley, Jr., Alaska; Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., Minnesota State; Matt Leitner, Sr., Minnesota State
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Defensemen Colton Parayko, Jr., Alaska; Shane Hanna, So., Michigan Tech
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Goaltender C.J. Motte, Sr., Ferris State
Coach Bergeron Audio (MP3.)
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – In the dawning of its second season in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), the league revealed the results of both the Mankato Free Press WCHA coaches' poll and the Bemidji Pioneer media poll during the annual WCHA Men's Coaches Media Teleconference on Monday (Sept. 29) afternoon.
Along with opening remarks from the new WCHA Men's Commissioner Bill Robertson and notes from league Supervisor of Officials Greg Shepard, the Bowling Green State University ice hockey team was listed to finish fourth in the coaches' poll, announced by the WCHA. Â
Head coaches from each school based their votes in a prediction order of finish based on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale; coaches could not vote for their own teams. The WCHA Head Coaches' Preseason Poll listed the Falcons fourth overall behind Minnesota State (9), Ferris State (1), and Michigan Tech among the entire field of teams.
Minnesota State has been tabbed as the overwhelming favorite in the conference for the second consecutive season, harvesting nine of the 10 first-place votes in the poll, including 81 total points – the exact same from a season ago. The Mavericks are coming off one of their best seasons in recent history, winning the 2014 WCHA Conference Championship in Grand Rapids, Mich. and reaching the NCAA Tournament.Â
Ferris State follows Minnesota State, finishing second with 67 total points, including the final first-place vote in the poll. Â The Bulldogs, who won the regular season championship and also made the NCAA Tournament in 2014, edged Michigan Tech (64) by three points, who finished just ahead of Bowling Green.
Bowling Green (57) placed fourth, followed by Alaska (44), Northern Michigan (40), Alaska Anchorage (38), Bemidji State (33), Lake Superior State (17) and Alabama-Huntsville (9).
This year's slate of home games will feature one exhibition and 17 regular season games in 2014-15, including non-conference matchups with Miami University, Ohio State and the 2015 Winterfest outdoor game at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio against Robert Morris. Bowling Green will also welcome seven different WCHA foes to the BGSU Ice Arena throughout the entire season, including a rematch of the 2014 WCHA Final Five against Minnesota State on Oct. 31 – Nov. 1.
Â
Single game tickets are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BGSU Ticket Office (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) or by calling 877-BGSU TICKET. You can find full details about purchasing single game tickets by CLICKING HERE.
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2014-15 Mankato Free Press WCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
Predicted order of finish. Based on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Coaches could not vote for their own teams
Rk          Team                                    1st-Pl.  Points
1.           Minnesota State                    9             81
2.           Ferris State                           1             67
3.           Michigan Tech                                64
4.           Bowling Green                                 57
5.           Alaska                                          44
6.           Northern Michigan                        40
7.           Alaska Anchorage                        38
8.           Bemidji State                                       33
9.           Lake Superior State                           17
10.         Alabama Huntsville                            9
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Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
C.J. Motte, Sr., G, Ferris State (4 votes)
Others receiving votes: Matt Leitner, Sr., F, Minnesota State (3); Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., F, Minnesota State (1); Scott Allen, Sr., F, Alaska Anchorage (1), Colton Parayko, Jr. D, Alaska (1)
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Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year
C.J. Franklin, F, Minnesota State and Brad McClure, F, Minnesota State (4 votes each)
Others receiving votes: Brett Beauvais, D, Bemidji State (1), Oliver Mantha, G, Alaska Anchorage (1)
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Preseason All-WCHA Team
Forwards
Matt Leitner, Sr., Minnesota State; Tyler Morley, Jr., Alaska; Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., Minnesota State
Defensemen
Colton Parayko, Jr., Alaska; Zach Palmquist, Sr., Minnesota State
Goaltender
C.J. Motte, Sr., Ferris State
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Others receiving votes: Forwards—Scott Allen, Sr., Alaska Anchorage; Blake Tatchell, Jr., Alaska Anchorage; Justin Buzzeo, Sr., Ferris State; David Johnstone, Sr., Michigan Tech; Tanner Kero, Sr., Michigan Tech; Alex Petan, Jr., Michigan Tech; Blake Pietila, Sr., Michigan Tech. Defensemen—Austin Coldwell, Sr., Alaska Anchorage; Matt Prapavessis, Sr., Bemidji State; Jason Binkley, Sr., Ferris State; Shane Hanna, So., Michigan Tech. Goaltenders—Cole Huggins, So., Minnesota State.
WCHA Men's Media Poll
Â
The 2014-15 WCHA Preseason Media Poll, which was conducted and ran thru the Bemidji (Minn.) Pioneer, listed the Falcons third overall behind Minnesota State (23) and Ferris State (4) among the league's 10 schools.
Minnesota State was a near unanimous media choice to win the WCHA with 23 first-place votes and 256 total points in a panel of 27 total league media members, who voted not only on a predicted order of team finish but individual awards as well.
Â
Ferris State finished second, receiving four first-place votes and racked up 226 total point before Bowling Green was selected third with 180 total points. The Falcons are listed behind the regular season champions (Ferris State) and the league champions (Minnesota State) in the media poll, improving one spot from a season ago. Â
The 27 media members also selected the league's Preseason Player and Rookie of the year, as well as an All-WCHA team. Â For the second consecutive season, Matt Leitner was named the media's choice for the preseason Player of the Year.
Bowling Green's rookie defenseman Mark Friedman was the popular choice from the media for the preseason Rookie of the Year award. Friedman, who hails from Toronto, Ontario, was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2014 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft in the third round (86th overall), marking the highest selection among four players taken with ties to the WCHA. Friedman will enter his first season with the Falcons after playing two seasons for the Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL), tallying 75 points as a defenseman.
Bowling Green's Dan DeSalvo and Tommy Burke also received votes in the media's poll.
2014-15 Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Media Poll
Rk Team (1st place votes) Points
 1. Minnesota State (23) 256
2. Ferris State (4) 226
3. Bowling Green 180
4. Michigan Tech 178
 5. Alaska 163
6. Alaska Anchorage 128
7. Northern Michigan 112
8. Bemidji State 101
9. Lake Superior State 60
10. Alabama Huntsville 26
Predicted order of finish. Based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale.
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Preseason WCHA Player of the Year Matt Leitner, Sr., F, Minnesota State
Â
Preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year Mark Friedman, D, Bowling Green
Â
Preseason All-WCHA Team
Forwards Tyler Morley, Jr., Alaska; Jean-Paul LaFontaine, Sr., Minnesota State; Matt Leitner, Sr., Minnesota State
Â
Defensemen Colton Parayko, Jr., Alaska; Shane Hanna, So., Michigan Tech
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Goaltender C.J. Motte, Sr., Ferris State
Others receiving votes: Forwards—Josh Kestner, Fr., Alabama-Huntsville; Scott Allen, Sr., Alaska-Anchorage; Blake Tatchell, Jr., Alaska Anchorage; Cory Ward, Jr., Bemidji State; Adam Berkle, Sr.,Bowling Green; Dan DeSalvo, Sr., Bowling Green; Justin Buzzeo, Sr., Ferris State; Alex Globke, So., Lake Superior State; Tanner Kero, Jr., Michigan Tech; Alex Petan, So., Michigan Tech; Blake Pietila, Jr., Michigan Tech; John Siemer, So., Northern Michigan. Defensemen—Matt Prapavessis, Sr., Bemidji State; Jason Binkley, Sr., Ferris State; Zach Palmquist, Sr., Minnesota State; Mitch Jones, Sr., Northern Michigan. Goaltenders—Tommy Burke, Jr., Bowling Green; Cole Huggins, So., Minnesota State; Mathias Dahlstrom, R-Fr., Northern Michigan.
Â| Participants Jack Hittinger, Bemidji Pioneer; Shane Frederick, Mankato Free Press; Tim O'Donnell, Fairbanks News-Miner; Jerry Taylor, ABC 10 UP sports director; Geof Morris, UAH Hockey.com; Michael Napier, UAH Hockey.com; Drew Evans, BGSU Hockey.com; Bruce Cech, Alaska Nanooks radio play-by-play; Chris Dilks, SBN College Hockey; Kevin Kurtt, Let's Play Hockey Magazine; George Sipple, Detroit Free Press; Kurt Haider, Alaska-Anchorage radio play-by-play; Kevin Gordon, BGSU Hockey.com; Ryan Steig, Marquette Daily Mining Journal; Mike Sullivan, Minnesota State radio play by play; Greg Buckner, Big Rapids Pioneer; Scott Williams, Lakeland Sports & KBUN Bemidji; Ryan Satkowiak, Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune; Justin Bradford, Penalty Box Radio Nashville; John Wagner, Toledo Blade; Dave Danis, Northern Michigan radio play by play; Brian Halverson, Minnesota Hockey Magazine; Lee Benson, Lakeland Public TV sports director; David Tuttle, Alaska-Anchorage color commentator; Rob Roos, Sault Ste. Marie Evening News; Brandon Veale, The Daily Mining Gazette (Houghton) Â About Mankato Free Press WCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll The 2014-15 Mankato Free Press WCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll was conducted by Shane Frederick, staff writer, The Free Press Media. (www.mankatofreepress.com; www.mankatofreepresshockey.blogspot.com; Twitter/@puckato) Â About Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Media Poll The 2014-15 Bemidji Pioneer WCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Media Poll was conducted by Jack Hittinger, staff writer. (www.bemidjipioneer.com; www.bemidjipioneer.com/users/jhitt; Twitter/@jackhitts) Â About Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful conferences in all of collegiate athletics, proudly marks its 63rd season of men's competition in 2014-15. Covering five time zones and more than 4,200 miles, the 10-team Division 1 conference consists of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (Chargers), the University of Alaska Anchorage (Seawolves), the University of Alaska (Nanooks), Bemidji State University (Beavers), Bowling Green State University (Falcons), Ferris State University (Bulldogs), Lake Superior State University (Lakers), Michigan Technological University (Huskies), Minnesota State University (Mavericks) and Northern Michigan University (Wildcats). |
| Â MEDIA CONTACT Matt Hodson Associate Commissioner for Public Relations E: mhodson@wcha.com O: 952.818.8872 M: 612.801.2808 |
| Â MORE INFORMATION Website: wcha.com Twitter: @wcha_mhockey Facebook: facebook.com/wchahockey |
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