Colorado College is selected to finish sixth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Preseason Media Poll, announced by the league office on Wednesday.

The Tigers received 159 points overall in the media poll and were picked to finish behind defending national champion Denver (304, 14 first-place votes), North Dakota (302, 12 first-place votes), Minnesota Duluth (273, 7 first-place votes), Western Michigan (237) and Miami (175). Rounding out the poll was St. Cloud State (121), newcomer St. Thomas (102), Arizona State (73) and Omaha (69).

This season, Colorado College returns 81% of its scoring from last season, including its top returning scorers, senior Klavs Veinbergs and junior Owen Beckner, who each posted 23 points in '25-26.
 
In addition, the entire defensive corps is back, including 2024-25 second-team all-NCHC defenseman and 2025-26 team captain Max Burkholder, who returns after playing just three games last season.
 
Six newcomers join the team, including a pair of third-round NHL draft picks, forward Zach Olsen (Toronto Maple Leafs in 2026) and goalie Michal Pradel (Detroit Red Wings in 2025).

The Tigers open the 2026-27 season with a weekend series against UMass at Ed Robson Arena, Oct. 2-3.
 
2026-27 NCHC Preseason Media Poll

1. Denver, 304 points (14 first-place votes)
2. North Dakota, 302 (12)
3. Minnesota Duluth, 273 (7)
4. Western Michigan, 237
5. Miami, 175
6. Colorado College, 159
7. St. Cloud State, 121
8. St. Thomas, 102
9. Arizona State, 73
10. Omaha, 69