Here's the annual WCHA coaches' poll, with the related article from the
Minnesota Daily.  The St. Paul Pioneer Press noted that the poll has
correctly predicted the WCHA champion 6 out of the last 22 years.
 
   1. Wisconsin (9)      144
   2. Minnesota (1)      116
   3. Northern Michigan  112
   4. Denver              96
   5. Michigan Tech       86
   6. Minnesota-Duluth    58
   7. North Dakota        47
   8. Colorado College    38
   9. St Cloud            19
  10. Alaska-Anchorage    10
 
Headline: WCHA coaches poll picks Badgers ahead of Gophers
Publish Date: 10/13/1993
 
By David Jackson
 
<W0I>Staff Reporter
 
The annual WCHA coaches poll was released Tuesday, and the Gopher
hockey team was picked to finish second to Wisconsin.
 
The Badgers received nine of 10 first-place votes and 144 total
points. Badger coach Jeff Sauer, unable to vote for his own team,
cast the lone first-place vote for the Gophers.
 
Minnesota finished second with 116 points, just ahead of third-place
Northern Michigan, with 112 points. The Wildcats were followed by
Denver, Michigan Tech, Minnesota-Duluth, North Dakota, Colorado
College, St. Cloud State and new member Alaska-Anchorage.
 
``Wisconsin is obviously the dominant team. They're a real adult
team, a real mature team,'' Gopher coach Doug Woog said.
 
Gopher freshman Nick Checco received one of the seven votes for
preseason rookie of the year. North Dakota's Landon Wilson, an Eden
Prairie native, and Denver's Erik Andersson each got two votes.
 
Woog said Checco's hockey skills help make up for the fact that he
doesn't have the Wilson's USHL experience or the Andersson's
international background.
 
``Nick works hard,'' Woog said. ``He's very competitive and has a lot
of speed.''
 
The coaches voted Michigan Tech goalie Jamie Ram the overwhelming
favorite for preseason league MVP. Minnesota will see Ram and the
Huskies firsthand Friday when they host the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Game at Mariucci Arena.
 
Woog says he's not surprised at the Gophers' finish in the poll and
Sauer tabbing them for first place.
 
``We're always there. If you have to bet show, Minnesota's always
there regardless of the obstacles,'' he said.