The following is quoted from the Minnesota Daily, student newspaper of the University of Minnesota: WCHA COACHES SELECT GOPHERS AS TOP DOG Five of the WCHA's nine coaches have predicted that the Gophers will be the class of the league in 1991-92. According to the 21st annual Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald WCHA Coaches' Poll released Monday, a majority of conference skippers rate Minnesota's chances slightly ahead of defending champion Northern Michigan to win the league title. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their teams. If history is any indication, that might not be good news for Gopher coach Doug Woog and his team, who open the regular season Friday at University of Minnesota-Duluth. The coaches have correctly picked the league champion only five times in the previous 20 polls. As if that distinction doesn't put enough pressure to perform upon the Gophers' shoulders, freshman forward Darby Hendrickson was selected by the coaches as their preseason pick for the leagues' top newcomer. WCHA COACHES POLL RESULTS Coaches rank their placement of each team as follows: First place--14 points, Second--12, Third--10, Fourth--8, Fifth--6, Sixth--4, Seventh--2, Eighth--1. Rank Team Score 1 Minnesota 106 2 Northern Michigan 104 3 Wisconsin 76 4 North Dakota 74 5 Minnesota-Duluth 46 St. Cloud State 46 7 Michigan Tech 29 8 Colorado College 19 9 Denver 13