2012-13 Pre-preseason Poll

[Aaron M. Griffin]

INCH published its 10 for 13. Cornell is ranked seventh. Union is ranked fourth. Possible MSG opponent, Michigan, is ranked second. No other OOC opponents for Cornell appear in the top ten.

7. Cornell
If the Big Red had been able to score on a crucial power play in the NCAA Midwest Regional final, it would have been Cornell instead of Ferris State in the Frozen Four. That near miss may serve as motivation, as it was a Big Red team that was still a year or two away from being its best. Standout goalie Iles will back a lineup that lost just four regulars among its 18 skaters, including eight of its nine leading scorers from the 2011-12 campaign. If last year's stellar freshman class that included Brian Ferlin, Joakim Ryan, John McCarron, Joel Lowry and Cole Bardreau can take steps forward, this team will be a legitimate threat to Union's reign atop ECAC Hockey and a player in the national picture.

I thought it was so nice for INCH to do the Our-Trophy-Case-Is-Not-Empty-Anymore Happy Dance for Union with that statement. INCH has lost all historical perspective, much like Union fans. Union has been in the ECAC for just over two decades. Union has won two Jell-O Molds and one Whitelaw in that span. Sad that we're relegated to supporting a program that is only occasionally "a legitimate threat to Union's reign atop ECAC Hockey" with amassing three Jell-O Molds and five championships over the same period.

I might make too much of this. Maybe I should not complain or point out their foolishness. The emergence of this undeserved attitude from Union makes me relish each time that Cornell beats them. It adds a deeper level of personal investment to another intraconference series that only the Harvard and Yale series equal or surpass.

2. Michigan
The returning cast is talented and deep, but it's the newcomers who'll draw the most attention from Wolverines fans early. U.S. NDTP defenseman Jacob Trouba is a sure-fire first-round pick in next month's NHL Draft and could be among the first 10 players selected. Forward Cristoval "Boo" Nieves is a talented forward from the New England prep ranks likely to be chosen in the draft's first two rounds. Then there's U.S. NTDP goalie Jared Rutledge, the heir apparent to Shawn Hunwick.

4. Union
Within the ECAC Hockey ranks, last year's performance by Union didn't come as much of a surprise, but it certainly marked a bump in Union's national profile. There are some key departures to address, most notably Welsh and his goal-scoring and defensemen Julseth-White and his leadership. However, there's enough talent returning for the Dutchmen to make another run toward the Frozen Four and remain among the top-ranked teams in the country all season long. Hobey Baker finalist Grosenick returns in net and will have 10 forwards and five defensemen of the team's regular lineup last year back in front of him.

[KeithK]

You're making way too much of the Union thing. Union has finished first two years running and is the defending league champion. Referring to their "reign atop the league" is standard sports journalism.

[Robb]

You're making way too much of the Union thing. Union has finished first two years running and is the defending league champion. Referring to their "reign atop the league" is standard sports journalism.

Agree.  Defending = reigning, as far as I'm concerned.

[Aaron M. Griffin]

You're making way too much of the Union thing. Union has finished first two years running and is the defending league champion. Referring to their "reign atop the league" is standard sports journalism.

Agree.  Defending = reigning, as far as I'm concerned.

Probably right, but their fans at AC and online are annoying. The Union Hockey Blog is not too bad, but the rest give what little fanbase they have a bad name.

[jtn27]

They're the defending champs and made it to the Frozen Four. They've earned the right to be considered at the top of the league, at least on a year to year basis.

[French Rage]

You're making way too much of the Union thing. Union has finished first two years running and is the defending league champion. Referring to their "reign atop the league" is standard sports journalism.

Agree.  Defending = reigning, as far as I'm concerned.

Probably right, but their fans at AC and online are annoying. The Union Hockey Blog is not too bad, but the rest give what little fanbase they have a bad name.

Like one on USCHO who said they were likely to dominate the ECAC for a decade or more...

[KeithK]

You're making way too much of the Union thing. Union has finished first two years running and is the defending league champion. Referring to their "reign atop the league" is standard sports journalism.

Agree.  Defending = reigning, as far as I'm concerned.

Probably right, but their fans at AC and online are annoying. The Union Hockey Blog is not too bad, but the rest give what little fanbase they have a bad name.

You're overly sensitive to it because (some portion of) their fans are obnoxious and lack perspective. That's understandable.

Don't worry. The Woofing Gods are listening.

[Trotsky]

Like one on USCHO who said they were likely to dominate the ECAC for a decade or more...

This is normal for young fans of a team that makes a sudden jump to the top of the league.  They literally have no historical perspective and they've seen their team do better every year they've been fans.  Of course it's going to continue on forever.  What could possibly go wrong?