Coaches Pick Gophers Hockey Team To Win Big Ten

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota is the Big Ten favorite in a preseason poll of the conference's hockey coaches.

The Gophers also lead the league with four players on the Big Ten Watch List announced Monday.

Justin Kloos, Jake Bischoff, Leon Bristedt and Eric Schierhorn represent Minnesota on the 13-player list. Koos and Schierhorn were two of four unanimous selections by Big Ten coaches.

The Gophers are coming off their third consecutive Big Ten regular-season title. Minnesota enters this year's schedule as preseason favorite in the Big Ten, followed by Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State.

Minnesota opens the 2016-17 season Oct. 7 against Alaska Anchorage and plays Alaska Oct. 9. Both games will be played in Anchorage. The Gophers' regular-season home opener is against St. Cloud State on Oct. 21.

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