Penn State Hockey: Nittany Lions Top Big Ten Coaches Poll

Penn State hockey is the Big Ten favorite according to the conference preseason poll released on Monday afternoon.

The honor marks the first time Penn State has been ranked at the top of the preseason poll, the Nittany Lions have traditionally landed at the fourth spot in a seven team conference.

Penn State sits just ahead of Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Ohio State. Minnesota, Michigan and Michigan State round out the bottom three spots. The poll is voted on by conference coaches. 

The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 13 in the USCHO.com poll while Notre Dame rounds out the Big Ten at No. 9 while Ohio State and Wisconsin come in at No. 12 and No. 16 respectively, a slight disconnect from the Big Ten’s own rankings.

In terms of individual awards, forward Evan Barratt and Alex Limoges both took first-team preseason honors while defenseman Cole Hults picked up second team honors. Limoges and Liam Folkes both earned College Hockey News preseason honors earlier in the day.

Penn State hosts Ottawa this Sunday for an exhibition match before opening the season Oct.11 and 12th against Sacred Heart.

2019-20 Preseason All-Big Ten Hockey Team 
As selected by Big Ten coaches 
 
FIRST TEAM                        
Tanner Laczynski, F, Ohio State
Evan Barratt, F, Penn State
Alex Limoges, F, Penn State
Wyatt Kalynuk, D, Wisconsin
K’ANDRE MILLER, D, WISCONSIN
CALE MORRIS, G, NOTRE DAME
 
SECOND TEAM
Will Lockwood, F, Michigan
Mitchell Lewandowski, F, Michigan State
Sammy Walker, F, Minnesota
Dennis Cesana, D, Michigan State
Cole Hults, D, Penn State
Tommy Nappier, G, Ohio State
 
HONORABLE MENTION
Patrick Khodorenko, F, Michigan State
Cal Burke, F, Notre Dame
Cole Caufield, F, Wisconsin
Cam York, D, Michigan
Jerad Rosburg, D, Michigan State
Kris Myllari, D, Penn State
Hayden Lavigne, G, Michigan
 
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS