NATIONAL COLLEGIATE HOCKEY CONFERENCE 1631 Mesa Avenue, Suite C Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Phone: 719-203-6818 Fax: 719-645-8206 www.NCHCHockey.com Director of Communications: Michael Weisman • O: 719-694-9924 • C: 513-310-4869 • [email protected] Monday, November 23, 2020 For Immediate Release North Dakota Picked to Repeat as Penrose Cup Champions in 2020 NCHC Preseason Poll UND earns 27 of 28 first-place votes from media; Denver, UMD round out top three

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After hoisting the Penrose Cup as NCHC regular-season champions in 2019-20, North Dakota has been selected to do the same in 2020-21, as the Fighting Hawks topped the 2020 National Collegiate Hockey Conference Preseason Media Poll, revealed Monday.

North Dakota received 27 of a possible 28 first-place votes, totaling 223 points to sit comfortably in first in the poll. Denver was tabbed to finish as the runner-up in the NCHC, garnering the lone other first-place vote in the poll, while compiling 185 points. Min- nesota Duluth (173 points) claimed the third spot 12 points back of DU. St. Cloud State came in fourth in the Preseason Poll with 126 points, 10 more than fifth-place Western Michigan. Omaha landed sixth in the poll with 96 points, while (45 points) edged Miami (44) by a point for seventh place in the Preseason Poll.

The Fighting Hawks captured the program’s third Penrose Cup to close the 2019-20 campaign and would become the only NCHC team to win it four times if UND repeats as NCHC regular-season champions. North Dakota was also the preseason favorite in 2014- 15 and 2016-17, with UND proving the media correct in 2014-15, the only time the NCHC preseason favorite has won the Penrose Cup. Minnesota Duluth topped the NCHC Preseason Poll each of the last two seasons.

UND returns 19 letterwinners from last season’s team that went 17-4-3-2 in conference play, including Hobey Hat Trick finalist and senior forward and 2019-20 NCHC Rookie of the Year . North Dakota also added two NHL draft picks to its blue line, while bringing back senior Matt Kiersted, who garnered Second-Team All-NCHC last season.

Despite losing 10 letterwinners, the Pioneers have 16 letterwinners coming back to Denver this season after placing third in the NCHC in 2019-20. DU has nine NHL draft picks on its roster after bringing in four NHL prospects as freshmen this season. Denver also has plenty of experience with eight seniors on the squad and sophomore forward Bobby Brink, who earned NCHC All-Rookie Team hon- ors a season ago.

UMD has 18 letterwinners returning in 2020-21, and added eight newcomers, including two transfers and three NHL draft picks. The Bulldogs have eight NHL prospects on their roster this season, including All-American forwards and juniors Noah Cates and Cole Koepke. Minnesota Duluth was the runner-up in the NCHC last season, but lost six letterwinners, including Hobey Baker winner and two-time NCHC of the Year Hunter Shepard.

St. Cloud State is second among all NCHC teams with 20 letterwinners back in 2020-21, after placing fifth a season ago. The Huskies return Second-Team All-NCHC senior goaltender David Hrenak in net, and boast four NHL draft picks on their roster. Right behind SCSU in the Preseason Poll, the Broncos finished fourth in the NCHC last season, but saw six players sign NHL contracts during the offseason. WMU returns 16 letterwinners from 2019-20 and add 11 freshmen to the mix.

Omaha leads all NCHC squads with 21 letterwinners back this year and was predicted to finish in the same spot as last season – sixth place. Colorado College, which placed last in 2019-20, adds 14 newcomers to its 16 returning letterwinners, while Miami, which was seventh a year ago, has 18 returning letterwinners and 10 newcomers.

A total of 28 ballots were submitted by local media members from each school, as well as select national media. Points were award- ed on a descending scale with a first-place vote worth eight points, a second-place vote worth seven points and so on.

@TheNCHC | #NCHCHockey /TheNCHC @TheNCHC TheNCHC NCHC.tv The 2020-21 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team, as selected by media, will be revealed on Tuesday.

The NCHC will begin the 2020-21 season in the Pod in Omaha, Neb., where all eight teams will compete from Dec. 1-20, playing 10 games each. Fans can watch all 40 games in the Pod anywhere in the world with a subscription to NCHC.tv.

2020-21 NCHC Preseason Media Poll 1. North Dakota – 223 points (27 first-place votes) 2. Denver – 185 (1) 3. Minnesota Duluth - 173 4. St. Cloud State - 126 5. Western Michigan -116 6. Omaha - 96 7. Colorado College - 45 8. Miami – 44

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