UND received 110 points and one first-place vote, trailing only defending WCHA regular season champion Minnesota, which received 11 of the 12 first-place votes.
UND freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi was named the league's preseason rookie of the year after receiving seven votes. Grimaldi received the same honor in last season's poll before missing all but four games due to a knee injury. He will retain his freshman status for the 2012-13 season.
UND will open the season with exhibition games against Manitoba (Oct. 6) and the U.S. Under-18 Team (Oct. 12) before kicking off the regular season Oct. 19-20 at the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tournament in Fairbanks.
GRAND FORKS HERALD WCHA COACHES POLL
(Points, 1st place votes)
1. Minnesota, 121 (11)
2. North Dakota, 110 (1)
3. Denver, 91
4. St. Cloud State, 90
5. Wisconsin, 70
6. Minnesota Duluth, 69
7. Colorado College, 56
8. Nebraska Omaha, 51
Michigan Tech, 51
10. Minnesota State, 37
11. Bemidji State, 31
12. Alaska Anchorage, 15
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Nick Bjugstad, F, Minnesota (8 votes)
Others receiving votes: Mark Zengerle, F, Wisconsin (2); Matt White, F, Nebraska Omaha (1); Ben Hanowski, F, St. Cloud State (1)
PRESEASON ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Rocco Grimaldi, F, North Dakota (7 votes)
Others receiving votes: Mike Reilly, D, Minnesota (3); Nic Kerdiles, F, Wisconsin (1), Andrew Welinski, D, Minnesota Duluth (1)
