The Wisconsin men's hockey program will open the season ranked No. 13 in the nation, according to the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Preseason Poll, which was released yesterday.
The Badgers start this season ranked in the same spot that they ended last season at. Boston College, the Badgers' season-opening opponent, earned the top spot, followed by Michigan, Notre Dame, North Dakota and Colorado College.
The Badgers are one of six schools ranked from the WCHA, including No. 4 North Dakota, No. 5 Colorado College, No. 6 Denver, No. 9 Minnesota and No. 15 St. Cloud State.
The Badgers are scheduled to face 10 of the nation's top 15 teams as they are currently ranked. Those games make up 22 of the UW's 36 scheduled contests. The Badgers will open the season Friday, Oct. 10 at No. 1 Boston College. The Badgers travel to No. 7 New Hampshire the next night.
Listen / Download – Badger coach Mike Eaves on tough early schedule. :15