The Wisconsin women’s hockey team was picked to finish second in the WCHA by the league’s coaches today.
The Badgers earned 42 points and a first-place vote in the preseason coaches poll, while Border Battle rival and two-time defending national champion Minnesota earned 49 points and seven first-place votes.
North Dakota was third in the poll and Ohio State fourth.
UW senior goaltender and team captain Alex Rigsby was second in the Preseason Player of the Year vote, earning three votes. Minnesota sophomore Hannah Brandt was named the league’s top preseason player with five votes.
The Badgers open the 2013-14 season Monday, Sept. 23, with an exhibition against Team Japan at LaBahn Arena.