MSU received 25 of 63 first place votes from the media and six of 12 first place votes from the coaches. Miami bested the Spartans by one point in the coaches poll, while the Spartans held a 34-point edge in the media poll.

But MSU head coach Rick Comley doesn’t put much stock into the poll, considering how tough the league is and how Notre Dame came out of nowhere last season to capture both the regular season and tournament championship.

“I think you could take that poll, either one of them, and turn them sideways,” he said. “Because from what I’ve seen, every game is a one-goal game and you have no idea who’s going to win on a given night.

“You better play well every night or you’re going to lose hockey games.”

The Spartans placed two players on the preseason All-Conference teams, as junior goaltender Jeff Lerg was named to the first team and junior forward Tim Kennedy was named to the second team.

Miami had three players named to the first team and look to have a solid core of players coming back, including senior forward Nathan Davis, who had 50 points last season and, along with Lerg, was one of two players to receive 11 first place votes on the Preseason All-Conference team.

“We’re excited and looking forward to the season,” Miami head coach Enrico Blasi said. “We feel that the leadership and commitment displayed by our returning players will give us an opportunity to compete in a very competitive league day in and day out.”

In-state rival Michigan was picked to finish fourth in both polls and received four first place votes in the media poll, surprising for a team that is so young heading into the season.

The Spartans and Wolverines won’t meet until Dec. 29 at the earliest in the Great Lakes Invitational, but if that doesn’t materialize, the first game between the two schools will be Jan. 25 in Ann Arbor.

A warm welcome

Every coach was quick to welcome new Alaska head coach Doc DelCastillo to the league at the beginning of their comments.

DelCastillo, an assistant for five years at Nebraska-Omaha, says it’s “a privilege and an honor” to be coaching in the CCHA.

DelCastillo’s ex-boss, Nebraska-Omaha head coach Mike Kemp, couldn’t be happier for his former charge.

“As a coach, for me, it’s with great pride that I see Doc move on and have this opportunity that he’s wanted for so long,” Kemp said.

“One of the goals I’ve had as a coach is to see that we help our staff move to positions that they desire.

“It’s a great opportunity for him, but I only wish it wasn’t a team we have to play four times a year because I know he’s going to be a tough competitor.”

Now, DelCastillo is transitioning to his new life in Alaska. It’s going well, except for one problem: He’s now a home-owner in two states.

“If you got inside a tornado and stayed inside a tornado for three months, that’s what my life’s been like since June,” DelCastillo said. “I know this: It’ll be the hardest move of my life and I’ve moved quite a bit.”