Beavers picked second in Preseason Coaches’ Poll; First in Media Poll

Defending MacNaughton Cup Champ Beavers voted second in Preseason CCHA Coaches’ Poll

As the start of the new 2024-25 season approaches, the latest editions of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Preseason Polls have been announced by the league Thursday morning.

The defending MacNaughton Cup Champion Bemidji State University Men’s Hockey team was voted in a tie for second in the CCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll while voted to tie for first in the CCHA Preseason Media Poll.

The Beavers earned 69 points and three first-place votes in the poll voted upon by league coaches (coaches cannot vote for their own team) and 107 points (five first-place votes) in the media poll.

Bemidji State finished four points back off first-place University of St. Thomas and was tied with Michigan Technological University for second in the coaches’ poll while the Beavers tied for first with the Tommies in the media poll.

2024-25 CCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. St. Thomas 73 (3)
2. Bemidji State 69 (3)
Michigan Tech 69 (2)
4. Minnesota State 59 (1)
5. Bowling Green 50
6. Lake Superior State 46
Augustana 46
8. Ferris State 28
9. Northern Michigan 26

2024-25 CCHA Preseason Media Poll
1. Bemidji State 107 (5)
St. Thomas 107 (4)
3. Minnesota State 94 (2)
4. Michigan Tech 92 (1)
5. Bowling Green 63
6. Lake Superior State 60
7. Augustana 52
8. Northern Michigan 40
9. Ferris State 33

Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore returns for his 24th season leading the Beaver Men’s Hockey program. He has retained 18 letterwinners from the MacNaughton Cup championship season including six of his top 10 scorers. He has added 10 newcomers to the squad including experienced transfers Carter Randklev, A.J. Macaulay and Reilly Funk.

Bemidji State officially begins its 2024-25 season Saturday, Oct. 5 with a short road trip to Duluth, Minn., for one game against the Bulldogs at AMSOIL Arena. Puck drop is slated for 5:07 p.m. The Beavers make their Sanford Center debut Saturday Oct. 12 against St. Cloud State University.