Maverick Men’s Hockey Tabbed Second in CCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll
DEEPHAVEN, Minn. – Minnesota State men’s hockey was selected to finish second in the 2025-26 CCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, announced by the conference office on Monday (Sept. 15). St. Thomas topped the poll with 72 points (three first place votes) followed by Minnesota State (71 pts., four first place votes), Michigan Tech (59 pts., two first place votes) and Augustana (59 pts.).
On the preseason All-CCHA team were junior defenseman Evan Murr (Stillwater, Minn.) and senior goaltender Alex Tracy (Chicago, Ill.). Murr was CCHA Defenseman of the Year in 2024-25, as well as a Krampade All-American Scholar. He played 39 games and scored seven goals with 20 assists (first among CCHA defensemen).
Tracy enters his senior year after a historic 2024-25 campaign, which included a Hobey Baker Top-10 finalist, Mike Richter Award Finalist, CCHA Player of the Year, CCHA Goaltender of the Year, and AHCA/CCM All-American Second Team awards. He led the nation in goals against average (1.424) and save percentage (.946) and started 39 games, playing 2317:05 minutes (third in the nation).
Last winter, the Mavericks finished 27-9-3 overall under second-year head coach Luke Strand, including 18-5-3 in the CCHA. MSU brought the MacNaughton Cup and Mason Cup back to Mankato with CCHA Regular Season and Tournament Championships. The season ended at the NCAA Fargo Regional Semifinals with a 2-1 double-overtime loss to eventual national champion Western Michigan on March 27. Last fall, the Mavericks were projected to finish fourth in the CCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
This year, the team begins its season on the road with non-conference series at Omaha (Oct. 10-11) and Wisconsin (Oct. 16-17), followed by the home opener on Friday, October 24, against RPI. The Mavericks start CCHA play at St. Thomas on Oct. 31 at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul
