Wolverines ranked #2 in preseason poll
September 27, 2004

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine has released their preseason college hockey Top 15 poll and the Michigan Wolverines are ranked #2 behind Boston College, despite having more first place votes.

The Wolverines garnered 16 first place votes and 441 points, while the Eagles snagged 9 first place votes and 449 points.

North Dakota comes in at #3, followed by NCAA runner-up Maine at #4.

The WCHA takes the next four spots with Minnesota-Duluth, Wisconsin, defending NCAA champion Denver, and Minnesota.

Michigan State is ranked #9, followed by New Hampshire, Dartmouth, Colorado College, Ohio State, Cornell, and UMass-Lowell.

Miami (Ohio), Notre Dame, and Northern Michigan also received votes.

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Skate with the Wolverines
From MGoBlue.com

Fans will get the chance to skate with the 2004-05 University of Michigan ice hockey team following the annual Blue-White Intrasquad Game on Sunday (Oct. 3) at Yost Ice Arena. The Dekers Blue Line Club hosts the Blue-White contest, which is also sponsored by the U-M Credit Union. Immediately following the 5 p.m. game, the annual Skate with the Wolverines will take place, offering fans an opportunity to meet and get autographs from the players.

Tickets for the Blue-White Intrasquad Game are $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and under. Michigan students can get tickets for $5 with a valid M-Card. Advance tickets will be on sale online at MGoBlue.com until Friday (Oct. 1) at noon. Tickets will also be available at the door. All tickets are good for general admission, and proceeds from the event will benefit the Michigan Hockey Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Following the Blue-White Intrasquad Game, fans will get a chance to meet and get autographs from the Wolverines on the ice during the Skate with the Wolverines. Skates will be required to go onto the ice, and the Yost Ice Arena Skate Shop will offer skate rentals for $1.

The Wolverines conduct their first official on-ice practice on Saturday (Oct. 2) and take on the University of Windsor in an exhibition game the same day at 7:35 p.m. at Yost Ice Arena. Michigan opens its regular season on Friday, Oct. 8, when it faces off against Northeastern in the third annual Lefty McFadden Invitational in Dayton, Ohio.

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International Scouting Service preliminary Top 10 for 2005 NHL Entry Draft
September 25, 2004

The International Scouting Service has released their preliminary Top 10 list for the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and defensive recruit Jack Johnson is ranked #4.

The blue-chipper from Minnesota currently plays for the U.S. Under-18 Team in Ann Arbor. He's a smooth skating defenseman who will join a rush but also protects his own end of the ice.

If you can't make it over to the Cube to watch him play, Johnson, along with several other U-M recruits, will face the Wolverines at Yost February 26 of next year.

Notably absent from the list is forward Andrew Cogliano. Considered Ontario's top prospect, Cogliano is playing another season in the Ontario Provincial Junior 'A' Hockey League with St. Mike's before joining the Wolverines next fall. He has been dominate in Juniors and International play, often outscoring other player ranked higher than him. Nearly every list that I've seen (fan and scouting) has had him as a Top 10 pick for the draft.

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I'll be working some on the website this week to get most of the important stuff geared up and ready to go for the season.

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/