Coaches Pick Northern Michigan for Second Place
Northern Michigan University earns 84 points in the GLIAC preseason coaches poll to secure a second-place conference projection.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Hockey
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Coaches in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference have voted Northern Michigan University to finish second in the upcoming season. Grand Valley State received the top spot in the poll with 100 voting points.
Why it matters
The preseason ranking highlights expectations for the team as they look to build on their roster continuity, returning nine players from the previous year. This placement sets a benchmark for the squad under the direction of their coaching staff.
Northern Michigan University secured 84 voting points in the poll, trailing Grand Valley State, which earned 10 of 11 first-place votes for a total of 100 points.
The players
Northern Michigan University
This public university located in Marquette, Michigan, is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Casey Thousand
The coach has maintained a 53-23 record in GLIAC play over the course of four seasons.
Grand Valley State
This institution is a competing member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference that received 10 of 11 first-place votes.
The details
Northern Michigan University will face stiff competition in the conference, with Wisconsin-Parkside and Ferris State rounding out the top four with 76 and 75 points respectively. The university returns nine players this season to support their competitive effort.
Timeline
Friday, Oct 30, 2026: Northern Michigan University opens season against Central Missouri
Saturday, Oct 31, 2026: Northern Michigan University plays Truman State
Sunday, Nov 1, 2026: Northern Michigan University plays Minnesota State-Mankato
Season Trajectory
The GLIAC preseason coaches poll establishes a baseline expectation for team success before the season begins. These rankings reflect how the current roster, including nine returning players, is viewed relative to conference rivals.
The second-place projection suggests a high likelihood of contention for conference honors throughout the season. Players and staff will next test their ranking during the upcoming Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association Tip-Off Challenge in Wisconsin Dells.
The takeaway
Preseason polls offer an early look at how conference coaches view the competitive balance of the league. Fans should watch the opening tournament games to see if the team matches these initial expectations.
Further reading
For more on local university athletics, visit Hockey.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mining Journal.
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