Week 1 Hockey Release

• Big Ten Hockey begins its second decade with all seven teams in action this weekend. The official start to the 2023-24 NCAA season finds Big Ten schools taking on opponents from four different conferences plus a pair of independents. Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Wisconsin open at home Saturday while Ohio State and Penn State travel east. Last year the The Big Ten compiled the best nonconference record in the country with a 55-21-3 (.715) ledger.

• The Big Ten recently announced its preseason all-conference teams and coaches poll. Preseason honors were bestowed upon the following players:

PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN
FIRST TEAM
F Gavin Brindley, So., MICH
F Jimmy Snuggerud, So., MINN
F Stephen Halliday, So., OSU
D Seamus Casey, So., MICH
D Luke Mittelstadt, So., MINN
G Ryan Bischel, Gr., ND

SECOND TEAM
F Rutger McGroarty, So., MICH
F Frank Nazar III, So., MICH
F Bryce Brodzinski, Gr., MINN
D Mike Koster, Sr., MINN
D Drew Bavaro, Sr., ND
G Justen Close, Gr., MINN

HONORABLE MENTION
F Dylan Duke, Jr., MICH
F Joey Larson, So., MSU
F Landon Slaggert, Sr., ND
D Ryan Chesley, So., MINN
D Jimmy Dowd Jr., Sr., PSU
G Trey Augustine, Fr., MSU

• In the Coaches Poll, Minnesota was picked to three-peat as Big Ten Champions. The Gophers, who set records for conference wins and points in a season, reached the NCAA Championship game last spring. Michigan received the second most votes following a year in which the Wolverines won the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four. Michigan State was tabbed to finish third, followed by Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State.

• Big Ten Hockey will appear on national television 28 times this season with Big Ten Network broadcasting 27 contests, including six doubleheaders. BTN will also carry the semifinals and championship game of the Big Ten Tournament. All games not televised by BTN will be available on B1G+, BTN’s home for non-televised events and on-demand archives.

• Sixteen players with ties to the Big Ten were selected in the 2023 National Hockey League Draft over the summer. In that group were three first-rounders. Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Fantilli, who played at Michigan last season, went third overall to Columbus while Minnesota freshman Oliver Moore was selected 19th by Chicago and Wisconsin sophomore Charlie Stramel tabbed 21st by Minnesota. Last year 54 NHL Draft picks took to the ice for Big Ten teams.

• The Big Ten has made a concerted effort the past few seasons to keep game delays to a minimum and the results have been noticeable. Last year, Big Ten home games averaged 2 hours and 11 minutes in length compared to the national average of 2 hours and 39 minutes. A total of 22 Big Ten contests finished in under two hours, with the shortest being an hour and 48 minutes.