Western Collegiate Hockey Association coaches picked Colorado College to repeat as regular-season champion in the annual WCHA preseason poll conducted by the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald, with the Tigers receiving eight of 10 first-place votes.
The Capital Times of Madison, Wis., conducted a media WCHA poll for the first time and the two polls agree on the top five: No. 1 CC, No. 2 North Dakota and No. 3 Denver, with Minnesota and Wisconsin tying for fourth. CC sophomore goalie Richard Bachman is the coaches’ preseason player of the year. CC senior center Chad Rau got the media nod as player of the year. The coaches picked North Dakota forward Jason Gregoire as freshman of the year. DU’s prized recruit, center Joe Colborne, was the media’s choice.
New coordinator for Crush.
The Arena Football League’s Colorado Crush hired Tommy Johnson as its defensive coordinator.
Johnson was head coach of the Louisville Fire in af2 the last five seasons and led the team to the league championship game in 2005. He is a former Alabama cornerback and played for Crush head coach Mike Dailey with the Albany Firebirds.
UNC player honored for helping hand.
Northern Colorado’s Michael Van Portfliet, a sophomore defensive back from Regis Jesuit High School, was one of 22 student-athletes selected for the Good Works Team that recognizes college players for their off-field contributions. The award is sponsored by Allstate Insurance and the American Football Coaches Association.
