ADRIAN, Mich. — The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) announced the results of the 2025-26 Men’s Hockey Coaches’ Preseason Poll, and it reveals a competitive landscape. St. Norbert claims the top position in the poll, but not without challenge, as Aurora and Adrian also received first-place votes.
St. Norbert earned 96 points and seven first-place votes, reflecting strong confidence from the league’s coaches. Aurora followed in second with 85 points and two first-place votes, while Adrian secured the third slot with 81 points and one first-place vote. Trine rounds out the top four, just six points behind Adrian.
MSOE (56 points) and Concordia Wisconsin (47 points) came in fifth and sixth, whiel Lawrence (31 points) and Marian (31 points) tied for seventh in the poll. Lake Forest (24 points) and Dubuque (22 points) completed the preseason poll.
The regular season is scheduled to begin Friday, October 31, with all teams opening with non-conference matchups. NCHA play officially tips off on Friday, November 7 with the entire league competing throughout the weekend.
As always, the NCHA regular season standings will determine the eight teams that qualify for the Harris Cup Playoffs. The tournament champion receives the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship.
| Team |
Points |
| 1. St. Norbert |
96 (7) |
| 2. Aurora |
85 (2) |
| 3. Adrian |
81 (1) |
| 4. Trine |
77 |
| 5. MSOE |
56 |
| 6. Concordia Wisconsin |
47 |
| t7. Lawrence |
31 |
| t7. Marian |
31 |
| 9. Lake Forest |
24 |
| 10. Dubuque |
22 |
() - First-place votes