MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin's men's hockey snuck into the USCHO men's preseason hockey rankings.

The Badgers for this week are 20th. The team received 78 votes this week. Other teams that barely missed the poll were Colorado College (68 votes), Clarkson (64), Northeastern (23), UMass Lowell (23), and Minnesota Duluth (19).

Wisconsin had a rough go of it last year, as they fell to a 13-21 record (7-16-1 in conference), after a successful first-year under head coach Mike Hastings. But, the Badgers return key starters Quinn Finley, Jack Phelan, Joe Palodichuk, and Owen Lindmark.

Wisconsin opens their season on Friday Oct. 3. at Lindenwood. The Badgers first official home game is Thursday, Oct. 16. against Minnesota State.

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