DEEPHAVEN, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's hockey team was picked to finish third in the CCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll and second in the media poll as announced by the CCHA on Sept. 14.

The Mavericks received 59 points and two first-place votes in the coaches' poll to secure the third spot in the poll. Michigan Tech topped the poll with 65 points and four first-place votes, with Bowling Green following in second with 62 points and two first-place votes. Augustana followed MSU in fourth place with 57 points.

In the media poll, the Mavericks received 113 points and six first-place votes to secure the second spot in the poll. Michigan Tech also topped the media poll with 116 points and four first-place votes, while Augustana came in third with 107 points and two first-place votes.

Senior Forward Luigi Benincasa and junior defenseman Will Skahan were named to the Preseason All-CCHA Team by the media. Last season, Benincasa played in all 40 games as he finished the season tied for second on the team in goals with 11, while ranking third on the team in points with 29. Skahan played in 61 games during the last two seasons at Boston College (Hockey East). He recorded three goals and five assists for eight points.

Last season, the Mavericks finished their season with a 22-11-7 overall record, including a 14-7-5 record in CCHA action. MSU secured the MacNaughton Cup with 51 points during the regular season, before winning the Mason Cup in the CCHA Playoffs. The Mavericks would go on to the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Western Michigan 3-1.

Minnesota State hosts Manitoba in an exhibition contest on Oct. 2 at 11:30 a.m., before opening its regular season schedule at home against Wisconsin on the weekend of Oct. 9-10. Puck drops are slated for 7:07 p.m., and 6:07 p.m. at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.