The preseason poll is out, and the hierarchy reads like a who's-who of women's college hockey royalty. Ohio State grabs the No. 1 spot, with Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota, and Northeastern rounding out a top five that screams October ambition.
What stands out isn't just the Buckeyes claiming the throne — it's the composition of this group. Three Big Ten programs in the top four tells you where the power corridor runs, while Penn State's No. 3 slot signals that the Nittany Lions aren't just knocking on the door anymore. They're standing in the foyer.
Northeastern carries the banner for the East at No. 5, keeping the Huskies firmly in the championship conversation. Every team here is 0-0, every locker room still believes, and every fan base knows the same truth: preseason polls are promises, not trophies. The real rankings start when the puck drops.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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