OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The McKendree University men's Division I hockey team has been tabbed to finish fifth in the Preseason Midwest College Hockey (MCH) Coaches' Poll that was released Thursday afternoon.
 
In the Preseason MCH Coaches' Poll, McKendree earned 14 points to sit seven points in front of sixth place Northern Illinois (7 points) and four points behind fourth place Waldorf (18 points).
 
Jamestown, who is the newest member of the MCH, was tabbed as the preseason favorite as they earned 35 of 36 possible points from the MCH coaches and also earned five of the six first place votes. Jamestown is playing in the MCH for the first time this season.
 
Midland was tabbed second as they earned the other first place votes and 28 points, while Illinois State was third with 24 points.
 
Last season, McKendree posted a 6-18-0 overall record and a 5-12-0 mark in the MCH.
 
The Bearcats, who are coached by Garry Henson, will open its 2022-23 campaign on Friday, Sept. 16 with an 8:15 p.m. game in Chesterfield, Mo., against Maryville University. The two teams will play again on Saturday, Sept. 17 as the Bearcats host the Saints for a 7 p.m. at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex in O'Fallon, Ill.
 
2022 MCH PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
 

Rank, Team (First Place Votes)	Points
1. Jamestown (5)	35
2. Midland (Neb.) (1)	28
3. Illinois State	24
4. Waldorf (Iowa)	18
5. McKendree	14
6. Northern Illinois	7