WCHA Preseason Polls Announced, Willets Named To All-Preseason Team
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) announced the results of the 2020-21 WCHA Preseason Poll and Awards with Ferris State University sophomore defenseman Jake Willets being tabbed to the All-WCHA Preseason team.
The Bulldogs finished eighth in the WCHA Media Poll (33 points), trailing Alaska by 7 points. The results were:
- Minnesota State (100)
- Bemidji State (89)
- Bowling Green (76)
- Northern Michigan (68)
- Michigan Tech (67)
- Lake Superior State (44)
- Alaska (40)
- Ferris State (33)
- Alaska Anchorage (21)
- Alabama Huntsville (12)
Willets, a sophomore blueliner, finished second in voting on the WCHA Media preseason team with six votes, trailing only Bemidji State's Elias Rosén.
Preseason Media All-WCHA Team
F Griffin Loughran (Jr., Northern Michigan)
F Connor Ford (Sr., Bowling Green)
F Owen Sillinger (Jr., Bemidji State)
D Elias Rosen (So., Bemidji State)
D Jake Willets (So., Ferris State)
G Dryden McKay (Jr., Minnesota State)
The Erie, Mich., native led Ferris State with 22 points on three goals and 19 assists with 53 shots on goal in his freshmen campaign, finishing second among returning WCHA defensemen in scoring. Willets became the second consecutive freshman defensemen to lead the Bulldogs in scoring, following Cooper Zech (2018-19). Freshmen goaltender Logan Stein received a media vote for All-WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year as well.
The Bulldogs return their top two point scorers from a year ag, and finished with the 18th-ranked recruiting class in the nation, one of the highest finishes in program history.
Ferris State is set to open its season at Lake Superior State on Friday, Nov. 27, at Taffey Abel Arena in non-conference action in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.