Sept. 22, 2008

Complete USA Today Story and rankings

USA Today Rankings

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University men's ice hockey program will start the 2008-09 season just as they finished in 2007-08, in the Top 8 in the country.

USA Today and USA Hockey Magazine released their pre-season ice hockey polls on Monday, and Miami starts the season ranked at No. 8 for the second time in three years. Miami opened the 06-07 season ranked eighth and the 07-08 season ranked No. 4. Miami now has been ranked among the Top 8 in the country for 25-consecutive weeks, including No. 1 for 10 of those weeks. Miami comes off a record-breaking season in which it set a school high water mark for wins with 33. Over the past three seasons Miami has posted more wins and a better winning percentage than any other team in the country.

Defending national champion, Boston College opens the season as the No. 1 ranked team, receiving 27-of-34 first-place votes. This is the fifth time BC opens the season with the No. 1 ranking. Miami is not the only CCHA team among the Top 8 with Michigan coming in at No. 2 and 2008 NCAA runner-up Notre Dame coming in at No. 3.

Miami will have its first and only exhibition game in Oxford on Saturday, Oct. 4 against Ryerson. The RedHawks will open the regular season in Columbus vs. Ohio State Oct. 10.