(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON, Wis. – The WCHA announced its Preseason Coaches Poll this Monday, with the Wisconsin women’s hockey team picked to finish first in the conference. Senior Caroline Harvey was named the WCHA Preseason Player of the Year, while freshman Adéla Šapovalivová was chosen as the WCHA Rookie of the Year. Senior Kirsten Simms was named to the All-WCHA preseason team along with Harvey.
Wisconsin earned 49 points and the top spot on the preseason poll, with 2025 Frozen Four participants Minnesota and Ohio State tied for second place at 40 points apiece. Minnesota Duluth was picked to finish fourth, with 31 points. St. Cloud State is ranked fifth with 24 points, while St. Thomas is ranked sixth at 17 points. Minnesota State-Mankato was selected as seventh at 16 points, with Bemidji State in eighth place with 7 points.
Caroline Harvey, who served as captain last season, collected 63 points in her 2024-25 All-American season. She is a two-time WCHA Defender of the Year, and has recorded 137 points in her career – the most by any Badger defender.
Freshman Adéla Šapovalivová was a member of Czechia’s 2024, 2023, and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Champions teams. Šapovalivová was also picked as the Best Forward at the 2024 U18 Women’s World Championship.
Joined by Harvey on the Preseason All-WCHA team is Kirsten Simms, who scored the game-winning goal at the 2025 NCAA Championship. Simms notched 72 points last season, second in the country to her teammate, and Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner, Casey O’Brien. Senior Laila Edwards and junior Ava McNaughton also received votes for forward and goaltender, respectively.
The Badgers begin their season Sept. 26 and 27 in Bemidji. The team then returns to LaBahn for the first time in the 2025-26 season with a two-game series against Maine on Oct. 3 and 4.
2025-26 WCHA Coaches Poll
Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Points
- Wisconsin(7) 49 points
T2. Minnesota 40
T2. Ohio State 40
- Minnesota Duluth 31
- St. Cloud State 24
- St. Thomas 17
- Minnesota State 16
- Bemidji State 7
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