WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University women's ice hockey team earned a top-ten ranking in the DIIIHockeyNews.com Preseason Poll, being picked eighth as announced by the organization on Sunday.

The DIIIHockeyNews weekly Top-15 poll consists of 20 voters ranging from D-III Hockey Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Sports Information Directors (SIDs), Broadcasters, and Media Members.

Wilkes comes off a program-best 25 wins in 2025-26, winning its second consecutive MAC title and its first-ever NCAA Tournament game over Adrian College. The Colonels will bring back a majority of its talent, including All-American and MAC Offensive Player of the Year Haylee Bouchard (Sioux Lookout, ON/) (17 goals, 36 assists) and All-American Nina Hudakova (Košice, Slovakia/Hoosac Prep School) (22 goals, 25 assists), along with All-MAC selections Hannah Franz (North Bay, ON) (four goals, 14 assists) and goaltender Audrey Milne (London, ON/) (1.20 GAA, .947 save percentage).

The full poll can be found in the full release here.

The Colonels open their MAC title defense at the Toyota SportsPlex on Friday, Nov. 6 against Alvernia University at 6:30 p.m.