ADRIAN, Mich. – The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) has unveiled their preseason coaches poll for the 2025-26 men's hockey season with Trine University selected to finish fourth.

The Thunder totaled 77 points in the poll to secure the fourth spot. St. Norbert College took the top spot with 96 points and seven of the first-place votes. Aurora University finished second with 85 points including two first place votes and Adrian College rounded out the top three with 81 points and the final top vote.

Last season saw Trine finish third in the conference season with 40 points, with a 12-4-2 record. The team had a chance to share the NCHA title late in the season, but the Spartans ultimately pulled away with 47 points. The Green Knights took second on the last weekend, ending with 42 points.

The 2024-25 season was the best so far for the Thunder. They finished with an overall record of 21-7-2, the most wins and fewest losses in program history. They made their first appearance in the NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Championship tournament, securing a 4-1 victory in their first game before taking the eventual national champions to overtime in their second.

The top four teams in the coaches poll are also ranked nationally according to the USCHO.com Preseason Coaches Poll. All four sit in the top ten, with St. Norbert at fifth, Aurora at sixth, Trine at seventh and Adrian in tenth.

The Thunder open the season with a scrimmage against Adrian on Saturday, October 25. They start the regular season when they travel to face SUNY Canton on Friday, October 31 at 7 p.m.