MADISON – Following one of the program's most successful seasons in recent history, the Yellowjacket men's hockey team, currently ranked No. 13 in the nation, found themselves predicted to finish second in the 2025-26 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Preseason Preview, the league announced Thursday.
 
Leading the conference in first place was UW-Stevens Point, who enter the season ranked No. 11 in the land.
 
The 'Jackets return a key triad of All-WIAC honorees from last season, including senior Tyler Ryder (Byron Center, Mich./Northstar Christian Academy), junior Jack Boschert (Florissant, Mo./Duchesne) and sophomore Ikki Kogawa (Chiba, Japan/Collingwood Collegiate Institute).
 
Ryder skated in 27 games last season, rifling a pair of goals and three assists earning his first All-WIAC First Team selection. Manning the blue line he blocked 30 shots while taking 47, including a season-high five blocks during the team's two games at the Codfishi Bowl Tournament. Boschert saw 675 minutes in goal for the 'Jackets, saving 265 total shots in 13 games for an overall record of 8-2. His save percentage came in at .933. Kogawa enters his sophomore year on the heels of being named the league's newcomer of the year. He garnered 19 points off seven goals and 12 assists, landing him a +11 ranking.
 
UW-Eau Claire was ranked third in the poll, followed by UW-River Falls and UW-Stout. Beloit College, who enters their first year of sponsoring ice hockey, rounds out the WIAC preview.
 
The Yellowjackets begin the new year Saturday, Nov. 1 where they take on Marian. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Blue Line Family Ice Center in Fond du Lac, Wis.