Verona finished 14-12-1 overall and 11-3 in the Big Eight last season on its way to the program’s fifth Big Eight Conference title since joining the conference in 2009. The Wildcats fell one game shy of their ultimate goal, however, losing 5-3 to Sun Prairie in the sectional final game.

If anyone is going to dethrone Verona this season, it could be Madison West (12-12-0, 7-7-0). The Regents return a big senior class that will play hard against everyone in front of one of the better returning goaltenders in Adam Buencamino (.880 save percentage). Drake Baldwin (12 goals, 6 assists) is expected to lead the Regents offense.

Madison Memorial (12-12-2, 4-8-2) is expected to have one of the conference’s stingiest defenses led by Jack Helle (5G, 9A) and Jackson Welsch (2G, 5A). Forward Parker Lindauer (16G, 15A) will likely lead the offense.

Middleton (15-8-0, 8-6-0) will have a few good forwards led by Jake Feldt (2G, 12A), and a good defensive group led by newcomer Bo Bergenthal.

Sun Prairie (13-8-2, 7-5-2) finished fourth in conference play a year ago but returns a solid group of talent, coming off last season’s state tournament run. The Cardinal offense expects to be led by Kyle Hagerman (18G, 11A).

The Janesville co-op finished second last, but while the Bluebirds and Beloit Memorial are well coached, both will be down in talent this year. The Eastside Lakers having gotten a little better each season, but they will likely be in the bottom half of the conference again.

Statewide, Hudson, Wausau West, Eau Claire Memorial, Neenah and Waukesha round out the top five on the preseason poll. Notre Dame (sixth), University School of Milwaukee (seventh), Arrowhead (ninth) and Superior (10th) join the Wildcats on the preseason rankings.

Verona last reached the state tournament when the Wildcats took home gold in 2014.