Oliver Peer named CCHA's Preseason Player of the Year; Beavers picked 5th in both polls
Sep. 14—BEMIDJI — Oliver Peer is already winning 2026-27 CCHA honors.
The Bemidji State men’s hockey team’s top-line center was named the league’s Preseason Player of the Year in the Coaches and Media Polls.
Bemidji State was picked to finish fifth in both polls. Michigan Tech was selected as the league’s top team in both polls as well.
Peer, a native of Burlington, Ontario, had 20 goals and 16 assists last year in his first season with the Beavers. He transferred from the University of New Brunswick (U Sports) ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Naturally, Peer was also selected to be on both of the All-CCHA Preseason Teams. Among coaches, Peer is joined by Michigan Tech forwards Max Koskipirrti and Isaac Gordon and Bowling Green’s Ben Doran. Augustana’s Hayden Hennen and Bowling Green’s Breck McKinley round out the coaches’ defender picks, while MTU goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz was selected as well.
Peer, Koskipirtti, McKinley and Hennen landed on both lists after being selected by the media for All-CCHA Preseason team honors. They’re joined by Minnesota State forward Luigi Benincasa, Minnesota State defenseman Will Skahan, Augustana defenseman Owen Baumgartner and Northern Michigan goaltender Oliver Auyeung-Ashton.
The CCHA coaches selected three freshmen for Preseason Rookie of the Year. Bowling Green defenseman Mazden Leslie, Ferris State forward Nathan Leek and Lake Superior State forward Cooper Foster tied for the honor. Leslie was the lone selection among CCHA media members.
The league’s virtual Media Day commences at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
