Boston College Athletics
Men's Hockey Tabbed Second in Preseason Poll
September 22, 2014 | Men's Hockey
2014-15 Boston College Hockey Media Guide | Hockey East release
BOSTON – Boston College has been chosen to finish second in the 2014-15 Hockey East Preseason Poll, voted on by the league coaches and announced at the conference’s annual media day at TD Garden on Monday morning. The Eagles received three-of-12 first-place votes.
Providence, one of five Hockey East clubs to represent the conference in last season’s NCAA Tournament, has been pegged as the preseason favorite to win the Hockey East regular season title after claiming seven first-place votes and 127 overall points. BC’s 120 points slots the Eagles in second while Notre Dame rounds out the top three with an aggregate of 94 points. Northeastern picked up one first-place vote and was predicted to finish fourth (90 points), with New Hampshire (86 points) and Boston University (83 points) nipping at the Huskies’ heels in fifth and sixth, respectively. UMass Lowell (79 points), with one first-place vote, was tabbed to turn in at the seven spot while Vermont (75 points), Maine (74 points), Merrimack (37), Massachusetts (33 points) and first-year member Connecticut (26 points) close out the remainder of the poll.
This marks the first time in seven seasons and just the third in the last 16 years that Boston College has not been selected as the favorite or co-favorite to win the league title.
In 2013-14, Boston College captured its league-record 13th overall regular season championship and the third in the last four seasons with a 16-2-2 mark in conference action and a 28-8-4 record overall. The Eagles capped off last season with their 11th trip to the Frozen Four under head coach Jerry York and fourth in the last seven seasons. In reference to postseason play, BC has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 15 of its last 17 seasons.
York and the Eagles return 21 letterwinners return from last year’s 28-win club and will join forces with three new incoming freshmen.
York enters his 21st season at Boston College and 43rd season of coaching after winning his third Hockey East Coach of the Year award in 2013-14. Touting the most victories of all-time and an overall record of 963-577-102, York is just four victories shy of picking up his 500th win on The Heights. In 20 seasons as Eagles’ bench boss, York has amassed a mark of 496-242-68.
The Eagles’ preseason begins with an exhibition on Saturday night, Oct. 4, against the University of New Brunswick. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Boston College’s 93rd hockey season will open in conference play when the Eagles travel to Tsongas Center to take on UMass Lowell, winners of the last two Hockey East championships. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on New England Sports Network (NESN).
2014-15 Hockey East Pre-Season Poll
1. Providence (7) - 127
2. Boston College (3) - 120
3. Notre Dame - 94
4. Northeastern (1) - 90
5. New Hampshire - 86
6. Boston University - 83
7. UMass Lowell (1) - 79
8. Vermont - 75
9. Maine - 74
10. Merrimack - 37
11. Massachusetts - 33
12. UConn - 26
