Boston College Athletics
Men's Hockey Pegged Fourth in Preseason Polls
September 30, 2014 | Men's Hockey
USCHO.com poll | USA Hockey / USA Magazine Poll
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College men’s hockey team has been ranked No. 4 in both the USCHO.com and USA Today / USA Hockey Magazine preliminary preseason polls with the official start of the season about two weeks away.
Boston College earned 831 points and 375 points, respectively, in the USCHO.com and USA Today / USA Hockey Magazine polls for its fourth-place ranking. Minnesota claimed the top spot in both polls, earning 36-of-50 first-place votes in the USCHO.com poll and 32-of-34 in the USA Today / USA Hockey Magazine poll while North Dakota was tabbed second. Providence takes down top billing from Hockey East and was slotted third with a pair of first-place votes in the USCHO.com poll.
The Eagles finished the 2013-14 season with a final ranking of No. 3 in the country in both polls after earning their 11th trip to the Frozen Four under head coach Jerry York and fourth in the last seven seasons.
BC earned the same fourth-ranked preseason billing to start the 2013-14 campaign.
Twenty-one 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 will have a test run against University of New Brunswick on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Kelley Rink. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and admission is free.
Boston College’s 93rd hockey season will open at conference foe UMass Lowell on Friday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. The River Hawks were ranked 17th in USCHO.com’s preliminary preseason poll after winning consecutive Hockey East Tournament titles. Friday’s season opener will be broadcast live on NESN.
