Boston College Athletics
Photo by: Tommy Lakes
Eagles Selected as Preseason Favorite in Hockey East
September 26, 2019 | Men's Hockey
BOSTON – Boston College men's hockey has been chosen as the preseason favorite in Hockey East, according to the annual coaches' poll released on Thursday during Hockey East Media Day at TD Garden. It marks the second straight season and third time in the last five years that the Eagles have been picked to win the league.
BC received eight of a possible 10 first-place votes (head coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team) and finished with 97 points in the poll. Defending regular season champion UMass grabbed a pair of first-place votes and was tabbed second with 85 points, while Providence came in third with 78 points.
Reigning tournament champion Northeastern (73 points) placed fourth with the remaining first-place vote, and Boston University (72) was one point behind in fifth. UMass Lowell (53), New Hampshire (40) and Maine (39) were picked to complete the eight-team playoff field, while UConn (38), Vermont (19) and Merrimack (11) rounded out the poll.
The Eagles return 65-percent of their scoring for the upcoming season, including Hockey East First Team All-Star and senior captain David Cotton (23-13-36). BC has also added a highly touted freshman class which includes a school record three first round NHL draft picks and five total draft selections.
Last season, Boston College upset No. 2 seed Providence and No. 1 seed UMass in the postseason before becoming the first 7-seed ever to reach the Hockey East Championship Game.
Boston College opens its 98th season of men's hockey on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. with an exhibition game against New Brunswick at Kelley Rink. Wisconsin comes to the Heights for opening night at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11.
HOCKEY EAST PRESEASON POLL
1. Boston College (8) 97
2. UMass (2) 85
3. Providence 78
4. Northeastern (1) 73
5. Boston University 72
6. UMass Lowell 53
7. New Hampshire 40
8. Maine 39
9. UConn 38
10. Vermont 19
11. Merrimack 11
BC received eight of a possible 10 first-place votes (head coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team) and finished with 97 points in the poll. Defending regular season champion UMass grabbed a pair of first-place votes and was tabbed second with 85 points, while Providence came in third with 78 points.
Reigning tournament champion Northeastern (73 points) placed fourth with the remaining first-place vote, and Boston University (72) was one point behind in fifth. UMass Lowell (53), New Hampshire (40) and Maine (39) were picked to complete the eight-team playoff field, while UConn (38), Vermont (19) and Merrimack (11) rounded out the poll.
The Eagles return 65-percent of their scoring for the upcoming season, including Hockey East First Team All-Star and senior captain David Cotton (23-13-36). BC has also added a highly touted freshman class which includes a school record three first round NHL draft picks and five total draft selections.
Last season, Boston College upset No. 2 seed Providence and No. 1 seed UMass in the postseason before becoming the first 7-seed ever to reach the Hockey East Championship Game.
Boston College opens its 98th season of men's hockey on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. with an exhibition game against New Brunswick at Kelley Rink. Wisconsin comes to the Heights for opening night at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11.
HOCKEY EAST PRESEASON POLL
1. Boston College (8) 97
2. UMass (2) 85
3. Providence 78
4. Northeastern (1) 73
5. Boston University 72
6. UMass Lowell 53
7. New Hampshire 40
8. Maine 39
9. UConn 38
10. Vermont 19
11. Merrimack 11
Players Mentioned
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