While anticipations for the University of Maine men’s ice hockey team are high this upcoming season, the expectations are even higher.

On Wednesday, Hockey East released their preseason poll where the Black Bears were ranked No. 2 behind, defending national champions, Boston College.

Maine coming off a strong finish to last season isn’t looking to rebuild, but continue to keep their stride as the majority of the players, including seven of the top scorers, have returned for another exciting year of UMaine hockey.

“We’ve got a great core of guys back,” said Black Bears head coach Tim Whitehead. “We’ve had some consistency the last couple of years and we’ve been able to retain guys, so this could be a real exciting year for the fans.”

Last season, Maine finally appeared to have turned a corner, playing inspired hockey, skating their way to the Hockey East championship game only to be defeated by Boston College, who later went on to win the national championship.

Despite being falling short by one goal in overtime, the players are made it clear that the Boston College game is still fresh in their minds as a means of showing what they are capable of, not what could have been.

Whitehead’s confidence in the Black Bears program is to the point where he genuinely believes in the strengths and talent of his players this year, whether he is referring to the core of returning players or his new freshman.

Younger talents like freshmen forwards Kelen Corkum and Jon Swaverly are ready to step into key positions of the team.

“(We’ll) just do what we can day in and day out, like the simple things,” said Corkum. “Whatever the coaches need us to do in the lineup that will be our job.”

Swaverly added that his goal was to “make an impact and help this team.”

They’ll get their first chance on Sunday when the Black Bears play their lone exhibition game against Acadia University at 4pm at Alfond Arena.

Three players will not be in the lineup as freshman Martin Ouellette and defenseman Ryan Hegarty are out with knee injuries, while Klas Leidermark is out with a knee injury. All are listed as day-to-day.