Maine ranked fourth in preseason coaches poll

By Chris Roy Published: 27th September 2011

Hockey East released it’s men’s ice hockey preseason coaches’ poll on Tuesday at the league’s media day, held at TD Garden in Boston.

Martin Ouellette in net for a game last season. Maine was ranked fourth by Hockey East coaches on Tuesday at their annual media day in Boston (Photo: Matt Booth)

The University of Maine was ranked fourth; while Boston College was named the No. 1 team in Hockey East after taking home seven first-place votes.

Boston University, with three first-place votes, and the University of New Hampshire rounded out the top-three positions.

On Monday, the Black Bears were ranked No. 15 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine preseason top-15 poll and No. 16 in the USCHO.com top-20 preseason poll.

Maine, who ended last season fifth in Hockey East with a 17-12-7 overall record (14-8-5 in Hockey East), will open the season on Oct. 7 at Alfond Arena against Merrimack College – the team who eliminated Maine in last year’s Hockey East playoffs.

****************************

The Black Bears will get to spend a little time in the Midwest next season as they’ve been named one of four teams to take part in the 16th annual Ice Breaker tournament from October, 12-13 in Kansas City, Missouri.

On Tuesday, the Kansas City Sports Commission along with Paul Kelly, Executive Director of College Hockey Inc., announced that the Sprint Center will play host to the event in the fall of 2012.

“Kansas City will be an excellent site for the Ice Breaker Tournament to start the 2012-‘13 college hockey season,” said Kelly in a press release. “We have been very impressed with the first-class facility at the Sprint Center, the beautiful city and the commitment of the community to make this event a success. It will be a memorable experience for both the student-athletes and the fans.”

The 2011-‘12 event is taking part at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Folks, ND, with the University of North Dakota being joined by Boston College, Michigan and Air Force.

In the 2012-’13 tournament, Maine will face off against the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Norte Dame and Army. This will be the Maine’s fourth appearance in the tournament.

HOCKEY EAST PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team (1st-place votes), points
1. Boston College (7), 88
2. Boston University (3), 83
3. New Hampshire, 72
4. Maine, 64
5. Merrimack, 61
6. Vermont, 44
7. Massachusetts, 42
8. Northeastern, 33
9. UMass-Lowell, 27
10. Providence, 26