ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – The ECAC Hockey Preseason Coaches' and Media Polls both had the Union College men's ice hockey team picked to finish third in the conference, the league announced Tuesday during its Media Day held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Union head coach Nate Leaman was featured, along with the 11 other ECACH coaches, taking questions from media members around the country.
The Dutchmen, who set a school record for wins last year (21-12-6), return 20 letterwinners, while adding eight newcomers to the roster. Senior forward
Adam Presizniuk highlights the returning members, coming off a 35-point campaign (13 goals, 22 assists) last season. Senior defenseman
Brock Matheson will head up an experienced defensive corps for the Dutchmen.
Union, who opens play on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. against Sacred Heart, finished third in ECAC Hockey last year and secured home ice in the first round for the seventh time in eight seasons. A year ago, the Dutchmen were selected to finish sixth in both polls.
Coaches' Preseason Poll:
1. Yale (11)
2. Cornell (1)
3. Union
4. Rensselaer
5. Colgate
6. Dartmouth
7. Harvard
8. Quinnipiac
9. St. Lawrence
10. Princeton
11. Brown
12. Clarkson
ECAC Hockey Writers and Broadcasters Association Preseason Poll:
1. Yale (25)
2. Cornell (2)
3. Union (1)
4. Colgate (2)
5. Rensselaer
6. Dartmouth
7. St. Lawrence
8. Quinnipiac
9. Princeton
10. Harvard
11. Brown
12. Clarkson
Coaches' Preseason All-Conference Team:
Goaltender - A. York, Rensselaer
Defense – G. Hughes, St. Lawrence
Defense – E. Stephens, Dartmouth
Forward – B. Little, Yale
Forward – C. Polacek, Rensselaer
Forward – A. Smith, Colgate
