Boston College has been picked to finish first in Hockey East, according to the annual preseason coaches poll.
The Eagles earned seven first-place votes with a total of 88 points.
Boston University, with 83 points, was chosen second in the poll and garnered the remaining three first-place votes.
New Hampshire took third, Maine fourth and Merrimack landed at No. 5.
Vermont, Massachusetts, Northeastern, Massachusetts-Lowell and Providence round out the bottom half of the poll.
| Team (First-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. Massachusetts-Lowell | 27 |
| 10. Providence | 26 |
In addition, Merrimack’s Mike Machnik has been named the 20th recipient of the Joe Concannon Hockey East Media Award. Machnik will start his 19th year in his affiliation with Merrimack this coming season.
Machnik, who has been involved in college hockey since 1985, also helped launch USCHO.com in 1996.
