Waltham, Mass. – Bentley has been picked 9^th in the Atlantic Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll, it was announced Tuesday during the conference's annual media day.

The Falcons, who are preparing for their first season opener at Bentley Arena against Merrimack on Friday, October 12, will play 18 home games this season at the new arena, and head coach Ryan Soderquist and his team are getting ready to go. "We're excited to have our first full season in the new arena," Soderquist said during his media day remarks. "We want to make it a true home-ice advantage and own our building."

The team returns 18 players from last season's squad (9 forwards, 7 defensemen, 2 goalies), with 10 newcomers added to the ranks.

Sophomore Luke Santerno (Smithers, B.C.) is the leading returning scorer after he recorded 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points last season, while senior defenseman Tanner Jago (Brandon, Manitoba) is the team's second highest returning scorer after six goals and 22 assists last season. Other high scorers returning are senior Drew Callin (Middleton, Wisc.) (6-20-26) and junior Jonathan Desbiens (Montreal, Quebec) (12-9-21).

Junior Aidan Pelino (Oakville, Ontario) returns between the pipes with 36 starts in his first two seasons.

The Falcons will be captained by Jago, and junior forward Ryner Gorowsky (Lino Lakes, Minn.) this season.

Air Force, the defending conference champions, were picked first in the poll, followed by Canisius. The entire preseason poll can be seen below.

2018-19 Atlantic Hockey Preseason Poll

1. Air Force – 97 points (7 first place votes)

2. Canisius – 92 points (4 first place votes)

3. Robert Morris – 66 points

4. Mercyhurst – 65 points

5. AIC – 60 points

6. Army – 55 points

7. RIT – 49 points

8. Holy Cross – 40 points

9. Bentley – 31 points

10. Sacred Heart – 29 points

11. Niagara – 21 points