Bentley Picked 8th in Atlantic Hockey Preseason Poll
Bentley Picked 8th in Atlantic Hockey Preseason Poll
WALTHAM, Mass. – With the season less than three weeks away from starting, Atlantic Hockey released its Preseason Coaches' Poll during its annual media day, and Bentley University was picked 8th with 43 points.
The Falcons, who a season ago advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals, return 17 players, including leading scorer and this year's captain Max French (West Kelowna, B.C./West Kelowna), assistant captain Kyle Schmidt (Menomonee Falls, Wisc./Sioux City), who was 3rd on the team in scoring, junior goalie Jayson Argue (Swan River, Manitboa/Nanaimo) and All-Rookie team defenseman Tanner Jago (Brandon, Manitboa/Portage Terriers).
Those 17 returners will be joined by a group of nine freshmen, which features five forwards, three defensemen and one goalie.
RIT was voted as the coaches' favorite heading into the season, with the Tigers receiving eight first-place votes and 96 points. Air Force came in second with two first-place votes and 88 points, followed by Holy Cross in third with one first-place vote and 72 points. The top-five was rounded out with a tie for fourth between Army West Point and Mercyhurst with 70 points.
Bentley will get its season going on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the University of New Hampshire. The home opener comes against Northeastern on Friday, Oct. 14
2016-17 Atlantic Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
Team Points
1. RIT (8) 95
2. Air Force (2) 88
3. Holy Cross (1) 72
T-4. Army West Point 70
T-4. Mercyhurst 70
6. Robert Morris 60
7. Sacred Heart 48
8. Bentley 43
9. Canisius 27
10. Niagara 17
11. AIC 15
First-place votes in parentheses