Ice Hockey Places Fifth In ECAC Preseason Poll

CAPE COD, Mass. - Curry College has been voted the top team in the 2009-10 ECAC Northeast Ice Hockey League Coaches' Poll, receiving a total of 53 votes including five first place votes. 

Curry College has a promising young squad this season, as they welcome back three members of the 2008-09 ECAC Northeast All Rookie Team, forwards John Williams (Flourtown/Quesnel Millionaires), and Payden Benning (Saskatchewan,/Estevan Bruins), as well as defender Ryan Barlock (Niles, Ill./Springfield Jr. Blues). The Colonels finished the 2008-09 season 20-5-2 overall (15-1-1 league).

In second place, receiving two first place votes and 48 total votes are the Bison of Nichols College.  2008-09 ECAC Northeast Coach of the Year Lou Izzi returns at the helm, after leading his team to the 2008-09 ECAC Northeast playoff title. Nichols went 16-1-0 against league opponents, and 25-4-0 overall in the 2008-09 season.

Wentworth claims the third spot, with one first place vote and 46 total  votes, The Leopards are coming off an 18-8-1 overall (13-3-1 league) season. They welcome back the 2008-09 ECAC Northeast Rookie of the Year Skylur Jameson (Long Beach,Calif./Wichita Falls), who finished second in the league in scoring, with 35 points on 12 goals and 23 assists.

Johnson & Wales takes the fourth slot with 28 total votes. The Wildcats skated to 8-7-2 conference record (9-14-3 overall) in the 2008-09 season. The Wildcats welcome back 2008-09 ECAC Northeast Second Team Selection forward Jeremiah Ketts (Foristell, Mo./Peoria).

Becker College was voted in at number five, after finishing with a 9-7-1 league record (11-14-1 overall) in 2008-09. Suffolk takes the number six spot. The Rams finished 7-7-3 in the league (8-14-3 overall) in the 2008-09 season.

Rounding out the poll is Salve Regina at the seven spot, and Western New England coming in right behind in the eighth spot. 

 ECAC Northeast League play begins on November 2 at 3:10 p.m., when Wentworth travels to Becker.