BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott men's ice hockey team has been ranked sixth overall in the USCHO.com Preseason Poll, as announced by the organization earlier today.
Endicott received a total of 163 points to rank ahead of such teams as Oswego (7), Plattsburgh (8), Hamilton, (9) and Hobart (10). The USCHO.com Poll is compiled weekly and consists of 20 voters, including coaches and hockey writers from across the country. USCHO.com provides in-depth coverage of college hockey.
Meanwhile, last week, the Gulls were also tabbed to repeat as Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) champions as Endicott earned 99 points and nine of a possible 10 first place votes.
2016-17 YEAR IN REVIEW
Endicott, the defending CCC Tournament Champions, posted a 24-4-2 overall (14-3-1 CCC) record and went into the CCC Tournament as the top seed. In the Championship game, Cam Bleck (Lake Forrest, Ill.) scored in the final seconds of regulation to earn Endicott the first-ever CCC Men's Ice Hockey Tournament title.
In the NCAA Tournament, the Gulls snatched a 4-3 road victory against Hobart in the First Round and took Trinity to double-overtime before succumbing, 2-1, in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Ultimately, the Gulls ended the 2016-17 season ranked No. 6 nationally in both the USCHO.com and D3hockey.com year-end polls. Endicott will bring back almost its entire squad from last season that ranked tops in the country among the following categories: No. 1 scoring offense (4.83 g/gm), No. 6 scoring defense (1.97 g/gm), No. 1 scoring margin (2.87), No. 3 power play (28.1%, 43/153), No. 12 penalty kill (86.5%, 147/170), No. 2 combined special teams (58.8%, 190/323), and No. 2 team winning percentage (.833, 24-4-2).
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott opens up its 2017-18 season against Plymouth State University on Friday at Raymond J. Bourque Arena at 7 PM.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo credit - David Le '10)