Men's Ice Hockey Tabbed Second In 2020-21 Atlantic Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
11/10/2020 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team was selected second in the 2020-21 Atlantic Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday. This is the highest preseason ranking the Pioneers have received since the 2006-07 season when they were also picked second.
SHU finished the 2019-20 campaign with a 21-10-3 record for its seventh-straight season with double-digit wins while recording a 18-8-2 conference record which propelled them to the Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals. The Pioneers return 22 student-athletes from a season ago. Sophomore Braeden Tuck is SHU's top returning point scorer from last year. The forward recorded 28 points and finished second on the team with 23 assists and was named Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year. Six returning players registered double-digit points in 2019-20.
American International was selected to finish first with 96 points and seven first-place votes. The Pioneers take the second slot tallying 76 points and two first-place votes. Bentley rounds out the top three as they were selected to place third recording 75 points.
The Pioneers open up the regular season on Saturday, November 21 when they travel to face AIC. Game-time is set for 2:00 p.m.
2020-21 Atlantic Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. AIC (7 1st Place Votes) - 96 points
2. SHU (2) - 76
3. Bentley - 75
4. Niagara (1) - 69
5. Army West Point - 60
T-6. Air Force - 49
T-6. Robert Morris - 49
8. Holy Cross - 27
T-9. Canisius - 18
T-9. Mercyhurst - 18
