The coaches and media had a slight disagreement when it came to which program could win Hockey East in 2018-19.
Boston College was picked atop the Hockey East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, while Providence earned top billing in the Hockey East Writers and Broadcasters Association Preseason Poll.
Both polls were released in conjunction with the league’s annual preseason media luncheon held Monday at the TD Garden in Boston.
The Eagles only graduated one player and didn't lose anyone early to professional hockey. Jerry York's club will be led by standout junior goaltender Joseph Woll, a Toronto Maple Leafs' pick. On defense, captains Casey Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.) and Michael Kim will be key contributors. The offense returns leading scorer Logan Hutsko, a Florida Panthers' draft pick. The potential wildcard is freshman Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.), a first-round pick of the New York Islanders. The Quincy, Mass., native is expected to provide a big boost to the team's goal-scoring department.
The Friars return a solid nucleus, despite losing leading scorers Brian Pinho (North Andover, Mass.) and Erik Foley (Mansfield, Mass.) to professional hockey. Nate Leaman’s top returning player is junior defenseman Jacob Bryson, a Buffalo Sabres' prospect. Other top players back on the blue line are senior Vincent Desharnias, junior Spenser Young (Brentwood, N.H.) and sophomore Ben Mirageas (Newburyport, Mass.). Up front, juniors Brandon Duhaime and Josh Wilkins, senior Scott Conway and sophomore Kasper Bjorkqvist are the top players back. Montreal Canadiens prospect Hayden Hawkey returns for his senior season between the pipes.
The Friars boast one of the top recruiting classes in the country with four NHL draft picks, including former Thayer Academy center Jay O’Brien (Hingham, Mass.), picked 19th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. Forwards Jack Dugan, Mikael Hakkarainen, and Tyce Thompson (Milford, Conn.), plus defenseman Michael Callahan (Franklin, Mass.), are other rookies expected to have a significant impact.
Hockey East Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Boston College (5) 93
2. Providence (4) 92
3. Boston University 84 (1)
4. Northeastern 66 (1)
5. Maine 61
6. Massachusetts 56
7. UMass Lowell 52
8. Connecticut 41
9. New Hampshire 26
10. Vermont 19
11. Merrimack 15
Hockey East Writers and Broadcasters Association Preseason Poll
1. Providence (9) 202
2. Boston College (8) 200
3. Boston University (2) 191
4. Northeastern (1) 152
5. Maine 125
6. UMass Lowell 115
7. Massachusetts 114
8. Connecticut 81
9. Vermont 55
10. New Hampshire 51
11. Merrimack 34
Hockey East Writers and Broadcasters Association Preseason All-Hockey East Team
Forward: Shane Bowers, Soph., Boston University
Forward: Bobo Carpenter, Sr., Boston University
Forward: Logan Hutsko, Soph., Boston College
Defense: Jeremy Davies, Jr., Northeastern
Defense: Cale Makar, Soph., Massachusetts
Goaltender: Cayden Primeau, Soph., Northeastern
