Hockey East Media Day

The 2006 Hockey East Media Day began with a bang.

As expected Boston College (who shared first place on the uscho.com/cstv poll) got the most first place votes as eight out of ten coaches picked the Eagles to win the regular season. The Eagles also recieved 89 points overall in the coaches pre-season poll. There are some surprises, let's begin with second place Boston University. Picked fourth in the country by uscho.com, it would seem like head coach Jack Parker and the Terriers would get some first place votes, instead they got none but did get 78 points. Maine got the other two first place votes, however coach Tim Whitehead and the Black Bears are picked third in the conference. The University of New Hampshire was picked fourth to wind up the elite class of Hockey East.

The most interesting prediction is who will finish fifth or sixth. Vermont wound up in the fifth spot with 57 points Providence sixth by a near five points behind Vermont at 52. This will be a back and fourth battle all year between these two teams. To see who I pick go near the end of the blog.

To no surprise, UMASS-Amherst was picked seventh with 37 points. Spots eight through ten, well they are wide open as well. Northeastern was picked eighth with 35 points. To me that is a surprise. A team with only three wins last year, the Huskies are hungry for victories this year. They will make a close race for the final spot in the Hockey East Playoffs. UMASS-Lowell 32 points, and Merrimack 18 points wind up the final two spots in the coaches poll.

So what is their to expect from the Hockey East teams this year?

Expect Brian Boyle to make his temmates better this year as he should lead the league in assists and points. The captain of the Eagles is undoubtedly an all-american canidate. He will score his share of goals too. Boyle is a good possibility to win the Hobey Baker this year. Also expect a better defense this year from the Eagles, which should help Cory Schneider out.

Expect Boston University's Freshman class to be the most productive. With guys like Brian Strait (captain of the under-18 US Developmental Team last season), Eric Gryba, and Zach Cohen could make an immediate impact for this Terrier class that finished second in recruting according to Insidecollegehockey.com. Also expect another strong year from Senior Goaltender John Curry.

Expect another unsung hero for Maine to help the Black Bears make a run at the Frozen Four? Ben Bishop was that last season. This year it could be Simon Denis-Papin who makes a big difference for the Black Bears.

Expect New Hampshire goaltender Kevin Regan to have a breakthrough season. After a shaky Sophomore season in which he split time with Jeff Petresiak, Regan is the clear number one goaltender in Durham this year.

Other things to expect are the following:

Expect Providence, Vermont, and UNH to fight for home ice for the Hockey East playoffs.

Expect Maine to prove everyone wrong again.

Expect BC to possibly runaway with the regular season before their final home and home games in March against New Hampshire.

And expect the bottom of the league to be fought out between Northeastern, UMASS-Lowell, and Merrimack.

So I gave you the coaches poll now it is time for the hockeynuts Hockey East poll.

1. Boston College
2. Boston University
3. Maine
4. New Hampshire
5. Providence
6. Vermont
7. UMASS-Amherst
8. UMASS-Lowell
9. Northeastern
10. Merrimack

The coaches did not pick an all Hockey East team, but I will give you my picks for the all Hockey East team.

• G- Cory Schnedier, Boston College
• D- Cody Wild, Providence,
• D- Sean Sullivan, Boston Unviersity
• F- Brian Boyle, Boston College
• F- Michel Leveille, Maine
• F- Jacob Micflikier, New Hampshire

Well thats all for Hockey East Media Day, Tommorrow it is the CCHA's turn for their annual media day.