ROCHESTER, NY – The Wilkes University men's ice hockey team was chosen to finish third according to the 2021-22 United Collegiate Hockey Conference Men's Preseason Coaches' Poll as announced by the conference office Wednesday afternoon.
 
The UCHC Preseason Poll is voted on by all 10 league coaches with Utica selected as the top team in the conference at the outset of the year for the fourth consecutive season.
 
Utica garnered six of the ten first place votes and 78 total points. Utica has won all four regular season championships since the conference began play in 2017-18. The Pioneers are attempting to win their third UCHC title, having also won in 2017-18 and 2019-20. The Pioneers finished 8-2-0 overall and 7-1-0 during the 2020-21 season, which was shortened due to COVID-19.
 
Stevenson University was second in the 2021-22 UCHC Men's Preseason poll, with 74 total points and three first place votes. The Mustangs went 7-1-1 in UCHC play last season and 12-3-1 overall, advancing to the UCHC Championship game.
 
Wilkes, who advanced to the 2019-20 UCHC Championship game and went 6-3-0 in league play last season, collected the final first place vote and is selected to finish third overall with 67 points. Chatham University and Lebanon Valley College finished in a tie for fourth in the preseason poll, each collecting 49 points.
 
Neumann University (41 points), Manhattanville College (33 points), Nazareth College (31 points), King's College (19 points) and Arcadia University (12 points) round out the 2021-22 UCHC Men's Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
2021-22 UCHC Men's Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Utica - 78 Points (6 First Place Votes)
2. Stevenson - 74 Points (3 First Place Votes)
3. Wilkes - 67 Points (1 First Place Vote)
4t. Chatham - 49 Points
4t. Lebanon Valley - 49 Points
6. Neumann - 41 Points
7. Manhattanville - 33 Points
8. Nazareth - 31 Points
9. King's - 19 Points
10. Arcadia - 12 Points
 
Next week, the UCHC will unveil its 2021-22 Players to Watch. Exhibition action continues this weekend before the 2021-22 regular season formally begins on Friday, Oct. 29.