Boston College Hockey Tabbed Hockey East Preseason Favorite

The Boston College Eagles hockey team was picked to win Hockey East for the second consecutive season, according to the 2011-12 men's preseason coaches poll released on Tuesday. BC earned seven first place votes and a total of 88 points. I can only guess who the three coaches were who didn't vote for Boston College (looking at you, Jack Parker, Dick Umile and Tim Whitehead).

Here's how the coaches poll votes break down:

1. Boston College (7) 88
2. Boston University (3) 83
3. New Hampshire 72
4. Maine 64
5. Merrimack 61
6. Vermont 44
7. Massachusetts 42
8. Northeastern 33
9. UMass Lowell 27
10. Providence 26

Not surprisingly, Boston University, New Hampshire and Maine round out the top four in this year's preseason coaches poll. 

The Eagles are coming off a season in which they won a HEA-best 11th regular season title and 10th tournament title, finishing with a 20-6-1 record and 41 total points. The season begins a week from Friday as BC travels to North Dakota to take on Michigan State in the 2011 Ice Breaker Tournament. The Eagles begin their Hockey East title defense on Saturday, October 15 as they travel to Durham to take on the UNH Wildcats.