Sept. 30, 2009

BOSTON - The UMass men's hockey team was picked seventh in the Hockey East Preseason Coaches Poll as announced today at the annual Media Day held at the TD Garden. The Minutemen, who finished seventh in the Hockey East regular-season last year, return 21 letterwinners and six of their top 10 scorers from 2008-09. Fans will have a chance to see the Mass Attack in action this Saturday, Oct. 3 as the Minutemen host New Brunswick in an exhibition game at the Mullins Center Practice Rink (6 PM). Admission is free and 2009-10 schedule posters will be available.

The defending National Champion Boston University Terriers were chosen by the league's 10 head coaches to win the regular-season crown. The Terriers garnered 84 votes and six first-place tallies.

UMass-Lowell was voted in the second spot with 79 points for the second time in school history with two first place votes.

New Hampshire and Vermont were picked tied for fourth in the poll with 59 points apiece, followed closely by Northeastern with 57 points.

Following the Minutemen were Maine (32 pts), Providence (24 pts) and Merrimack (23 pts).

The Minutemen return Hockey East's active career points leader in James Marcou (79) who is tied entering the season with Boston University's Nick Bonino. Marcou finish the regular season in 2008-09 tied for the league scoring title with BU's Colin Wilson. Casey Wellman, the 2008-09 Rookie Scoring Leader, gives the Minutemen two of Hockey East's top returning scorers.

Defensively, the Mass Attack is anchored by a pair of NHL draft picks in captain Justin Braun and co-captain Martin Nolet. In goal, UMass features the return of both Paul Dainton and Dan Meyers.

The regular-season kicks off next Thursday, Oct. 8 against Rensselaer at the Mullins Center (7 PM). The following Friday, Boston University will visit the Mullins Center to kick off the Homecoming Weekend. Tickets are now on sale for all UMass home games. Fans can call 866-UMASS-TIX, go to www.TicketMaster.com for individual game tickets, or go to the new Ticket Central at www.UMassAthletics.com to order season and individual game tickets.