BOSTON -- The University of Maine men's hockey team was ranked ninth in the Hockey East preseason men's coaches poll, released this afternoon at the conference's annual media day.

Maine missed the Hockey East playoffs last season and finished 13-18-3 and 9-15-3 in Hockey East. The Black Bears received 28 points in the preseason poll, while top-ranked Boston College received 86 points, ahead of Boston University (80), New Hampshire (78) and Northeastern (62).

Maine opens the season Oct. 17 against the University of Alaska-Anchorage at the Alaska Goal Rush Tournament in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Black Bears' home opener is Oct. 24 against Northeastern.

Hockey East men's preseason poll

1. Boston College, 86

2. Boston University, 80

3. New Hampshire, 78

4. Northeastern, 62

5. Vermont, 58

6. Massachusetts, 48

7. UMass-Lowell, 46

8. Providence, 34

9. Maine, 28

10. Merrimack, 20

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