Reigning tournament champions Salem State Vikings are the early favorite to claim the 2017-18 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Ice Hockey Championship as selected by the seven coaches from around the conference.

 

The Vikings earned five of the seven first place votes for 35 points. They finished last season 12-4-2 on the way to their second straight MASCAC Tournament title. All-Conference honoree Callum Hofford returns for the team after finishing last season with 21 points on nine goals and 12 assists.  He was also tied for third on power play goals with six and second in scoring for defenseman. 

 

Earning the final two first place votes for 32 points is Plymouth State. The Panthers claimed the 2016-17 MASCAC Regular Season Championship with a 16-1-1 mark in league action. Ryan Stevens collected 20 goals and 19 assists for 39 points to earn a spot on the All-Conference team. His 20 goals led the conference in  goal scoring last season and was fifth in assist scoring.

 

Sitting next in third with 24 points is UMass Dartmouth. The Corsairs were 12-6 during MASCAC play last season. All-Conference honoree Casey Shea is back for the squad after leading the conference in total points with 40 on 12 goals and 28 assists. His 28 assists also led the league.

 

Fitchburg State claimed the fourth spot with 22 points. The Falcons had seven wins in conference action in 2016-17. Reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year Tyler Warila will be back on the ice. Last year, he finished his rookie season with 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points which was the fourth most points in the league and led all freshman in total scoring.

 

Grabbing the fifth slot is Worcester State with 16 points. The Lancers took home six wins during conference competition last season. Kyle Griffin was the leading scorer for the team with nine goals and added six assists for 15 during his freshman campaign.   

  

Rounding out the 2017-18 preseason poll are Westfield State and Framingham State in sixth and seventh, respectively. The Owls claimed 12 points in the poll and tallied six wins during league action. On defense, Carl Greco returns for the team after netting three goals and 18 assists for 21 points last season. He was second in defenseman in scoring and third in power play points for a spot on the All-Conference team. The Rams earned six points in the poll. Tyler Colacchio had the second-most goals for the team last season with six while also adding seven assists.

 

All seven MASCAC teams start their season this weekend, October 27-28, with non-conference play. Follow all the hockey action at mascac.com.

 

2017-18 MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1.	Salem State	(5)	35 points
2.	Plymouth State	(2)	32 points
3.	UMass Dartmouth		24 points
4.	Fitchburg State		22 points
5,	Worcester State		16 points
6.	Westfield State		12 points
7.	Framingham State		6 points

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