The Hockey East Men’s Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Monday, and the University of Maine is predicted to finish towards the bottom of the league for the 2021-22 season.
Maine had 32 total points in the voting, tabbed to finish 10th out of 11 teams. The defending national champions from the University of Massachusetts is picked to win the league with 107 points (8 first place votes), followed closely by Boston University (95) and Boston College (89). The Terriers got one first place vote, while the Eagles garnered two. Four through seven is Northeastern, Providence, UConn, and UMass-Lowell. Rounding out the bottom half is UNH, Merrimack, Maine, and Vermont.
Maine, who finished 3-11-2 (3-10-2 Hockey East) and lost an opening round playoff to UNH in a COVID shortened season in 2020-21, will be under the direction of new head coach Ben Barr who was an associate head coach with the Minutemen last season helping them to their first national title. Barr takes the helm held by Red Gendron, who passed away unexpectedly back in April. The Black Bears play a closed exhibition game in Exeter, New Hampshire against Quinnipiac next Saturday before opening the regular season at Nebraska-Omaha on Friday and Saturday October 8 and 9. Their first home game with fans in two years will be October 22 and 23 with two games against Sacred Heart at the Alfond Arena. The first Hockey East games for Maine will be at Northeastern on October 29 and 30.
