WINTHROP, Mass. – During its annual media day on Monday, Atlantic Hockey released the Preseason Coaches’ Poll for the 2016-17 season. The Niagara Purple Eagles hockey team was voted to finish in 10th place.
The RIT Tigers were voted first in the coaches’ poll, receiving eight of 11 first-place votes and 95 votes overall. Air Force (2) and Holy Cross (1) received the remaining first-place votes, with the Falcons sitting second in the poll at 88 points followed by the Crusaders with 72. Holy Cross was closely followed by both Army West Point and Mercyhurst, who received 70 votes each. Robert Morris (60), Sacred Heart (48), Bentley (43), and Canisius (27) were the other four teams ahead of Niagara in the poll. The Purple Eagles received 17 votes, followed by American International with 15.
Niagara returns nine of its top 10 scorers and all three goaltenders from last season’s roster. Seniors Stephen Pietrobon and TJ Sarcona will provide leadership up front, while junior Derian Plouffe is the team’s leading returning scorer (18 points in 2015-16). Nick Farmer, Sam Rennaker, and Tanner Lomsnes will look to step forward as sophomores after posting double-digit point totals as freshmen a year ago.
Veteran presences across the blue line will be a key for the Purple Eagles this season, with seniors Vinny Muto and Kevin Patterson and juniors Keegan Harper and Larry Smith leading the defensive group. Niko Kovachis will look for a strong sophomore campaign after tying for second in scoring for Niagara last season, and Devin Campbell looks to build on his strong finish in the 2015-16 season.
Senior Jackson Teichroeb returns to lead Niagara in goal along with sophomores Guillaume Therien and Joe O’Brien. Teichroeb ranks fourth among active NCAA goaltenders with 2,207 saves and posted career bests in goals-against average (2.69) and save percentage (.909) last year in addition to two shutouts. The London, Ontario native has been at his best in the Atlantic Hockey postseason, entering his senior campaign with a 2.26 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in 14 playoff games.
The Purple Eagles welcome nine freshmen for 2016-17, a class of six forwards and three defensemen. Dave Burkholder returns for his 21st season behind the bench for the Purple Eagles, his 16th as head coach.
