Sept. 21, 2009

The Sporting News' Top 20 Preseason Poll ranks the UMass Lowell hockey team fourth in the nation, according to the magazine's 2009-10 Hockey Yearbook.

Denver, who finished 23-12-5 last season, was ranked first by the Sporting News. The Pioneers were followed by Miami (Ohio) (23-13-5) and Michigan (29-11-0) to round out the top three, while Notre Dame (31-6-3) comes in at number five.

The River Hawks were 20-16-2 in 2008-09, catching fire over the final three months to upset both Vermont and Northeastern in the Hockey East playoffs, falling just short in the conference finals to eventual NCAA Champions Boston University.

UMass Lowell returns eight of its top 10 scorers from last season, including its entire top five. The defense remains unchanged, with all six defensemen and both goaltenders skating for the River Hawks again in 2009-10.

"It's a nice recognition that others hold our players in high regard against all of college hockey," head coach Blaise MacDonald said of the ranking. "It gives our program some worthy recognition, but the games are played on the ice during the season."

The write-up for UMass Lowell reads as follows:
"The River Hawks have not made the NCAA Tournament since 1996, but they have all the components necessary to make a lengthy run this season.
`This is the first time since I've been here that we have veterans in every key area,' ninth-year coach Blaise MacDonald says.
Scott Campbell (14 goals, 16 assists) and Hockey East All-Rookie selection David Vallorani (9, 18) headline a list of 12 returning forwards. All-American Maury Edwards (11, 18) leads a veteran corps of defensemen, while seniors Nevin Hamilton (10-7-1, 2.15 GAA, .925 save percentage) and Carter Hutton (9-8-1, 2.06, .916) form a potent pair between the pipes."

The article also places Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, Alb.) as a Second-Team Sporting News Preseason All-American.

The high praise was echoed by College Hockey News and Inside College Hockey, as the River Hawks were ranked ninth in CHN's annual Preseason Top 10 and ninth in ICH's 10 for '10.

The complete Sporting News Preseason Top 20 is listed below.