CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canisius was picked to finish second in the Atlantic Hockey Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, released during the league’s annual media day Tuesday.
The Golden Griffins received four first-place votes and 92 total points, five points back of two-time defending Atlantic Hockey Tournament champion Air Force, which garnered the other seven first-place votes and 97 points to claim the top spot.
2018 AHC Tournament runner-up Robert Morris (66) was third, followed by defending regular season champion Mercyhurst (65). AIC (60), Army (55), RIT (49), Holy Cross (40), Bentley (31), Sacred Heart (29) and Niagara (21) rounded out the poll.
Canisius welcomes back 20 letterwinners from its 2017-18 squad that finished second in the Atlantic Hockey regular-season standings with a 17-11-0 record and advanced to the semifinals of the postseason tournament for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
The Griffs return eight of their top nine scorers from a season ago, led by Hobey Baker Top Ten Finalist and 2017-18 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year Dylan McLaughlin, who ranked among the top-10 players nationally in points (1.30/7th) and assists (0.84/8th) per game.
Fellow All-Atlantic Hockey First Team selection Cameron Heath also returns after leading the Blue and Gold defensemen in goals (7), assists (14) and points (21).
Canisius begins preparations for the 2018-19 campaign Oct. 6 with an exhibition contest against Toronto before opening the regular season with a two-game series at Holy Cross Oct. 12-13.
Season and individual-game tickets are available. They can be purchased by calling 716-888-TIXX or by clicking here.
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