Seahawks picked seventh in ECAC Northeast Coaches' Poll

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina University men's ice hockey team was picked to finish seventh in the 2009-10 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast Ice Hockey League Coaches Poll.

Led by third-year head coach Andy LeColst, the Seahawks received 16 points after posting a 3-17-2 (3-13-1 EACC) mark in 2008-09. The team returns their top four scorers from last season, including junior Ryan Petersen (Shrewsbury, N.J.), who led the Seahawks in goals (13), assists (14), and points (27) while recording at least one point in 12 of the team's final 13 games. Bryan Russell (Essex Junction, Vt.) is also back for his junior campaign after recording 19 points on 10 goals and nine assists. Senior Patrick Bambery (Braintree, Mass.) (11-6-17) and junior Joe Colaianni (Monroe, N.Y.) (8-9-17) are also expected to contribute on offense.

On defense, sophomore Andy DeSimone (Burlington, Mass.) returns after scoring seven points (1-6-7) in 19 games last season while junior Eric Spalt (Barnstable, Mass.) and senior Nate Burns (Sandwich, Mass.) each recorded six points from the blue line. Sophomore Ben Bradley (Newburyport, Mass.) is the team's incumbent No. 1 goalkeeper.

Curry College received five of the eight first-place votes and 53 total points to grab the top spot in the poll. Defending ECAC Northeast playoff champion Nichols was next with 48 points and two first-place votes, followed by Wentworth in third place with 46 points and one first-place vote. Johnson & Wales was fourth with 28 points, followed by Becker (24 points), Suffolk (23 points), Salve Regina (16 points), and Western New England (14 points).

The Seahawks open the 2009-10 season on Friday, Nov. 13 when they travel to Biddeford, Maine for a 7 p.m. contest with the University of New England.