BOSTON – Just 10 days away from puck drop on the 2017-18 season opener, Suffolk men's hockey has been pegged ninth in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Preseason Poll, in a vote by the league's 10 head coaches, the conference office announced Wednesday afternoon. 

Suffolk picked up 30 points to finished ahead of Becker, who collected 27. 

The conference top contender is reigning and inaugural CCC men's hockey champion, Endicott. The Gulls earned all, but one first-place nod to garner 99 points, finished ahead of the University of New England (85) and Salve Regina (78), who picked up the other first-place vote. 

Chris Glionna, the winningest coach in Suffolk men's hockey history, continues his reign as the Rams' head coach and enters his 14th season on the bench. The Rams welcome back eight of their top ten scorers from a year ago highlighted by juniors Tommy Bishop (5-12-17) and Connor Parent (6-4-10). Fellow junior Connor Henry and senior Jack Jenkins will look to add a spark to Suffolk's attack. 

Suffolk will call upon the experienced netminder junior Michael Levine to be the back bone of the defensive unit. A year ago, Levine defended between the pipes for the Rams in 16 games, starting 13, for a 3.79 goals against average and save percentage .894. Anchoring the blue line for the blue and gold are senior Shayne Bailey and juniors Mikhail Bryan, Sean Henry, and LJ Fellows. 

Fans will get their first glimpse of Suffolk men's hockey in 2017 Saturday, Oct. 28 at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Rink in Charleston versus Assumption. The Rams and Greyhounds will meet for the eighth straight year in Suffolk's season opener at 7:30 p.m.