MASCAC Release Ice Hockey Preseason Poll

FITCHBURG, MA: The MASCAC released today the coach's votes for the 2024-25 Preseason Poll. The Falcons were voted to place second this coming season, right behind the defending regular season and tournament champions Plymouth State. 

The Panthers earned eight first-place votes to be in the top spot. They finished the 2023-24 season with an 18-1-2 mark in league action. Reigning MASCAC Player of the Year Will Redick returns after he collected 55 points on 26 goals and 29 assists with his points per game (2.20), goals per game (1.04), assists per game (1.16) and power play goals (11) leading all of Division III.

Sitting in second place is Fitchburg State. The Falcons finished with a 13-6-2 mark during the conference slate last season. Michael Imala had a strong first season with the team, registering 19 points on ten goals and nine assists while netting four game-winners and two power-play goals.

Joining the MASCAC this season and in the third spot with a first place vote is Anna Maria. The AMCATS return Braeden McKinnon, who, in his first year with the team, had 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points, along with three game-winners and three power-play goals.

UMass Dartmouth comes in fourth after going 13-8 in conference play. Reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year, Collin Patterson is back. Last season, he was third in the league in points with 35 while landing fifth in goals (16) and assists (19). He also registered two hat tricks and two game-winning goals last season for the Corsairs.

Westfield State is next up in the fifth spot. The Owls were 9-10-2 in 2023-24. Returning is All-Conference honoree Christopher Miraldo, who netted 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points over the course of the season. He also made use of the power play with five goals and two game-winners.

Picked to finish sixth is MASCAC newcomer Rivier. Damon Kiyawasew led the Raiders with seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in his first year with the squad, with two game-winners and a power play goal to earn a spot on the DIII All-Independent honors.

Worcester State is up next in seventh. The Lancers had seven wins in league play last season. Brian Clougherty collected five goals and seven assists for 12 points while draining game-winning and power-play goals for the team.

Coming in eighth in Salem State after winning six MASCAC games in 2023-24. The Vikings bring back Zach Dill, who had 27 points on nine goals and 18 assists, plus three power-play tallies and a game-winning goal.

Rounding out the 2024-25 preseason poll are Framingham State and MCLA in ninth and 10th, respectively. The Rams collected eight wins last season. Returning for the team is Ashton Collazo, who collected seven goals and nine assists for 16 points with two game-winners and a power play tally. The Trailblazers return All-Conference goalie Mat Gover, who led the league in saves with 837 while tallying a 3.40 GAA and .922 save percentage.

The 2024-25 season begins next weekend with non-conference action for the MASCAC teams and league play beginning mid-November. For all the game schedules, scores, stats, and recaps, use mascac. com.

Full MASCAC Poll:

2024-25 MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll (First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1. Plymouth State (9) 81 points

2. Fitchburg State 76 points

3. Anna Maria (1) 64 points

4. UMass Dartmouth 55 points

5. Westfield State 49 points

6. Rivier 38 points

7. Worcester State 29 points

8. Salem State 27 points

9. Framingham State 17 points

10. MCLA 14 points