For the second consecutive year, Syracuse was picked to finish third in the College Hockey America (CHA) Preseason Coaches Poll. The defending CHA champions received 10 total votes, including two for first place.

Mercyhurst, who Syracuse beat en route to winning the conference last season, was tabbed to finish first. Robert Morris, who lost to the Orange in the CHA championship game last season, was also picked ahead of Syracuse.

Last year, SU finished 10-8-2 in CHA play but lost to Robert Morris by a combined score of 9-2 in its last two games of the regular season. Riding a hot streak from both their goalies, the Orange gave up just two goals per game.

The Orange return three of their top-five point-scorers from last season and four of their top-five goal-scorers. SU starts its season on Sunday with an exhibition against Montreal at Tennity Ice Pavilion.