USCHO NESCAC Preview

United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) NESCAC writer Tim Costello has posted his predictions for the 2013-14 NESCAC season and they differ a bit from D3Hockey.com's prognostications. The consensus pick to repeat as champion is Bowdoin, but where D3H had Trinity finishing fifth, Costello has them finishing second. As we said earlier, Trinity is the wildcard in this year's class, losing their top line but returning the best goaltender in the conference and bringing in a very strong recruiting class. We don't know yet who exactly is on the full recruiting list, since the Bantams are the lone 'Cac holdout in releasing their roster. 

Middlebury is one spot lower in USCHO's eyes than D3H's view at third, while Williams is fifth, instead of tied for third with Amherst, who is fourth for Costello. We like Williams higher, but Costello, while still granting the Ephs their 'Cac championship aspirations, cites a short roster and the need for freshman to contribute offensively to their middle of the road ranking. 

Colby (7), Conn College (9) and Tufts (10) are all the same in both projections, while Wesleyan (6) and Hamilton (8) switch spots from the D3H predictions.

USCHO  Projected 2013-14 NESCAC Standings

1. Bowdoin

2. Trinity

3. Middlebury

4. Amherst

5. Williams

6. Wesleyan

7. Colby

8. Hamilton

9. Conn College

10. Tufts 

Read More: Tim Costello, USCHO - - Bowdoin looks to be early favorite in the NESCAC