Ice Hockey Picked Third in NE-10 Preseason Poll

SOUTH EASTON, Mass. - The Southern New Hampshire University ice hockey team was picked to finish third in the Northeast-10 preseason coaches' poll released Monday afternoon.  The Penmen were picked third behind Saint Anselm College, who received four first place votes, and Saint Michael's College, which earned the other two first-place nods.

Southern New Hampshire returns 21 players, including its top four and 11 of its top 13 scorers from a season ago.  Leading the returnees is junior Troy Maybury (South Portland, Maine), who was named Northeast-10 Player of the Year as a sophomore after totaling 19 goals and 14 assists for 33 points last season.  Bobby Bryant (Nashua, N.H.) notched a team-high 20 assists and finished with 29 points last season, while Ryan DiBartolomeo (Leominster, Mass.) (8-16-24) and John Frey (Westminster, Colo.) (9-12-21) also return.

The Penmen open up the 2009-10 season on Sunday, November 8, when they travel to Johnson and Wales University for a 2:05 contest.  Southern New Hampshire opens its home schedule two days later by hosting Western New England at The Ice Den, then opens Northeast-10 play November 17 at Franklin Pierce.