BOSTON – The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team was picked to finish third in the 2005-2006 Preseason Hockey East Coaches Poll.

The Black Bears received a total of 71 votes, behind Boston College with 82 points and New Hampshire with 79. The Black Bears also received two first-place votes.

Following Boston College in the poll were New Hampshire (79, four first place votes), Maine (71, two first place votes), UMass Lowell (71), Boston University (67, two first place votes), Vermont (47), Massachusetts (42), Providence (33), Northeastern (30), and Merrimack (18).

Last season, the Black Bears were picked to finish second in the league, but finished fourth in the regular season and advanced to the Hockey East semifinals.

Maine reached the NCAA Tournament for the seventh straight season with a 20-13-7 record.