CENTERVILLE, Mass. - After winning its second consecutive ECAC Northeast Tournament Championship and sixth in program history, the Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards are favored to repeat in 2013-2014. Wentworth, the regular season and tournament champion in 2013, received first place votes on all but one ballot for a total of 63 points of a possible 64. Last year's tournament runner-up Salve Regina University comes in at No. 2 in the Preseason Head Coaches' Poll, followed by Curry College and Nichols College. Western New England University was two points behind the Bison, completing the top five.

The 2013-2014 season opens up this weekend with four ECAC Northeast teams taking to the ice Friday. Western New England will head to Westfield State University for a 3:30pm start and Johnson & Wales University will battle Franklin Pierce on the road. Wentworth and Becker College will take part in the fifth annual IC Federal Credit Union Shootout at Fitchburg State University on Friday and Saturday. The Leopards will take on Worcester State University at 5pm on Friday and the Hawks will face host Fitchburg State at 8pm. To follow all the action for this season, log on towww.ecacdiiihockey.com. The ECAC is a proud co-host of the 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four in Philadelphia, Pa. For more information regarding the 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, visit www.ncaa.com/frozenfour. For information on the 2014 NCAA Division III Frozen Four Click Here.

2013-2014 ECAC Northeast Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll Results