WINTHROP, Mass. - The Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) released its annual preseason coaches' poll on Wednesday and the Purple Eagles were tabbed to finish fourth in the conference.

Niagara, which advanced to the 2014 AHA Tournament Semifinals, was one of four teams to earn a first place vote on the way to 69 points to tie with Bentley for fourth place. Mercyhurst was picked to win the conference with six first place votes, followed by Robert Morris (89) and Air Force (80). Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius did not earn a first place vote and was picked to finish sixth with 52 votes, followed by RIT (47), Holy Cross (44), Sacred Heart (28), Army (20) and AIC (12).

The top three leaders in scoring - Hugo Turcotte (29 points), Isaac Kohls (24 points) and TJ Sarcona (22 points) - all return for the 2014-15 campaign. Also returning is goalie Jackson Teichroeb, a three-time AHA Rookie of the Week award winner who posted a 2.75 GAA and a .907 save percentage in 29 games between the pipes, and AHA All-Rookie team selection defenseman Vincent Muto.

The Purple Eagles face Brock on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3:00 p.m. in an exhibition matchup. The season begins in earnest when the Purple and White host Clarkson on Fri, Oct. 10 before St. Lawrence comes to campus on Sat. Oct, 11. Puck drop for both games is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Dwyer Arena.

For ticket information, please contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-TIXX (8499) or visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets.

2014-15 Atlantic Hockey Association Preseason Coaches' Poll