The United Collegiate Hockey Conference is pleased to announce its 2024-25 Men's Preseason Coaches' Poll. The 2024-25 UCHC Preseason Poll is voted on by all six league coaches with three-time defending champion Utica University selected as the top team in the conference at the start of the year for the seventh consecutive season.
Utica garnered five of the six first place votes and 25 total points. Utica has won all seven regular season championships since the conference began play in 2017-18. The Pioneers are attempting to win their sixth UCHC title, having also won in 2017-18, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23 and last season. The Pioneers rolled to an impressive 24-3-3 record in 2023-24, including a 19-0-1 mark in UCHC play. Utica, who begins the season ranked No. 4 nationally, advanced to the 2024 NCAA Division III Frozen Four.
UCHC newcomer SUNY Geneseo earned the other first place vote and is selected to finish second in the 2024-25 preseason poll. The Knights begin the season ranked seventh nationally after finishing the 2023-24 season with a 21-6-0 record, while earning the SUNYAC Regular Season Championship and advancing to the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Nazareth University, who advanced to the 2023 UCHC Championship game and earned a UCHC postseason berth last season, is selected to finish third overall with 14 points.
Manhattanville University and UCHC newcomer SUNY Brockport both earned 11 points in the preseason poll, tied for fourth. Manhattanville finished fifth in the UCHC standings last season, advancing to the opening round of the league tournament. Brockport won eight games advanced to the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament last season.
Chatham University garnered eight points overall and is predicted to finish sixth. Last season, the Cougars placed sixth in the UCHC standings and advanced to the first round of the UCHC Tournament.
2024-25 UCHC Men's Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Utica – 25 Points (5 First Place Votes)
2. SUNY Geneseo – 21 Points (1 First Place Vote)
3. Nazareth - 14 Points
T4. SUNY Brockport – 11 Points
T4. Manhattanville - 11 Points
6. Chatham - 8 Points
Next week, the UCHC will unveil its 2024-25 Players to Watch. Exhibition action continues this weekend before the regular season formally begins on Friday, Nov. 1. Conference play starts a week later.
