By Mike Zhe
Here are New England Hockey Journal’s preseason power rankings of the region’s top Division 3 men’s college teams:
1. Norwich
Cadets have whole package. Pier-Olivier Cotnoir, Kyle Thomas, Travis Janke and most of the others are back from a team that led Division 3 in scoring.
2. Bowdoin
Tons back for the Polar Bears, who had the best offense in the NESCAC last season.
3. Wentworth
Reigning ECAC Northeast champs look very similar in November to how they did in the NCAAs last March.
4. Amherst
Huge loss in net, but lots back from a Frozen Four team up front and on the blueline.
5. Plymouth State
Players like Kyle Greco, Richie Zobak and Jack Astedt make defending champ Panthers the clear team to beat in the MASCAC.
6. Castleton State
Spartans spent preseason on a European tour. Domestic goals include knocking Norwich from its perch in ECAC East.
7. Middlebury
Huge freshman class should bolster Panthers’ depth, but they need to find more offense after graduating top three scorers from a tepid attack.
8. Salem State
Nick Lampson leads a powerful Vikings offense that should have plenty of motivation after losing last year’s MASCAC final in double OT.
9. Trinity
Menard twins, experience and a seasoned goalie make Bantams a legit top-four team in the NESCAC.
10. Western New England
Defenseman Adam Bristol, forward Brandon Stroud and goalie Eric Sorenson are three of the shining young stars in the ECAC Northeast.
This article originally appeared in the November 2012 issue of New England Hockey Journal.
Twitter: @MikeZhe603
Email: mzhe@hockeyjournal.com