Hockey East preseason polls favor Boston College, Providence

Defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and the BC Eagles are off to a 2-5 start. (courtesy photo)

The coaches and media had a slight disagreement when it came to which program could win Hockey East in 2018-19.

Boston College was picked atop the Hockey East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, while Providence earned top billing in the Hockey East Writers and Broadcasters Association Preseason Poll.

Both polls were released in conjunction with the league’s annual preseason media luncheon held Monday at the TD Garden in Boston.

The Eagles only graduated one player and didn't lose anyone early to professional hockey. Jerry York's club will be led by standout junior goaltender Joseph Woll, a Toronto Maple Leafs' pick. On defense, captains Casey Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.) and Michael Kim will be key contributors. The offense returns leading scorer Logan Hutsko, a Florida Panthers' draft pick. The potential wildcard is freshman Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.), a first-round pick of the New York Islanders. The Quincy, Mass., native is expected to provide a big boost to the team's goal-scoring department.