With the 2017-18 college hockey season over, it’s never too early to start thinking about how Hockey East will shake up in 2018-19.
This season was a disappointing one for Hockey East as the regular season champion Boston College failed to make the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season. No league team was present at the recently completed Frozen Four, won by Minnesota Duluth.
While further early departures and commitments and de-commitments can change the landscape, here’s an early look at one prognosticator’s preseason rankings:
1. Providence
The Friars lose two key pieces up front in two-way center Brian Pinho, who graduated, and right wing Erik Foley who turned pro a year early. However, Nate Leaman’s team returns quite a few key forwards, including Brandon Duhaime, Josh Wilkins, Kasper Bjorkqvist, Scott Conway and Vimal Sukumaran.