ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth's men's hockey team, set to begin its 10th season of intercollegiate play, is picked to finish in eighth place in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference for 2021-22. The poll was voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.

Utica, on the strength of six first-place votes and 78 points overall, is picked to finish first. Utica has won all four regular-season championships since the conference began play in 2017-18. The Pioneers are attempting to win their third UCHC title, having also won in 2017-18 and 2019-20. The Pioneers finished 8-2-0 overall and 7-1-0 during the 2020-21 season, which was shortened due to COVID-19.
 
Stevenson University was second in the 2021-22 UCHC Men's Preseason poll, with 74 total points and three first place votes. The Mustangs went 7-1-1 in UCHC play last season and 12-3-1 overall, advancing to the UCHC Championship game.
 
Wilkes University, who advanced to the 2019-20 UCHC Championship game and went 6-3-0 in league play last season, collected the final first place vote and is selected to finish third overall with 67 points. Chatham University and Lebanon Valley College finished in a tie for fourth in the preseason poll, each collecting 49 points.
 
Neumann (41 points), Manhattanville (33 points), Nazareth (31 points), King's (19 points) and Arcadia (12 points) round out the 2021-22 UCHC Men's Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Golden Flyers, with a roster fortified by 14 new players, including 13 freshmen, host Geneseo in an exhibition game Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex. Nazareth's first regular-season game is Oct. 29 against Elmira at 7:30 p.m.

2021-22 UCHC Men's Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Utica - 78 Points (6 First Place Votes)
2. Stevenson - 74 Points (3 First Place Votes)
3. Wilkes - 67 Points (1 First Place Vote)
4t. Chatham - 49 Points
4t. Lebanon Valley - 49 Points
6. Neumann - 41 Points
7. Manhattanville - 33 Points
8. Nazareth - 31 Points
9. King's - 19 Points
10. Arcadia - 12 Points