Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Robert Morris University men's ice hockey team was chosen to finish eighth in Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) for the upcoming 2012-13 season according to a poll of conference head coaches. 

Despite earning a first place vote, the Colonials were predicted to finish in the bottom half of the league.  The other two teams to receive first-place votes – Air Force and Niagara – were predicted to finish first and second in the AHA, respectively. 

Robert Morris will look to replace a rather large senior class from the 2011-12 season.  Last season, the Colonials led the NCAA in penalty kill thanks in large part to a senior-heavy squad that took on the bulk of the special teams' minutes.  Seven of the ten graduating seniors were forwards and head coach Derek Schooley looks to a group of eleven newcomers to fill some vital roles.

“I like the enthusiasm the freshmen have brought to the team.  We are going to give the returning forwards the first shot a filing the special teams' roles but we will also integrate some freshmen into the mix as well.” Schooley also added, “I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Eric Levine; he will be our go-to guy to carry us throughout the season.  Along with him, our defenders have all killed penalties.  Our goaltending and defense will have to support the forwards as they adjust to their roles.”

While selected eighth in the preseason poll, Schooley believes that there is a sense of parity in the league.

“There are a lot of good teams in the league; this was shown last season as the top teams were separated by five points.  That parity is shown this year as we ended up ranked eighth even though we were one of three teams to receive a first-place vote.”

The Colonials open their season with an exhibition game against Wilfred Laurier on Sunday, October 7th with faceoff scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

2012-13 Atlantic Hockey Association Preseason Coaches' Poll 

(First-place votes in parenthesis)

1 – Air Force (8) - 112

2 – Niagara (3) - 101

3 – Mercyhurst - 89

4(t) – Bentley - 87

4(t) – RIT - 87

6 – Holy Cross - 74

7 – Connecticut - 65

8 – Robert Morris (1) - 61

9 – Canisius - 38

10 – Army - 30

11 – AIC - 20

12 – Sacred Heart - 19