CAPE COD, Mass. – The Neumann University men's ice hockey team tops the 2010-11 ECAC West Pre-Season Coaches Poll.

Neumann received 23 points overall and three first place votes. Manhattanville is right behind Neumann with 22 points and two first place votes. Elmira (15), Hobart (8) and Utica (7) round out the poll.

Last season, the Knights compiled a 15-9-3 overall record, 7-5-3 in conference action. Neumann advanced to the conference semifinals, where it fell to Elmira, 4-2.

The top returners for the Knights are William Lacasse and Marlon Gardner. Both ended the season with 25 points. Lacasse was named to the ECAC West First Team All-Conference and had a team-high 22 assists. Mat Valois led the team in goals last season, netting 14. Gardner was second on the team with 12.

Junior forward Bill Foster has been named the Captain for the season. Senior defensemen Jeff Rodell and Sean Bianchini and sophomore forward Sean Crozier are the Assistant Captains.

Neumann begins with three games on the road this season, starting tonight at 7 p.m. at SUNY-Geneseo. The Knights begin their home schedule on November 12 when they host Elmira in ECAC West action.