Initial Boys Ice Hockey Poll of Season Posted

CONNECTICUT — Back-to-back Division I state championships has made Fairfield Prep the preseason favorite of Connecticut coaches and sports media members in the initial high school boys ice hockey poll for the 2019-20 season.

The Jesuits got first-place nods from 10 of the 13 voters. Darien received two top mentions and Ridgefield had one.

Here are the top 10, plus all other programs collecting votes. NOTE: balloting concluded prior to the first official games being played.

1. Fairfield Prep
2. Darien
3. Notre Dame-West Haven
4. (tie) Ridgefield
4. (tie) Greenwich
6. Xavier
7. New Canaan
8. (tie) Hamden
8. (tie) West Haven
10. Northwest Catholic

Also receiving votes: Branford, Notre Dame-Fairfield, Westhill/Stamford, Sheehan, Farmington Valley, Glastonbury, Daniel Hand, Immaculate.

Voters: Coaches -Dean Diamond, Housatonic; Shaun Gallagher, Ridgefield; Matt Sather, Fairfield Prep; Larry Vieira, Notre Dame-West Haven. Media - Luke Devoe, CTHSHockey.org; Erik Dobratz, WTNH-8; Michael Fornabaio, Connecticut Post; Tim Jensen, Patch Media Corp.; Greg Lederer, Cheshire Herald; Mike Madera, Elm City Newspapers; Dan Nowak, New Haven Register; Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media; Jim Stout, MaxPreps.com.