DANBURY, Conn. – Returning 22 players from a team that finished 12-13-2 and made its fourth straight appearance in the ECAC Northeast title game, the Wentworth Institute of Technology ice hockey team has been picked to finish fifth in the pre-season coaches poll. The Leopards received 36 points from the league's eight head coaches.

Defending conference champion Nichols, which defeated the Leopards, 3-2, in overtime, was picked to repeat as champion as the Bison garnered six of eight first-place votes and 62 points. Salve Regina picked up the remaining first-place votes and was picked to finish second with 52 points, while Curry and Johnson & Wales each received 41 points to finish tied for third.

Four of the top six leading scorers from a season ago return for the Leopards, who will be guided by first-year head coach Jay Pecora. Senior forward Mike Domsodi (Kirkland, Que.) scored 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) as a junior, followed by classmate Jordan Bourgonje (Spruce Grove, Alta.) who recorded six goals and eight assists for 14 points.

Senior defenseman Beau Burgau (New Ulm, Minn.), an All-ECAC Northeast selection a season ago, returns after scoring four goals and assisting on six others for 10 points. Senior Sean McLaughlin (North Billerica, Mass.) had five goals and five assists as a junior for the Black & Gold.

Between the pipes, Wentworth will rely on senior Alex Peck (Kirkland, Que.), who posted an 8-5-2 record with a 2.52 goals against average and an .898 save percentage last season, and junior Joel Miller (Calgary, Alta.), who was 4-8-0 with a 2.71 goals against average and an .899 save percentage.

Wentworth opens the 2014-15 campaign on Friday (October 31) against Worcester State at the IC Federal Credit Union Shootout in Fitchburg, Mass. On Saturday, the Leopards will face the host Falcons.

Full Preseason Poll: