/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/98555/gyi0062353815.jpg)
Air Force has been selected by the Atlantic Hockey Association as the preseason favorites to repeat as regular season champions, according to Atlantic Hockey Online. The selection was based on the polling of coaches in the 12-school AHA, which includes Army, Bentley University, University of Connecticut, Mercyhurst Univerisity and Niagara Univerisity.
The Falcons received eight first-place votes, a year after winning the regular season and tournament championships last season. Niagara received three first place votes and comes in at No. 2 in the rankings, with Mercyhurst close behind.
The full rankings:
1. Air Force (8) 112
2. Niagara (3) 101
3. Mercyhurst 89
4. Bentley 87
5. Rochester Institute of Technology 87
6. Holy Cross 74
7. Connecticut 65
8. Robert Morris (1) 61
9. Canisius 38
10. Army 30
11. American International 20
12. Sacred Heart 19
(First Place votes)
Air Force begins the season with an exhibition game against British Columbia on Monday, Oct. 7. The 2013 Atlantic Hockey Tournament will be held starting Friday, March 8.