BOSTON — The University of Maine men’s hockey team is ranked fourth in the preseason Hockey East coaches poll, released today at the league’s media day at TD Garden.

Boston College was named the preseason No. 1, earning seven first-place votes, ahead of Boston University and New Hampshire.

The Black Bears finished fifth in the league in 2010-2011, with a record of 17-12-7 and 14-8-5 in league play and were eliminated by Merrimack in the first round of the Hockey East playoffs.

The Black Bears are ranked No. 15 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine preseason top 15 poll and No. 16 in the USCHO.com preseason top 25 poll and open the season at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 against Merrimack at Alfond Arena.