First Ice Hockey Poll of 2018-19 Season Released

Defending Division I champion Fairfield Prep topped the list of the best boys ice hockey programs in Connecticut, according to results of the initial balloting of a panel of state sports media and coaches.

The Jesuits received first-place nods from 10 of 14 voters to claim the top position. Division I semifinalist Ridgefield collected three top votes to place second, while Division I runner-up Greenwich garnered the other first-place vote to wind up third.

Here are the top 10, plus all other programs receiving votes.

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

Also receiving votes: Farmington Valley, Guilford, Simsbury, New Fairfield/Immaculate, Branford, Watertown/Pomperaug, Eastern CT Eagles, South Windsor, West Haven.

Voters: Coaches: Ken Barse, Glastonbury; Shaun Gallagher, Ridgefield; Matt Sather, Fairfield Prep; Larry Vieira, Notre Dame-West Haven. Media: Sean Begin, Hartford Courant; Luke Devoe, CTHSHockey.org; 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; Peter Vander Veer, HAN Network.

File photo credit: Tim Jensen

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