BOSTON - Merrimack College head coach Mark Dennehy isn't bothered that his team has been picked to finish last, once again, in the Hockey East coaches poll announced at yesterday at the TD Banknorth Garden.

The Warriors finished with 19 points in the poll, which means that only one coach in the league did not pick them to finish at the bottom of the 10-team league. And, even that coach (who is unnamed, of course), picked them second to last.

This was the sixth straight season Merrimack was picked to finish last. The Warriors have made a bit of habit of surprising the critics. Twice in the last five years they've finished second to last.

"I'm excited for this season. We feel that we finally have a full complement of players who can compete at this level," Dennehy said. "We've really had to take this program down to its foundation. That's why he will have 20-plus freshmen and sophomores this year, but we think those guys can contribute."

The Warriors also get back their leading-scorer from two years ago, Rob Ricci, after he sat out all of last season due to a team-imposed suspension. Ricci tallied 10 goals and 16 assists en route to Hockey East All-Rookie team honors in 2005-06.

"Having Rob Ricci back is huge as well," added Dennehy. "He led all freshmen in scoring in the entire league two years ago. With one captain this year (Derek Pallardy) we are going to look to a guy like Ricci, and (junior goaltender) Pat Watson, and even some sophomores to step up and be leaders for us.

"The captaincy is in great hands with Derek, our guys call him 'coach,' but myself, and our coaches, understand that we will have to be leaders as well; probably more than other clubs."

King is soaring at BC

Salem's Katie King takes over as the new women's head coach at Boston College. She replaced Tom Mutch who resigned this past spring amid allegations of sexually-explicit text messages being exchanged with sophomore forward Kelli Stack.

For King, it's her first crack at a head coaching job. She was an assistant with the Eagles for the past four years.

"It's great, I am really looking forward to the opportunity," said King, a 1997 Brown graduate who starred for three U.S. Olympic teams. "Obviously I've played for quite a few coaches. I think you learn from everyone that you play for. You can take some things you like about each coach you play for and put them together and become your own coach. I had Digit Murphy in college, and being an assistant to Tom Mutch these last few years was a great experience."

Without Trevor, it's time for Thompson

Derry's Paul Thompson wasn't supposed to start his UNH career until 2008-09. But, he pushed his freshman season up a year after the Wildcats lost star-forward Trevor Smith to the New York Islanders.

Thompson, last year's EJHL MVP, played last season with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs. He was slated to return to that team this season before the Wildcats came calling.

"He was ready, he is a talented kid and he is very skilled," said UNH head coach Dick Umile. "When Trevor (Smith) left, there was an opportunity for him to come in this year. He can come in and play for us and we think he can make an impact right away."

Thompson had the dubious honor of being the highest ranked North American skater (ranked 78th in that category) not picked in June's NHL draft. He remains eligible for the 2008 draft.

McCarthy readies for bigger role

Throughout his first two seasons with Boston University, Andover's John McCarthy has been primarily a fourth-line center. This season, head coach Jack Parker will look to the St. John's Prep grad for more offense, while still sticking to the things he does best.

"John will be given the opportunity to play in a lot more key offensive situations," Parker said. "We probably should have moved him up last year. He won't be just a penalty killer and fourth-line center like in the past. He is so good killing penalties though, we need to use him there, but he will get more offensive ice time, too."



The Hockey East Coaches Poll

Place%Team (1st Place Votes)%Pts.

1.tie%Boston College (5)%84

1.tie%New Hampshire (5)%84

3.%Boston University%77

4.%Maine%61

5.%UMass Amherst%54

5.%Vermont%54

7.%Northeastern%43

8.%Providence%39

9.%UMass Lowell%25

10.%Merrimack%19