University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Picked Second in Hockey East Preseason Coaches’ Poll
9/21/2026 3:27:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
STORRS, Conn. – UConn women's hockey was voted to finish in second place in the Hockey East Association Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Huskies are coming off their second Hockey East Championship in the last three years under head coach Chris MacKenzie, who is entering his 14th season in Storrs. Under MacKenzie, UConn has captured four Hockey East trophies over the last three seasons, two regular season titles, and two tournament championships.
UConn returns Hockey East All-Stars, Claire Murdoch, Julia Pellerin, and Maya Serdachny to its 2026-27 roster. Murdoch, a two-time conference All-Star enters her junior season wearing the captain's C. She played in all 39 games last season, tying the program's single season record with 27 assists while adding 12 goals.
Pellerin enters her second season in Storrs. The senior forward is a three-time Hockey All-Star selection. Pellerin played in all 39 games in 2025-26, ranking third on the Huskies roster with 30 points on 14 goals and 16 assists in her first season in Storrs.
Serdachny is coming off a breakout junior season in which she earned conference All-Star honors for the first time in her career. She played in all 39 games last season, and led UConn's blue line in goals (6), assists (15), and points (21), all career highs. Serdachny also finished with a team-best +22 in plus/minus.
1. Northeastern – 89 (8)
2. UConn - 83 (2)
3. Boston College - 64
T4. Boston University – 60
T4. Holy Cross– 60
6. Vermont – 54
7. New Hampshire – 42
8. Maine – 33
9. Providence– 31
10. Merrimack -24
First place votes in parenthesis
