The most competitive season in history. That's what ECAC coaches say about the '80-'81 race, with as many as 11 teams battling it out for the eight post-season berths.

The name on top of most lists is Boston College. The Eagles started last season on fire, and didn't cool off until playoff time. Although goal-hungry Bill Army has departed from that talented crew, the size, speed and experience of the remaining forwards and a tenacious defense led by two excellent goaltenders should put the Eagles near the top by season's end.

"I think Boston College has tremendous depth," New Hampshire's Charlie Holt said. "Even though they lost some players from last year, their strength and balance is so good."

Eagles' coach Len Ceglarski thinks his team is among the best, but won't say just how good. "Every team is better than last year," he says. "This will be the closest race in years."

Right behind B.C. in the polling was Providence College. "A superior recruiting year has given Providence great depth throughout," one Northern Division coach says. "Providence is just so strong and deep up front," a New England coach agrees.

The team with the greatest capacity to surprise will be Clarkson. An Empire Division coach stresses, "They were the best team in the country last year. I don't know about their situation in goal, but if they come up with one they'll win the league."

A Boston-based rival agrees. "Clarkson has an awful lot of experience and a very hungry team. The only reason they didn't win it all last year was the goaltending. I think they've solved that problem."

If so, the Golden Knights, led by 28-goal scorer Mike Prestige, may indeed be the best in the nation. If not, they'll have to battle for a playoff spot.

Last year's ECAC champion, Cornell, has been picked to win the Ivy Division and finish in the top four overall (thus earning home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs). If Big Red goalie Darren Eliot cannot continue the standout performance he turned in during last year's playoffs, however, look for Vermont to sneak into the fourth spot.

The Catamounts, led by the circuit's premier player and scoring champ Craig Homola, suffer from a lack of defensive depth and goaltending. "But they'll be tough," one division rival says. "Everyone thinks all they have is Homola, but that's not true. They're deep up front."

Although it's only good for third (behind B.C. and P.C.) in the power-laden Southern Division, New Hampshire's Wildcats are predicted sixth overall. "UNH is my upset choice for number one," a Boston-area coach says.

Two traditional powers, Dartmouth and Boston University, will also field strong sextets this year. The Big Green grabbed the runner-up spot in last year's ECAC's, but 30-goal scorer Ross Brownridge is gone. The Terriers missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years last season and will be a borderline team again, the coaches' choice for eighth with 15 points, just one ahead of Harvard and Colgate.

Harvard coach Bill Cleary declines to make any predictions, but repeats the prevailing attitude that this will be a wide-open season. "They're all going to be tough," he says. "Predictions? I wouldn't know where to start." Coaches Pick ECAC Top Ten Top ECAC teams as chosen by coaches 1. Boston College  94 points 2. Providence  86 points 3. Clarkson  75 points 4. Cornell  52 points 5. Vermont  42 points 6. New Hampshire  35 points 7. Dartmouth  23 points 8. Boston University  15 points 9. (TIE) Harvard  14 points Colgate  14 points