Let's face it: the ECAC could very well be the best college hockey conference in the nation. After sweeping the Big Three last year--Best Team (Harvard), Best Player (Hobey Baker Winner Lane MacDonald) and Best Coach (AHCA Coach of the Year Joe Marsh of St. Lawrence)--those teams from the East should once again prove that it rules college hockey. No other conference has so much depth. We're not talking Michigan State against Ferris State, here, folks.

This year's favorite is NCAA champion Harvard (see team preview, page 4). Even without MacDonald and Allen Bourbeau, the Crimson still has the talent and the tradition. That alone should propel Harvard to the top of the ECAC standings.

But like any other 12-team league, there are many contenders, especially since the ECAC expanded its post-season tournament to a 10-team format. Here is a look at the other 11 squads vying to topple pre-season favorite Harvard:

Last Year: 6-15-1

10th Place

Coach Rob Riley

Okay, so the Cadets won't be doing much toppling this year.

The biggest problem for Coach Rob Riley is finding a replacement for star junior forward Rob Tobin, who has withdrawn from West Point. Top candidate is Co-Captain Rich Sheridan, who collected 41 points last year.

But Sheridan cannot carry the offensive load all by himself. And if the Cadets want to march into the playoffs, they'll need some more firepower.

Last Year: 1-21

12th place

Coach Bob Gaudet

So the Bruins (or Bears) aren't of the toppling type either. However, second-year Coach Bob Gaudet's squad should improve from last season, when it lost 25 straight games. The only way is up, right?

Gaudet once again has recruited just about every hockey player in the East. The Bruins will be young and eager, but that alone will not propel them to the middle of the ECAC pack.

If Brown wants to make some noise this season, it will have to stop the puck from going into its net. Last year, the Bruins allowed an average of 3.68 goals per game. Ouch.