The reigning national champion Hobart hockey team was picked to finish first in the SUNYAC preseason poll. The Statesmen move to the SUNYAC after winning the last three NEHC Conference titles.
 
Hobart, which has won the last three national championships, received 80 points. Oswego, the defending league champions, was picked to finish second with 71 points. Plattsburgh was selected third with 69 points. Cortland, which won the regular season title, was fourth with 55 points. Skidmore (53), Buffalo State (41), Canton (32), Fredonia (25), Potsdam (16) and Morrisville (8) rounded out the poll.
 
Skidmore is also new to the SUNYAC after playing with Hobart in the NEHC last year.
 
Last season, Hobart went 29-1-1 overall with an 18-1-1 mark in league play. The Statesmen won their final six games, including a 5-2 victory over Norwich in the NEHC championship game. It was Hobart's fourth NEHC championship in seven seasons in the league. The Statesmen went 4-0-0 against the SUNYAC in 2024-25. They opened the season beating Oswego 5-2 and Potsdam 6-0 and in January defeated Buffalo State 3-0 and Fredonia 5-0. Hobart defeated Utica 2-1 in overtime in Utica, New York, to claim its third straight national title.
 
The Statesmen begin their season Oct. 31 with a home-and-home series against Route 14 rival Elmira. The opener will be played at the Soaring Eagles' Murray Athletic Center. Hobart's home opener will be the next day, Nov. 1. The Statesmen will begin SUNYAC play Nov. 14 at The Cooler against Skidmore.