The William Smith hockey team was picked to finish fourth in the SUNYAC preseason poll as announced by the conference office this morning. The Herons are in their first year in the SUNYAC after spending the last four in the NEHC.
 
Defending league champion Plattsburgh was picked to repeat, collecting 49 points. Cortland was chosen to finish second, receiving 40 points. Oswego, which won the regular season, was picked third with 37 points. The Herons had 30 points. Canton (29), Morrisville (15), Buffalo State (12) and Potsdam (12) rounded out the field.
 
William Smith finished last season with an 11-14-2 overall record. The Herons went 10-7-1 in the NEHC, finishing fifth. The Herons advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament, falling to Norwich 3-2 in three overtimes. William Smith opened the season with a pair of one-goal losses to the Lakers last season. The Herons return 16 skaters from last season, including two of their top five point producers.
 
Now in their 11th varsity season, the Herons have played the other seven schools in the league at least once, posting a 20-32-4 record.
 
William Smith will kick off its 2025-26 season Nov. 7-8 with a home-and-home series against first-year program St. John Fisher. The Herons play their first SUNYAC game on Nov. 14 at Plattsburgh.