(in predicted order of finish)

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

■ Coach: David Quinn (59-42-14, sixth year).

■ 2015-16 record: 21-13-5 (12-6-4 Hockey East, fifth).

■ Key player: Charlie McAvoy, sophomore, D, 3-22—25.

■ Outlook: BU’s recruiting class was a doozy, including three 2016 first-round NHL draft picks: Clayton Keller, Kieffer Bellows, and Dante Fabbro. All-around defenseman McAvoy was also taken in the first round — by the Bruins. On the strength of that potential, BU was ranked fourth in the national preseason poll. Yet another freshman, Patrick Harper from Avon Old Farms, ripped off five goals in an exhibition game. Forward Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, also a Bruins prospect, is the leading returning scorer (10-20—30). Senior captain Doyle Somerby blocked 77 shots last season and anchors a strong defense. Seventeen-year-old Jake Oettinger, who comes to BU from the National Team Development Program, will compete for the starting goaltending job.

NOTRE DAME

■ Coach: Jeff Jackson (213-125-36, 12th season).

■ 2015-16 record: 19-11-7 (15-5-2 HE, third).

■ Key player: Cal Petersen, junior, G, .927 save percentage, 1.77 GAA

■ Outlook: This is the last season in Hockey East for the Irish before they move to the Big Ten. Notre Dame, always a contender but not yet a finisher in the conference, is ranked ninth in the national preseason poll. Petersen, who led the nation in percentage of team minutes played (98.6) while posting a 19-11-7 record, a 2.20 goals-against average, and a .927 save percentage (12th in the country), will serve as team captain. Among the 18 returning players are three of the top four scorers from last season, including forward and leading scorer Anders Bjork (12-23—35), forward Jake Evans (8-25—33), and defenseman Jordan Gross (9-22—31).

UMASS-LOWELL

■ Coach: Norm Bazin (124-57-18, sixth year).

■ 2015-16 record: 26-10-5 (13-6-4 HE, fourth).

■ Key player: C.J. Smith, junior, F, 17-22—39.

■ Outlook: Smith, the River Hawks’ scoring leader for the last two seasons, and senior Joe Gambardella (10-27—37) will be called on to drive the offense for Lowell, ranked eighth nationally in the preseason poll. Nine freshmen join 19 returning letter-winners as Lowell, consistently among the elite programs in the conference, aims to win 20 games for a sixth consecutive season and gain a fifth straight appearance in the Hockey East championship. Lowell has featured a string of superlative goalies from Doug Carr to Connor Hellebuyck to Kevin Boyle, but this year it’s an area Bazin called “unproven.’’ Freshmen Garrett Metcalf and Tyler Wall will compete with sophomores Sean Cleary and Christoffer Hernberg for the job.

NORTHEASTERN

■ Coach: Jim Madigan (79-81-22, sixth year).

■ 2015-16 record: 22-15-5 (10-9-4 HE, sixth).

■ Key player: Zach Aston-Reese, senior, F, 14-29—43

■ Outlook: The Huskies will try to keep the momentum from last year’s remarkable turnaround season, which was capped by the Hockey East tournament title and an NCAA Tournament bid. NU, ranked 15th nationally, has an experienced offense, with Aston-Reese on a top line with John Stevens (10-25—35) and Nolan Stevens (21-22—43). Sophomore goalie Ryan Ruck set a program record for goals against average (2.36) after laying claim to the No. 1 job. One notable recruit is Lynnfield’s Matt Filipe, a forward who led Malden Catholic to back-to-back Super 8 titles before spending a year in the USHL.

BOSTON COLLEGE

■ Coach: Jerry York (545-264-76, 24th year).

■ 2015-16 record: 28-8-5 overall (15-2-5 HE, first).

■ Key player: Colin White, sophomore, F, 19-24—43.

■ Outlook: BC won the conference last season, but seven players have left for professional hockey, including goalie Thatcher Demko. There always seem to be new players ready to step in, and the Eagles are ranked fifth nationally. They’ll need to have White (Hockey East Rookie of the Year), Ryan Fitzgerald (seventh nationally in goals with 24, 14th in scoring with 47 points), Austen Cangelosi (20-17—37), and top-scoring defenseman Casey Fitzgerald (4-23—27) move the offense until the new kids (13 newcomers) work their way into the lineup. Joe Wall, from the NTDP, is among the goalie candidates.

PROVIDENCE

■ Coach: Nate Leaman (106-65-23, sixth year).

■ 2015-16 record: 27-7-4 (16-3-3 HE, second).

■ Key player: Jake Walman, junior, D, 13-15—28.

■ Outlook: Coming off a share of the Hockey East regular-season title, the Friars were ranked No. 10 in the preseason national poll. The offensive-minded Walman led all NCAA defensemen in goals (13), points per game (1.04), power-play goals (8), and game-winning goals (4), even while he missed 11 games because of injury. But the team will have to redefine itself after losing its top four scorers and goaltender Nick Ellis.

CONNECTICUT

■ Coach: Mike Cavanaugh (39-54-15, fourth year).

■ 2015-16 record: 11-21-4 (6-12-4 HE, eighth).

■ Key player: Maxim Letunov, sophomore, F, 16-24—40

■ Outlook: In their third season in Hockey East, the Huskies should have a lively offense with returning top scorers Letunov and Tage Thompson (drafted 26th in the first round by the St. Louis Blues) as what Cavanaugh calls “the focal point of our offense.’’ The pair combined for 72 points in 2015-16, and Thompson led the nation with 13 power-play goals. Junior captain Derek Pratt will lead an experienced defense in front of senior goaltender Rob Nichols (2.68 GAA and .918 save percentage in 77 career games). Last year’s USHL Goaltender of the Year Adam Huska (.931 save percentage, 1.82 GAA) will compete for the job.

MERRIMACK

■ Coach: Mark Dennehy (141-206-50, 12th year).

■ 2015-16 record: 13-19-7 (5-10-7 HE, seventh).

■ Key player: Brett Seney, junior, F, 8-18—26.

■ Outlook: At least Seney, who led the team in scoring for the second straight year, was consistent, and his speed and electricity will spark the offense again. The young Warriors rose and dipped like a roller coaster last season, starting 7-1-4, then plunging into a 1-13-1 skid. Dennehy wants his veteran squad to tame the highs and lows and be as good as they were when playing their best. He said they have the depth to play four lines and three pairs of defensemen. In net, Collin Delia (8-12-6) and Drew Vogler (5-7-1) are experienced, if inconsistent.

VERMONT

■ Coach: Kevin Sneddon (204-226-63, 14th year).

■ 2015-16 record: 15-22-3 (6-13-3 HE, ninth).

■ Key player: Mario Piskarich, junior, F, 10-18—28.

■ Outlook: Sneddon is focused on a better start after the Catamounts began last season 1-4-0 and 3-9-2, and on scoring more goals. Piskarich, who has been slowed by injury for two years, is healthy. So is goalie Mike Santaguida (6-11-2 in 20 games, 2.65 GAA, .913 save percentage). Junior Brady Shaw dropped from 20 goals to 4, but Sneddon expects more from him this season. Expect to see the defense more involved in the attack.

MAINE

■ Coach: Red Gendron (38-61-13, fourth year).

■ 2015-16 record: 8-24-6 (5-15-2 HE, 11th).

■ Key player: Blaine Byron, senior, F, 8-16—24

■ Outlook: With experience in goal (junior Rob McGovern, .905 save percentage), and an outstanding freshman class of nine, Gendron expects the Black Bears to be much improved from last year’s 11th-place finish. Captains Cam Brown, Blaine Byron, and Eric Schurhamer lead the 17 returners. There are three NHL picks among the first-years: defenseman Patrick Holway and forwards Patrick Shea and Chase Pearson. Gendron said the additions will give the Black Bears “the kind of depth that we haven’t really possessed in the last couple of years.’’

NEW HAMPSHIRE

■ Coach: Dick Umile (560-313-97, 27th season).

■ 2015-16 record: 11-20-6 (11-20-6 HE, 10th).

■ Key player: Tyler Kelleher, senior, F, 10-36–46

■ Outlook: The Wildcats had what Umile called a bitter ending to the season, getting only three wins after Jan. 1, losing 20 games for the first time since 1989, and then losing to Merrimack in the first round of the Hockey East playoffs. Kelleher, second in scoring last season for UNH and third in the nation in assists, returns to lead the offense, which lost Andrew Poturalski (seventh in the nation in scoring) to the pros (Carolina). Senior defenseman Matias Cleland led the nation in blocked shots with 112, averaging 3.03 per game. Junior goalie Danny Tirone had a .907 save percentage. A third van Riemsdyk brother, Brendan, joins the freshman class.

UMASS

■ Coach: Greg Carvel (first year).

■ 2015-16 record: 8-24-4 (2-16-4 HE, 12th).

■ Key player: Steve Iacobellis, senior, F, 4-17—21

■ Outlook: A year after finishing last in the conference, UMass is back with a brand-new coach who comes to Amherst from St. Lawrence of the ECAC with a strong coaching résumé both in college and the pros. Carvel knows his team will have to work to manufacture goals this season as he sifts through 20 returning players and nine newcomers. He is teaming his best offensive guys on the top line: Ray Pigozzi, the top returning scorer (8-22—30), Austin Plevy (10-14—24), and captain Iacobellis.

BARBARA MATSON