Defending Atlantic Hockey Association regular-season champion Rochester Institute of Technology and Air Force, the AHA 2011 postseason tournament winner, top the league’s preseason coaches poll released Tuesday.

RIT topped the poll with 113 points, with Air Force placing second with 112 points. Both the Tigers and Falcons earned five first-place votes. Holy Cross, which received the remaining two first-place mentions, finished third with 103 points.

The complete Atlantic Hockey Association preseason coaches poll (total points and first-place votes in parentheses):

1. RIT (113 points, five first-place votes)
2. Air Force (112, 5)
3. Holy Cross (103, 2)
4. Niagara (89)
5. Connecticut (79)
6. Robert Morris (70)
7. Mercyhurst (59)
8. Army (51)
9. Canisius (42)
10. Bentley (41)
11. Sacred Heart (20)
12. American International (13)