WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior forward Kellan Hjartarson was voted to the Atlantic Hockey Preseason All-Conference team, and Bentley was picked second in the preseason coaches poll, the league announced on Wednesday.

Hjartarson won Atlantic Hockey's 2026 Best Defensive Forward Award, becoming the second straight Falcon to win the award after Ethan Leyh in 2025.

He played in all 40 games last season and led the team with 24 assists. He was second in points with 34 and his +18 number was second as well. He added 10 goals scored.

Hjartarson will serve as team captain this season.

The two-time defending league champions were picked second in the preseason coaches poll with 58 points and five first-place votes, the most of any team. The voting at the top was extremely close with Sacred Heart receiving 59 points and three first-place votes. RIT came in third with 51 points and one first-place vote.

The Falcons host an exhibition game at Bentley Arena against Carleton University on Saturday, October 3 before the season gets underway on October 9 at home against the University of Vermont.

Atlantic Hockey Preseason Poll
1. Sacred Heart (3 first place votes), 59 points
2. Bentley (5), 58 points
3. RIT (1), 51 points
4. Holy Cross, 42 points
5. Air Force, 34 points
6. Robert Morris, 27 points
7. Army West Point, 25 points
T-8. Canisius, 14 points
T-8. Niagara, 14 points