A new era of RPI hockey officially begins Friday night. Head coach Dave Smith has been with the program for a number of months now and the Engineers have played an exhibition game, a 2-1 loss to St. Mary's (Nova Scotia), but this weekend brings with it the true debut of Smith and a new time in RPI hockey.

The Engineers will open the 2017-18 season at Ohio State, a team receiving more votes than any other currently on the outside looking in at the top 20. This season could come as a surprise to people expecting a total rebuild in Troy. This is more about a change in culture than a reset to recruiting talent to the Houston Field House.

RPI head coach Dave Smith joined Big Board Sports to preview the season and the weekend at Ohio State.

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