Both St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University will have new lead coaches on their respective benches when the two ECAC schools open their Division I men’s ice hockey seasons this weekend.

SLU Assistant Coaches Mike Hurlbut and Greg Carvel will lead the Saints for ailing Head Coach Joe Marsh, while Casey Jones takes over the Golden Knights’ program in place of George Roll.

The Saints, 13-22-5 last season, open at home to host Ferris State Friday and Saturday, while Clarkson, which went 15-19-2 last season, begins play in Anchorage, Alaska in the Kendall Classic.

Later in the season, Clarkson and St. Lawrence are set to face off on the Olympic ice in Lake Placid, when they face off in the Festivus Faceoff, Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Olympic Center. Union and RPI will open the two-game evening 4 p.m., followed by Clarkson and St. Lawrence at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the Olympic Center box office at 518-523-3330, or on-line at http://www.whiteface.com/events/festivus.php. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for juniors, seniors and students.

ECAC coaches recently picked league tournament defending champion Yale Bulldogs to finish on top of the ECAC this year. The Union Dutchemen, reigning ECAC regular season champs, finished second in the coaches’ poll.

St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University where chosen ninth and 11th, respectively.