First poll has UNH, BC at even strength

Little has changed in the Hockey East men's hierarchy since the end of last season. Reigning regular-season champion New Hampshire and second-place finisher Boston College received the same number of points (84) and first-place votes (five) in the Hockey East Coaches' Poll released yesterday to share the top preseason ranking. Boston University (77 points) was third, followed by Maine (61), Massachusetts and Vermont (54), Northeastern (43), Providence (39), UMass-Lowell (25), and Merrimack (19) . . . Buffalo Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen is expected to be released from a Cleveland hospital within days following open heart surgery last week. Numminen said he could return to the Sabres by December . . . Former BC goalie Cory Schneider was reassigned by the Vancouver Canucks to Manitoba of the AHL. Another ex-Eagle was sent to the AHL, center Jeff Giuliano going from the Los Angeles Kings to Manchester, N.H.

Neal Huntington, a former Cleveland Indians assistant general manager who was moved to a mostly scouting role two years ago, was hired as the Pittsburgh Pirates' general manager. The 37-year-old Huntington replaces Dave Littlefield, who was fired earlier this month after failing to produce a winning season since being hired in July 2001. Huntington, a graduate of Amherst who also has a master's degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts, was considered a surprise pick of new Pirates president Frank Coonelly. "Neal is extremely intelligent, analytical, and driven to succeed," Coonelly said . . . Reds outfielder Adam Dunn, who is third in the National League with 40 home runs, will undergo arthroscopic surgery today to clean out his right knee . . . Orlando Hernandez threw a pain-free bullpen session at Shea Stadium that left him very encouraged about his injured right foot. Hernandez is scheduled to pitch a simulated game tomorrow, but it's unclear if he will pitch in a regular-season game . . . Orioles reliever Danys Baez will undergo elbow ligament replacement surgery and will probably miss the 2008 season. Baez, who last pitched Sept. 12, was a huge disappointment in his first season with Baltimore after signing a three-year, $19 million contract in November. He finished 0-6 with a 6.44 ERA and three saves . . . Phillies GM Pat Gillick said he plans to retire after his contract runs out after next season . . . China will enter a team in the upcoming Arizona Fall League, and it will be coached by former Red Sox pitcher Bruce Hurst and ex-major leaguer Jim Lefebvre.

New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas climbed onto the witness stand in US District Court in Manhattan, charming a federal jury and recalling his storied basketball career as he defended himself against sex discrimination charges brought by a fired team executive. His testimony came soon after Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan told jurors he fired Anucha Browne Sanders, a former MSG vice president, upon learning she tried to get her subordinates to help build her case against Thomas. Dolan said he was also told before the January 2006 firing that Browne Sanders was demanding $6 million not to lodge a harassment complaint . . . Corliss Williamson, who played for Sacramento last season, his 12th in the NBA, said he is retiring to become an assistant coach at Arkansas Baptist College . . . Brian Chase signed with the Miami Heat, giving the team four point guards heading into training camp . . . Former Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Mike Sanders was hired to replace Dell Curry, who stepped down as an assistant with the Charlotte Bobcats. Curry will remain with the team to work in community relations.

Ohio State's third-team quarterback, redshirt freshman Antonio Henton, was arrested Monday night on a charge of soliciting a prostitute in Columbus, Ohio. Henton, who entered a not guilty plea, will not travel with the team to Minnesota for Saturday's game . . . Iowa wide receiver Andy Brodell is likely to miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring during Saturday's loss to Wisconsin. Brodell also was the Hawkeyes' primary punt returner . . . Texas Christian star defensive end Tommy Blake will miss at least two games on medical leave, the second time this season he's been sidelined for undisclosed reasons . . . Oklahoma senior defensive end John Williams had surgery to repair a torn Achilles' and will miss the rest of the season . . . Florida State coach Bobby Bowden reinstated linebacker Geno Hayes following his suspension for being arrested for an altercation with police last week, but also demoted Hayes to the second-team unit and ordered him to get behavioral counseling.

Amherst senior Shauneen Garrahan, who competes in cross-country and indoor and outdoor track for the Lord Jeffs, was among nine finalists selected for the NCAA's annual Woman of the Year award. The winner will be announced Oct. 27 . . . NASCAR driver Tony Raines was fined $15,000 and docked 25 Busch Series points for throwing his helmet at Robby Gordon. Raines was angry after Gordon knocked him out of last Saturday's race at Dover (Del.) International Raceway, and he waited on the track for Gordon to pass by under caution. He then hurled his helmet at Gordon . . . Top-seeded Venus Williams cruised into the second round of the Korea Open in Seoul, defeating Abigail Spears, 6-2, 6-3. No. 5 Eleni Daniilidou began her title defense by beating Caroline Wozniacki, 6-4, 6-4 . . . Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli beat defending champion Alona Bondarenko, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round of the Fortis Championships in Luxembourg. The fifth-seeded Bartoli will face Sybille Bammer, who beat Tamira Paszek, 6-0, 6-2. American Meilen Tu advanced but countrywoman Meghan Shaughnessy lost . . . Third-ranked Novak Djokovic (back) withdrew from the Thailand Open in Nonthaburi, and will be fined $40,000 for the late withdrawal. Andy Roddick, at No. 5, is the highest-ranked player left in the draw. His first match is tonight . . . Portland, Ore., will host the Davis Cup final between the US and defending champion Russia from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.