In a poll of 19 media members covering Atlantic Hockey, RIT earned 12 first-place votes to finish atop the media poll on the eve of the 2016-17 season.
Air Force (four), Holy Cross (two) and Mercyhurst (one) also garnered first-place votes.
| School (First-place votes) | Total points |
|---|---|
| 1. RIT (12) | 198 |
| 2. Air Force (4) | 188 |
| 3. Holy Cross (2) | 149 |
| 4. Mercyhurst (1) | 142 |
| 5. Robert Morris | 137 |
| 6. Army West Point | 132 |
| 7. Bentley | 86 |
| 8. Sacred Heart | 79 |
| 9. Canisius | 75 |
| 10. Niagara | 40 |
| 11. American International | 28 |
In addition, two preseason All-Star Teams were announced.
AHC Preseason First All-Star Team
| Player's Name | Position | Class | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max French | F | Sr. | Bentley |
| Justin Danforth | F | Sr. | Sacred Heart |
| Derek Barach | F | So. | Mercyhurst |
| Chase Norrish | D | Jr. | RIT |
| Lester Lancaster | D | So. | Mercyhurst |
| Shane Starrett | G | So. | Air Force |
AHC Preseason Second All-Star Team
| Player's Name | Position | Class | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conor Andrle | F | Jr. | Army West Point |
| Myles Powell | F | Jr. | RIT |
| Kyle Schmidt | F | Jr. | Bentley |
| Brady Norrish | D | Jr. | RIT |
| Johnny Hrabovsky | D | Sr. | Air Force |
| Parker Gahagen | G | Sr. | Army West Point |