Massachusetts Hockey Kicks Off 2022-23 With Exhibition In opposition to Sacred Coronary heart

September 30, 2022

AMHERST, Mass. – Saturday’s exhibition vs. Sacred Coronary heart will formally kick off the seventh season of the Greg Carvel period at UMass. The Minutemen underwent a number of workers modifications within the offseason as Tom Upton signed on as an assistant coach, coming to Amherst from the USHL, Nolan Gluchowski was elevated into an assistant coach function and former UMass ahead Jacob Pritchard has returned as a volunteer assistant coach.
 
Seventeen gamers from UMass’ 2022 Hockey East Championship squad are again for 2022-23—10 forwards, 5 defenseman and two goaltenders. The Minutemen return 50 of their 117 targets from final season, 42.7%, and 47.2% of their factors (150 of 318) and the squad will likely be led by three senior forwards with Eric Religion carrying the “C” and Jerry Harding and Reed Lebster donning the “A”s.
 
The Massachusetts roster options 10 NHL draft picks, probably the most in program historical past, which is tied for eighth nationally and tied for third in Hockey East. Six of the ten draftees are newcomers to the squad for 2022-23, together with a pair of transfers in senior ahead Josh Nodler (Calgary, 2019 fifth spherical) and junior goaltender Cole Brady (New Jersey, 2019 fifth spherical) together with freshmen forwards Tyson Dyck (Ottawa, 2022 seventh spherical), Kenny Connors (Los Angeles, 2022 fourth spherical) and Cole O’Hara (Nashville, 2022 fourth spherical), and freshman defenseman Noah Ellis (Vegas, 2020 sixth spherical).
 
Within the web, UMass might want to fill the opening of the departure of five-year fixture and all-time wins and shutouts chief Matt Murray who appeared in 36 of 37 video games final season. Sophomore Luke Pavicich appeared in 4 video games as a rookie in 2021-22 and compiled a 1.62 targets in opposition to common and a .933 save share over 111 minutes of motion.
 
The Minutemen return three people on the blueline who noticed vital time within the lineup final season, led by returning First Staff All-American and First Staff Hockey East All-Star Scott Morrow. Morrow, the primary rookie in program historical past to earn All-America recognition, is considered one of simply 4 First Staff All-People returning to varsity hockey in 2022-23. He’ll look to construct on a powerful freshman marketing campaign which noticed him end second for UMass in scoring with 33 factors on 13 targets and 20 assists, showing in all 37 video games. His classmate Ryan Ufko was a Hockey East Honorable Point out All-Star and a Hockey East All-Rookie Staff honoree final season and completed second on the squad in assists with 26 over 37 video games to associate with 5 targets for 26 factors, good for third on the Minutemen roster. Junior Aaron Bohlinger missed time on account of harm final season however nonetheless managed to place up 13 factors (2g, 11a) over 30 video games, together with the additional time sport winner over UConn within the Hockey East title sport.
 
Main UMass’ forwards group, Lebster and classmate Cal Kiefiuk contributed 18 factors apiece as juniors because the squads’ prime returning level producing forwards. Lebster had 9 targets and 9 assists a yr in the past, whereas Kiefiuk tallied six targets and 12 assists. Two extra Minutemen reached double digit level totals final season as rookies—Lucas Mercuri (6g, 9a) and Ryan Lautenbach (3g, 7a).
 
Coming off Saturday’s free non-ticketed exhibition vs. Sacred Coronary heart, Massachusetts will formally open its 2022-23 slate in opposition to Western Mass. foe AIC in Springfield on Saturday, Oct. 8, earlier than kicking off a five-game homestand, which begins with a pair in opposition to defending nationwide champion No. 1 Denver. Click on right here for the 2022-2023 Massachusetts hockey ticket choices.

See also  Boosting Efforts to Regulate Visual Disability Bolster Development