On the ice, it's been a very strong start for the UMass Lowell hockey team. The River Hawks, picked to finish seventh in the Hockey East preseason poll, are in first place in the league, one point ahead of defending national champion UMass Amherst.
Off the ice, the UML coaching staff has landed commitments from 11 promising players. Here's an update on how the incoming recruits are faring. Note: When the players arrive in Lowell may be subject to change.
Players expected to arrive in 2022
Dillon Bentley
6-4, 195-pound forward ... native of Peoria, Ill.
Plays for New Mexico of the NAHL
36 GP: 19-19-38
Notes: New Mexico's leading scorer and captain ... 22nd in NAHL in points ... second in league with 157 shots on net ... been productive of late with 10 points in last eight games, including 2-2-4 effort in one game ... has terrific size
Ben Brunette
6-0, 178-pound defenseman ... native of North Bay, Ontario
Plays for Waterloo of the USHL
14 GP: 1-2-3
Notes: Has a +2 plus/minus rating ... Suffered concussion in the third week of October ... recently returned to Waterloo's lineup ... has three assists in last seven games and two assists in six games since returning to the ice.
Owen Fowler
5-9, 188-pound forward ... native of Tewksbury, Mass.
Plays for Omaha of the USHL
31 GP: 7-17-24
Notes: Strong, tough player ... has 112 penalty minutes, second most in USHL ... second full year in USHL ... after slow start, has 23 points in last 20 games since Nov. 6 ... tied for second on team in points ... local product
Nick Rheaume
6-3, 195-pound forward ... native of Sherbrooke, Quebec
Plays for Prince George of the BCHL
34 GP: 20-18-38
Notes: Father played in the NHL ... aunt was top female goaltender ... six power-play goals ... 17th in the BCHL in points ... has been on fire of late with 10 points and six goals in last six games ... second on team in scoring ... has good size
TJ Schweighardt
5-10, 178-pound defenseman ... native of Long Beach Island, N.Y.
Plays for Youngstown of USHL
27 GP: 2-5-7
Notes: Has 19 penalty minutes ... third year in the USHL ... also played for Cedar Rapids and Omaha ... has played in 115 USHL games ... picked up assist in his last game and has three points over his last seven games
Roc Truman
6-0, 190-pound forward ... native of Lethbridge, Alberta
Plays for Camrose of the AJHL
39 GP: 14-19-33
Notes: Older brother of Scout ... five power-play goals ... tallied nine points in first eight games ... fifth-leading scorer on Camrose ... has 109 points in 132 AJHL games for Drumheller, Bonnyville and Camrose
Scout Truman
5-11, 175-pound forward ... native of Lethbridge, Alberta
Plays for Des Moines of the USHL
34 GP: 15-23-38
Notes: 15th leading scorer in the USHL ... six power-play goals ... seven points in last five games ... points in 26 of 34 games ... high scorer for Des Moines ... C-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting preliminary list
Players expected to arrive in 2023
Daniil Dolzhenko
6-0, 185-pound defenseman ... native of Omsk, Russia
Plays for Minnesota Magicians of the NAHL
11 GP: 3-7-10
Notes: Off to terrific start for Minnesota despite not joining team until Christmas ... fifth-highest scoring defenseman on team ... averaging 0.91 points per game, fourth best on team ... has points in seven of his 11 games ... strong skater
Jaiden Moriello
6-2, 194-pound forward ... native of Saugus, Mass.
Plays for Kimball Union Academy
16 GP: 20-7-27 (not up to date)
Notes: Plays for Tim Whitehead, the former UMass Lowell and Maine coach ... one of the top prep school scorers in New England ... major reason KUA off to a 18-2-1 start ... captain of the team ... 22-17-39 totals in 20 games for GBL Bruins
Shawn O'Donnell
6-0, 171-pound forward ... native of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Plays for Dubuque of USHL
33 GP: 2-10-12
Notes: One of Dubuque's youngest players ... has +3 plus/minus rating ... has compiled three assists in last three games ... picked up two assists vs. Green Bay ... played nine games for Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL last season
Jak Vaarwerk
5-11, 173-pound forward ... native of East Amherst, N.Y.
Plays for Jamestown of the NAHL
34 GP: 8-18-26
Notes: Has high offensive ceiling ... goals in last two games and three in his last five ... second on Jamestown in scoring ... first in points per game ... recently turned to the ice after suffering an injury ... has nose for net
Nick Rheaume is off to a strong start for Prince George of the BCHL. Garrett James photo
Comments