UMass Minutemen ice hockey

The UMass Minutemen Ice Hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's college ice hockey program that represents the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Minutemen are a member of Hockey East. They play at the 8,387-seat William D. Mullins Memorial Center (known as the Mullins Center) in Amherst, Massachusetts.[2]

UMass Minutemen ice hockey
Current season
UMass Minutemen athletic logo
UniversityUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
ConferenceHockey East
First season1908–09; 116 years ago
Head coachGreg Carvel
8th season, 149–119–20 (.552)
Assistant coaches
  • Tom Upton
  • Nolan Gluchowski
Captain(s)Linden Alger
Alternate captain(s)Ryan Lautenbach
Lucas Mercuri
ArenaMullins Center
Amherst, Massachusetts
Student sectionThe Militia
ColorsMaroon and white[1]
   
NCAA Tournament championships
2021
NCAA Tournament Runner-up
2019
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
2019, 2021
NCAA Tournament appearances
2007, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024
Conference Tournament championships
ECAC 2: 1972
Hockey East: 2021, 2022
Conference regular season championships
Hockey East: 2019

History

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Pond history

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The centrally located pond on the UMass campus was once used for multiple purposes. In the winter students and faculty would cut out blocks of ice to use for refrigeration and annual tug-of-war games between sophomores and freshmen were hosted during the spring months. In 1909 the first formal ice hockey team began playing on the pond as well.[3] UMass fielded one of the earliest non-ivy league programs, playing continually until poor weather conditions and a lack of funding caused the team to cease in 1939. The Minutemen were able to return to the ice after the war but couldn't play at home until 1954.

The lack of a home venue caused the team to suffer through a stretch where they won only 2 games over a 7-year period. Eventually the pond became usable again and UMass were able to play home games with new head coach Steve Kosakowski. The Minutemen performed decently in his 13 seasons and were among 28 teams to found ECAC Hockey. In 1964 the ECAC split into two divisions and any program that did not possess a dedicated indoor arena was placed in ECAC 2. UMass continued with the second-tier conference for 15 years and achieved their greatest success in 1972 under Jack Canniff, winning the conference tournament title.

By the end of the 1970s using the pond as a rink had become untenable and when no alternatives surfaced the program was shuttered.

Return to the Ice

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When the Mullins Center opened in 1993 it was designed as a multi-purpose arena and allowed for the university to rekindle its ice hockey program. The men's team started the same year and hit the ice as a Division I independent. With 20 wins in the first season under Joe Mallen, there was hope that the Minutemen could compete in Hockey East. However, once they began a tougher schedule in 1994–95, the team lost a then-school-record 28 games. Though the team rarely finished last in the conference under Mallen, there were very few gains and he was replaced by Don Cahoon in 2000.

Under Cahoon the team began to improve, posting a winning season in 2003 and reaching the conference championship game the following year. His greatest success came after recruiting Jonathan Quick, who helped UMass to reach their first ever NCAA tournament in 2007. Cahoon couldn't keep the success going, however, and after being knocked off in five consecutive conference quarterfinals he retired in 2012.

John Micheletto was tabbed as Cahoon's successor and after a decent first season the team slid down the standing and bottomed out for two consecutive seasons. After the second last-place finish Micheletto was fired and replaced by St. Lawrence head coach Greg Carvel.[4]

Greg Carvel era (2016–present)

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In Carvel's first season the team reached a nadir; the Minutemen set a new program record for futility, losing 29 games. Carvel led the team to a much-improved finish in his second season and then team took off in year three. The Minutemen reached their first ever Frozen Four and a berth in the 2019 NCAA Division I National Championship in which the Minutemen ultimately lost to Minnesota-Duluth 3–0. Though the year ended on a sour note, the team posted a new program record for wins (31) while Cale Makar won the school's first Hobey Baker Award.

On April 10, 2021, the Minutemen won their first-ever NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, beating the St. Cloud State Huskies 5–0.[5]

Season-by-season results

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Source:[6]

Records vs. current Hockey East teams

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As of the completion of 2022–23 season[7]

School Team Away Arena Overall record Win % Last Result
Boston College Eagles Conte Forum 17–74–4 .200 -
Boston University Terriers Agganis Arena 14–70–8 .196 -
University of Connecticut Huskies Toscano Family Ice Forum 43–18–4 .692 -
University of Maine Black Bears Alfond Arena 28–58–10 .344 -
University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks Tsongas Center 36–50–9 .426 -
Merrimack College Warriors J. Thom Lawler Rink 51–45–8 .529 -
University of New Hampshire Wildcats Whittemore Center 29–93–12 .261 -
Northeastern University Huskies Matthews Arena 37–57–10 .404 -
Providence College Providence Schneider Arena 35–52–8 .411 -
University of Vermont Catamounts Gutterson Fieldhouse 32–44–10 .430 -

Coaches and support staff

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Current as of July, 2024.[8]

2024-2025 Staff
Name Position
Greg Carvel Head coach
Tom Upton Assistant coach
Nolan Gluchowski Assistant coach
Steve Mastalerz Director of Player Development
Hunter Diehl Director of Hockey Operations
Marc Paquet Athletic Trainer
Mike Vaughan Sports Performance Coach
Josh Penn Head of Equipment

Head Coach History

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As of the completion of 2023–24 season[7]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1908–1917 No Coach 9 39–27–3 .587
1917–1922 Elton J. Mansell 5 18–13–3 .574
1922–1923 Herbert Collins 1 3–4–2 .444
1923–1924 Howard R. Gordon 1 3–6–0 .333
1924–1939 Lorin Ball 15 47–61–7 .439
1947–1949 Thomas Filmore 2 0–5–0 .000
1949–1950 Walter Fitzgerald 1 2–3–2 .429
1950–1951 Bill Needham 1 0–7–0 .000
1953–1954 Mel Massucco 1 0–9–1 .050
1954–1967 Steve Kosakowski 13 73–118–4 .385
1967–1979 Jack Canniff 12 120–140–8 .463
1993–2000 Joe Mallen 7 77–144–18 .360
2000–2012 Don Cahoon 12 166–229–42 .428
2012–2016 John Micheletto 4 39–88–13 .325
2016–Present Greg Carvel 8 149–119–20 .552
Totals 14 coaches 92 seasons 736–973–123 .435

Statistical leaders

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Source:[7]

Career points leaders

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Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Pat Keenan 1970–1973 66 105 75 180
Rob Bonneau 1993–1997 131 72 94 166
Warren Norris 1993–1997 132 73 81 154
Bobby Trivigno 2018–2022 139 53 78 131 91
James Marcou 2007–2010 111 34 96 130
Stephen Werner 2002–2006 143 50 66 116
Michael Pereira 2010–2014 135 53 54 107
Tim Turner 1999–2003 134 47 60 107
John Leonard 2017–2020 104 56 49 105
Conor Sheary 2010–2014 138 38 66 104

† - active

Career goaltending leaders

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GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 30 games played

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Filip Lindberg 2018–2021 50 2802 29 10 6 74 11 .937 1.58
Matt Murray 2017–2022 121 6983 73 39 4 260 14 .916 2.23
Jonathan Quick 2005–2007 54 3129 23 22 6 125 3 .926 2.40
Paul Dainton 2007–2011 123 7042 45 61 12 327 2 .908 2.78
Gabe Winer 2002–2006 117 6725 50 52 10 317 5 .891 2.83

Statistics current through the start of the 2022–23 season.

Current roster

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As of September 17, 2024.[9]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1   Jackson Irving Sophomore G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2004-02-03 Newbury, Massachusetts Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
3   Kaz Sobieski Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2004-04-12 Deerfield, Massachusetts Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
4   Kennedy O'Connor Junior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2001-05-10 Springfield, Massachusetts Omaha Lancers (USHL)
5   Linden Alger (C) Graduate D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2000-04-09 Centerville, Massachusetts Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
6   Lucas Ölvestad Junior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-03-19 Stockholm, Sweden Denver (NCHC)
7   Finn Loftus Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2004-02-12 Blaine, Minnesota Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
8   Cam O'Neill Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2004-01-24 Odenton, Maryland Tri-City Storm (USHL) OTT, 143rd overall 2022
9   Jack Musa Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 157 lb (71 kg) 2003-07-22 Orange Park, Florida Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
10   Dans Ločmelis Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2004-01-21 Jelgava, Latvia Luleå J20 (J20 Nationell) BOS, 119th overall 2022
11   Lucas Mercuri (A) Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2002-03-07 Montreal, Quebec Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) CAR, 159th overall 2020
12   Cam Dunn Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2003-10-08 Holland, Michigan Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL)
13   Joey Musa Graduate F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2000-06-11 Orange Park, Florida Dartmouth (ECAC)
14   Ryan Lautenbach (A) Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-02-27 Brighton, Michigan Omaha Lancers (USHL)
16   Aydar Suniev Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2004-11-16 Kazan, Russia Penticton Vees (BCHL) CGY, 80th overall 2023
17   Kenny Connors Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-03-10 Glen Mills, Pennsylvania Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) LAK, 103rd overall 2022
18   Larry Keenan Freshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2005-03-15 Midhurst, Ontario Penticton Vees (BCHL) DET, 117th overall 2024
19   Cole O'Hara Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2002-06-20 Richmond Hill, Ontario Tri-City Storm (USHL) NSH, 114th overall 2022
20   James Duerr Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2004-09-01 Chicago, Illinois Green Bay Gamblers
21   Charlie Lieberman Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2003-05-22 Naperville, Illinois Omaha Lancers (USHL)
22   Nick Van Tassell Sophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 2004-04-18 Basking Ridge, New Jersey Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) OTT, 215th overall 2023
23   Francesco Dell'Elce Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2005-01-09 King City, Ontario Penticton Vees (BCHL)
25   Daniel Jenčko Freshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2005-01-09 Humenné, Slovakia Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
26   Owen Murray Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2002-12-01 Decker, Manitoba Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
27   Michael Cameron Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2002-07-24 Berwyn, Pennsylvania Omaha Lancers (USHL)
28   Bo Cosman Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2002-01-18 Milton, Georgia Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
30   Michael Hrabal Sophomore G 6' 6" (1.98 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 2005-01-20 Prague, Czech Republic Omaha Lancers (USHL) UTA, 38th overall 2023
32   James Norton Freshman G 6' 4" (1.93 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2003-04-16 Scarborough, Ontario Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)

The Longest Game

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On March 6, 2015, UMass faced Notre Dame in Game 1 of the Opening Round of the 2015 Hockey East Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, played at Compton Family Ice Arena at Notre Dame. Early into the game, Sam Herr gave Notre Dame the lead on a rebounded shot. Vince Hinostroza made it 2–0 midway through the second period. But the Minutmen responded two minutes later with a power play goal by Steven Iacobellis. Notre Dame responded three minutes later with a Steven Fogarty goal to make it 3–1. UMass made it 3–2 a minute later with a goal by Shane Walsh. With two seconds remaining in the period, Troy Power tipped a power play goal to tie the game as the second period (a period that had five goals in total) ended. The third period ended with no goals, as the two teams went into overtime. The two teams repeatedly failed to score, with UMass shooting a record 91 times and Notre Dame shooting 78 times. With 8:18 left in the fifth overtime and at 1:24 a.m. ET, Shane Walsh scored the game-winning goal to end the longest Division I hockey game which had lasted 151 minutes, 42 seconds, besting the previous record of 150:22, set by Quinnipiac and Union in 2010.[10]

Steve Mastalerz finished the night with 75 saves for UMass while Cal Petersen of Notre Dame made 87 saves, setting a new NCAA record. It was UMass' first win at the Tournament since March 13, 2009 at Northeastern.

Awards and honors

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NCAA

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Individual awards

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All-Americans

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AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey All-Tournament Team

Hockey East

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Individual awards

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William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable Player

All-Hockey East

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First Team


Second Team

Third Team

Rookie Team

All-Tournament Team

Olympians

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This is a list of Massachusetts alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

Name Position Massachusetts Tenure Team Year Finish
John Lyons Center 1918, 1921-1922   USA 1924   Silver
Justin McCarthy Right Wing 1918–1921   USA 1924   Silver
Thomas Pöck Defenseman 2001-2004   Austria 2002, 2014 12th, 10th
Jonathan Quick Goaltender 2005–2007   USA 2010, 2014   Silver, 4th

Minutemen in the NHL

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As of July 1, 2024

= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star[11] = NHL All-Star[11] and NHL All-Star team = Hall of Famers

Source:[12]

References

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  1. ^ "University of Massachusetts Amherst Athletics Official Style Guide" (PDF). Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Massachusetts Minutemen". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "Umass Hockey The Pond Club". umasshockey.com.
  4. ^ "College hockey: Greg Carvel named UMass ice hockey coach". 29 March 2016.
  5. ^ Haecherl, Zach Dwyer and Anna. "St. Cloud State falls 5-0 to UMass in NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship". St. Cloud Times.
  6. ^ "2008-09 UMASS HOCKEY" (PDF). UMass Minutemen. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c "UMass Minutemen Men's Hockey 2023-24 Record Book" (PDF). UMass Minutemen. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  8. ^ "UMass Athletics". umassathletics.com. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  9. ^ "2024–25 Roster". UMass Minutemen. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  10. ^ "UMass Hockey Claims NCAA Record 5OT 4–3 Victory Over Notre Dame – University of Massachusetts". University of Massachusetts Athletics.
  11. ^ a b Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  12. ^ "Alumni report for UMass-Amherst". Hockey DB. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
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