UMass' Carzo, Rowe sign ECHL contracts

The UMass Minutemen just missed qualifying for the 2013 Hockey East Tournament, but a pair of seniors made quick work of signing their professional contracts in the East Coast Hockey League over the last couple days.

Forward Rocco Carzo joined the Florida Everblades, affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, after a strong season during which he scored 19 points, including half of his 18 career goals. The Media, Pennsylvania native totaled 18 goals and 30 assists over his four-year career.

Carzo's transaction occurred on the same day as Maine junior blue liner Mike Cornell, a Franklin, Mass. native, agreed to terms with Florida.

Additionally, Minuteman defenseman Darren Rowe signed on with the Utah Grizzlies of the Calgary Flames organization on Wednesday, joining a roster that features former Northeastern Huskies Alex Tuckerman and Chris Donovan, as well as Vermont alumnus Josh Burrows and Ben Meisner, the most decorated goaltender in American International College history.

The native of Simi Valley, California finished his collegiate career with 13 goals and 33 points, including a career high six and ten in his senior seasons. Three of his six strikes this season came on the power play as well.

Joshua Kummins covers Hockey East for SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKummins.