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Earlier this summer, eyebrows around the college hockey world were raised when the University of Massachusetts' top recruit, Brandon Montour showed up on the protected list of the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL. Yesterday, the reason for that was confirmed by Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette:
UMass hockey D Brandon Montour won't enroll until Dec. 16. No further information being given
— Matt Vautour (@GazetteUMass) August 30, 2014
Losing Montour for the first semester of the school year is a huge blow for the Minuteman, as he was expected to be the team's top recruit, and among the best recruits in the entire nation this year. Montour won both the USHL Defenseman of the Year and Player of the Year awards last season while scoring 62 points in 60 games for the Blackhawks. He was drafted in the second round of this summer's NHL Draft by Anaheim, and reportedly was extremely impressive at Anaheim's prospect camp in July.
Montour will play in Waterloo until he is able to enroll. UMass will play 13 games prior to December 16th, with a 14th game the evening of the 16th against Northeastern before taking a two-week break for the holidays.