UMass Hockey Undergoes Roster Turnover

Up to 10 underclassmen won’t be back for the 2017-18 hockey season at the University of Massachusetts, including defenseman William Lagesson who elected to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility to sign with the Edmonton Oilers.

The other underclassmen won’t be back due to usual factors surrounding a coaching change. With Greg Carvel and his staff entering their second season in Amherst, up to 9 players will not be back because of being asked to leave the team or a concern over lack of playing time.

Forwards Dominic Trento, Patrick Lee, Joseph Widmar, Anthony Petrella, Michael Iovanna, Riley McDougall, and Luke McElhenie and goaltender Nic Renyard will all be playing hockey elsewhere, or not at all, next winter. A sophomore defenseman is also rumored to be leaving due to a concern of playing time, but his status isn’t fully determined yet.

Update: McDougall apparently left the team at the semester break to pursue a care outside of hockey.

Another defenseman, Carmine Buono, left the program at the semester break to return to the BCHL where he finished out the season with the Powell River Kings.

Petrella plans to transfer to Division III Endicott College while McElhenie is moving on to play at Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

UMass is bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the country, including potential top 10 NHL Draft pick Cale Makar, a defenseman out of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). Fargo Force goaltender Matt Murray and Des Moines Buccaneers defenseman Mario Ferraro also highlight the incoming class.

It should be noted that former assistants Joey Gasparini and Ryan Miller deserve credit for committing Makar and several other high profile recruits.