UMass Lowell hockey head coach Norm Bazin has announced his recruiting class, of five, for the 2013-14 season.
"We try to improve every year and we feel these guys hopefully will help us towards that path." says Bazin. "All five have proven their worth in junior hockey now they will be faced with a new challenge of becoming great college players."
Bazin and his coaching staff are bringing two defenseman and three forwards to a team that lost three seniors and one underclassman following a season in which the hockey club won 28 games and went to the Frozen Four.
"I'm excited about all of the freshmen, but it is going to be a challenging schedule, the most difficult in the history of our program," says Bazin.
The group of five and one transfer, who spent last season working out with the team as a red shirt, helps to balance the classes. "You can't have sustained success without it," says Bazin.
Looking for ice time on the blue line are two Wisconsin natives: Michael Kapla (Eau Claire, Wisc.) and Dylan Zink (Madison, Wisc.)
Kapla stands 5' 11" and tips the scales at 194.
"He's got good offensive abilities, a strong skill set and a very good hockey mind," says Bazin. "He is a true freshman and we will need to give him time to grow into the role."
Kapla showed some of those offensive skills during the 2012-13 playing for the Sioux City Musketeers in the United State Hockey League (USHL). He had nine goals and 16 assists in 51 games.
Zink also had good offensive numbers playing with the Jamestown Ironmen of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) during the 2012-13 season. The 6-foot 175-pounder had 15 goals and 32 points in 52 games.
"He has a good head on his shoulders, but needs to get stronger," says Bazin. "We'll help him out with that."
The three freshman forwards, Evan Campbell (Port Coquitlam, B. C.), Joseph Gambardella (Staten Island, N. Y.) and Chris Maniccia (St. Catherines, Ont.) bring a variety of skills.
The 6-1, 175-pound Campbell was drafted by the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round (128th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. Playing for the Langley Rivermen of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2012-13, Campbell scored 20 goals and 66 points in 51 games.
"He's a hard working, two-way forward," says Bazin. "He's an honest hockey player. He will bring some size and a strong compete level to the lineup."
Gambardella stands 5-9/175, and put up good offensive numbers playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. He had 15 goals and 36 points in 48 games.
"You won't find a harder worker, he's a real warrior," says Bazin. "He was not always pretty, but he finds a way to get it done."
Maniccia put up what Bazin refers to as "silly numbers" in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). He scored 53 goals and 126 points in two years with the Smiths Falls Bears, including 34 goals and 44 assists in 54 games in 2012-13.
"He has the hands and a nose for the net," says Bazin.
In addition, redshirt forward Nick Gordon (Export, Pa.) will make his debut in a River Hawk uniform. Gordon practiced with a team a year ago.
""He's a good honest, hard working player on both sides of the puck," says Bazin. "He has worked extremely hard."
Following a home exhibition Saturday, Oct. 5 against McGill University, UMass Lowell opens the season Friday, Oct. 11 against Sacred Heart University and Saturday, Oct. 12 in a non-conference clash against Massachusetts, both at the Tsongas Center.
Tickets can be had by calling 978-934-4988 or by logging on to www.goriverhawks.com, the official website of UMass Lowell athletics.
