EDMONTON, Alberta – UMass Lowell senior forward Joe Gambardela (Staten Island, N.Y.) has signed a two-year entry-level contract, effective for the 2017-18 season, with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.  The announcement was made, today, in a press release issued by the Oilers.
 
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank my amazing family,  amazing girlfriend, friends, teammates, coaching staff, trainers, fans and everyone who has supported me throughout my whole entire career," said Gambardella.  "I am very proud and honored to be part of such an amazing organization; the Edmonton Oilers.  I want to thank UMass Lowell for turning me into the hockey player that I am today and especially the person that I am today.  The last four years have been the best four years of my life creating the most memorable moments and the amazing friendships that I know will last a lifetime.  I sincerely thank the university for giving me such a great education and a great life experience."

Gambardella turned in a career year with 18 goals, 34 assists and 52 points as the River Hawks marched to a share of the Hockey East regular season title and grabbed the crown as the Hockey East Tournament Champions.  He led the club in scoring, was fourth among Hockey East scorers and tied for ninth in the country.  Gambardella led the nation with seven game-winning goals.
 
"We're very excited Joe has chosen to pursue his professional hockey career with the Edmonton Oilers," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Norm Bazin.  "They are a class organization and we feel Joe will provide them with his trademark work ethic and tenacity as he finds his way in the pro game. He is a unique talent and person and we wish him well."
 
Gambardella won the Walter Brown Award this season, given annually to the top American born college player in New England. He is the first player from UMass-Lowell to win this award.  Gambardella was honored by Hockey East as a Second Team All-Star, a member of the Hockey East All-Tournament Team and as the winner of the Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive season.
 
During his four years at UMass Lowell, Gambardella earned a reputation as one of the hardest working players in college hockey.  With 129-points (47-goals, 82-assists) in 150 games, Gambardella was the ninth most prolific scorer in the country during the four year period; he was seventh in assists.  He also ranks ninth among UMass Lowell Division I players in career scoring. 
 
The River Hawk teams Gambardella played for won 99 games, the second most successful four year period in the program's Division I history.  UMass Lowell won the Hockey East Championship in both 2014 and 2017.