SECAUCUS, N.J. – UMass Lowell freshman defenseman
Ben Meehan (Walpole, Mass.) was selected by the Los Angeles Kings as the 140th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft on Wednesday afternoon.
At 140, Meehan is the 13th highest draft pick in UMass Lowell history and the 10th highest in the Division I era. His selection also marks the sixth year in a row that the River Hawks have had at least one player drafted, and the ninth time in the last 10 years. He becomes the third UMass Lowell player to be drafted by Los Angeles, as well, after Peter Sentner in the 1990 Supplemental Draft and teammate
Andre Lee last year.
"I'm so grateful to be a part of the Kings' organization, it's a dream come true," said Meehan. "I'm also excited for our season to start here at Lowell. We have a great group of guys and I can't wait to get things going."
Meehan comes to UMass Lowell after spending last season as a member of the Cedar Rapids squad in the USHL. The defenseman scored eight goals and added 10 assists for 18 points in 25 games played for the RoughRiders. He also skated in six games with Team USA, helping his country secure the bronze medal at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge. Prior to entering junior hockey, Meehan spent three seasons at the Dexter Southfield School, posting 11 goals, 34 assists and 45 points in 76 games. The fifth-round pick is a second-generation River Hawk, as his father, Scott Meehan, played hockey at UMass Lowell from 1989-93.
"We watched Ben play junior hockey last season and improve continually as the season progressed," explained UMass Lowell Head Coach
Norm Bazin. "He drew attention from several professional teams. He has the right attitude and work ethic to continue that development in college. We're very excited to see him selected by the Los Angeles Kings."
Meehan becomes the fourth draft pick on the 2020-21 River Hawk squad, joining junior defenseman
Seth Barton (DET), sophomore goaltender
Logan Neaton (WPG) and sophomore forward
Andre Lee (LAK). Eight River Hawks who have played for Bazin have also played in the NHL, including Vezina Trophy winner
Connor Hellebuyck, Chad Ruhwedel,
C.J. Smith,
Michael Kapla,
Christian Folin,
Scott Wilson,
Joe Gambardella and
Kevin Boyle.
