LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Hockey Head Coach
Norm Bazin '94 has announced his complete incoming class for the 2020-21 season.
"We're very excited with this incoming class of student-athletes leading into the upcoming 2020-21 hockey season," said Bazin. "I feel we have a mix of players who will have an immediate impact and others who will grow and develop within the program. They came from respected leagues, helping their teams win championships on their journeys to college.
This talented group of eight newcomers, which includes five forwards, two defensemen and a goalie, is set to join the River Hawks this fall. They represent five different states, as well as Canada. Rising sophomore Josh Latta (West Vancouver, B.C.) is the lone transfer among the class, and will be joined by freshmen Matthew Allen (Minco, Okla.), Andranik Armstrong (Alexandria, Va.), Brehdan Engum (Burnsville, Minn.), Matthew Kinash (Edmonton, Alberta), Ben Meehan (Walpole, Mass.), Jackson Sterrett (Hendersonville, Tenn.) and Henry Welsch (Lakeville, Minn.).
"We base a lot of our decisions on character," added the veteran coach. "This group has individuals with a good sense of who they are as people and how they need to play in order to maximize their success. Our coaching staff is looking forward to working with this group."
RIVER HAWK PLAYER PROFILES
Name: Matthew Allen
Hometown/High School: Minco, Okla./Epic Charter
Position: Forward
Height: 5'10
Weight: 168
Previous Team: Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)
Major: Business Administration
Before UMass Lowell: Allen played his junior hockey with the Amarillo Bulls (NAHL) for two seasons … captained the 2019-20 squad … led the team in scoring with 25 goals and 57 points in 54 games … tied for fifth in the NAHL for goals scored … named to the NAHL South Division and NAHL Second All-Star Team … prior to his time with Amarillo, Allen skated for the Iowa Wild and Syracuse Stampede.
Name: Andranik Armstrong-Kingcade
Hometown/High School: Alexandria, Va./Kimball Union Academy
Position: Forward
Height: 5'9
Weight: 185
Previous Team: Minot Minotauros (NAHL)
Major: Finance
Before UMass Lowell: Armstrong-Kincade played for the Minot Minotauros (NAHL) during the 2019-20 season … registered 44 points (25g, 19a) in 50 games to rank second on the squad in scoring … prior to the NAHL, Armstrong played one season with the Brooks Bandits (AJHL), recording nine goals and 23 assists … played three years at Kimball Union Academy (2015-18) … tallied 32 goals and 63 assists in 111 games.
Name: Brehdan Engum
Hometown/High School: Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville
Position: Defense
Height: 6'2
Weight: 215
Previous Team: Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Major: Exercise Science
Before UMass Lowell: Engum has spent the last two seasons with the Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) … registered 32 points (6g, 26a) in 95 games … his +22 was the squads best plus/minus rating of the season … prior to his time in the USHL, Engum played three seasons for the Burnsville Blaze … was named team captain his senior year … led the team in points, tallying 21 in 27 games … awarded the Burnsville Hobey Baker Character Award … graduated with high distinction.
Name: Matthew Kinash
Hometown/High School: Edmonton, Alberta/Vimy Ridge Academy
Position: Forward
Height: 6'0
Weight: 185
Previous Team: Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL)
Major: Business Administration
Before UMass Lowell: Kinash has spent the last two seasons with the Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL) … recorded 82 points (35g, 47a) in 95 games to rank third on the team … prior to his time in the AJHL, Kinash played three seasons with OHA Edmonton (CSSHL) … named team captain in his senior season … led the squad in scoring two years in a row with 41 goals in 64 games played … named team's Most Inspirational Player and Most Improved … twice named to the CSSHL Academic Team.
Name: Josh Latta
Hometown/High School: West Vancouver, B.C./Rockridge Secondary
Position: Forward
Height: 5'11
Weight: 180
Previous School: Alabama Huntsville
Previous Team: Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
Major: Finance
Before UMass Lowell: Latta played for Alabama Huntsville in 2019-20, leading the squad with 18 points (7g,11a) as a freshman … appeared in 49 games in 2018-19 with the Vernon Vipers (BCHL), totaling 40 points on 19 goals and 21 assists as an alternate captain … split the 2017-18 season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) and Vernon, playing 37 games with 16 points on eight goals and eight assists between the two squads … played 42 games in 2016-17 with Salmon Arm, totaling 21 points on eight goals and 13 assists … before junior hockey, Latta was a two-time captain for Rockridge Secondary.
Name: Ben Meehan
Hometown/High School: Walpole, Mass./Dexter Southfield
Position: Defense
Height: 6'0
Weight: 190
Previous Team: Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
Major: Business Administration
Before UMass Lowell: Meehan, son of former River Hawk Scott Meehan, comes to Lowell after spending the last season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) … scored eight goals and added 10 assists for 18 points in 25 games played … awarded USHL Defensemen of the Week after a four-point performance against Omaha (Oct. 22) … skated in six games with Team USA, helping them secure the bronze medal at the World Junior A Challenge … prior to entering junior hockey, Meehan spent three seasons at the Dexter Southfield School, posting a 11-34-45 total in 76 games.
Name: Jackson Sterrett
Hometown/High School: Hendersonville, Tenn./Pope John Paul II
Position: Forward
Height: 5'11
Weight: 183
Previous Team: Maryland Black Bears (NAHL)
Major: Business Administration
Before UMass Lowell: Sterrett arrives in Lowell from the Maryland Black Bears of the NAHL … led the squad with 42 points (19g, 23a) in 52 games played … recorded four shorthanded goals to tie for most in the NAHL … prior to Maryland, Sterrett played for the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL … Sterrett posted 9-16-25 totals in 57 games … before entering junior hockey, Sterrett played one year for Pope John Paul II, leading the squad in goals and points.
Name: Henry Welsch
Hometown/High School: Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South
Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'2
Weight: 195
Previous Team: Aberdeen Wings (NAHL)
Major: Engineering
Before UMass Lowell: Welsch comes to Lowell after spending the last season with the Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) … saw action in 32 games, recording a 1.99 goals against average, which tied for seventh in the league … posted a 21-6-3 record … his .926 save percentage tied for sixth in the NAHL … before junior hockey, Welsch played for Lakeville South High School … recorded a 2.27 goals against average and .924 save percentage in his final season … broke the state record with 131 saves in three games during the Minnesota High School Boys State Hockey Tournament … member of the National Honor Society.
