LOWELL, Mass.—Senior forward
Connor Sodergren (Tewksbury, Mass.) of the UMass Lowell hockey team announced this week that he would be using his extra year of eligibility to return to the ice at the Tsongas Center for the 2021-22 season.
"We're so happy to have Connor back in the mix. He's a tenacious competitor who leads by example," said Head Coach
Norm Bazin. "He is a loyal Lowell man who will help show the way for our younger players. His energy and work ethic is contagious, and we look forward to working with him."
Named one of two captains for last year's squad, Sodergren's presence on the ice served as a catalyst for the River Hawks during the shortened 2020-21 campaign.
A key piece of the River Hawk offense, Sodergren has registered eight multi-point outings during his tenure with the River Hawks, including a career-high three-assist night against UConn his sophomore year. An asset on both the River Hawks' power play and penalty kill units, Sodergren has amassed four power play goals and a pair of shorthanded goals across his career.
The Tewksbury native joined UMass Lowell in 2017 after two seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the West Kelowna Warriors. While in the BCHL, Sodergren recorded 32 goals and 57 assists for 89 points on his way to being named an alternate captain and Team MVP during his second season. Additionally, the forward led the Warriors to the BCHL Championship in 2016 behind a 13-point (6G, 7A) postseason performance.
Off the ice, Sodergren has been a leader in the classroom for the River Hawks, earning Hockey East All-Academic Team accolades for three consecutive seasons. During his fifth year, Sodergren will be pursuing a Master's degree in finance.
