LOWELL, Mass.—UMass Lowell ice hockey Head Coach
Norm Bazin announced his leadership core for the upcoming season, naming graduate student
Ben Meehan (Walpole, Mass.), graduate student
Pierson Brandon (Irvington, N.Y.) and senior
Owen Cole (Dunnville, Ontario) as 2024-25 captains.
"The 2024-25 season will finally start, and we have chosen our leadership for this upcoming season," said Bazin. "Our staff has decided to opt for tri-captains for this upcoming season. All three of these young men had votes for captain and all were supported heavily by their teammates. For this reason, we have decided to let them share the responsibility for the leadership of our team this upcoming season."
Meehan will now wear the "C" for the second consecutive year, after being named one of two captains before the 2023-24 season. He continues to be a consistent leader for the team, but also a consistent defensive force, playing in 109 career games with 10 goals and 41 assists for 51 points.
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Ben Meehan returns as graduate player and will serve as a second-term captain," said Bazin. "His season was cut short last year with injury which led to a surgery and a lengthy recovery. We look forward to having him for a full campaign. He has proven a selfless competitor who motivates everyone around him to succeed. He could have gone anywhere after graduation but chose to come back to help our team which further strengthens why his commitment to the team is so admired by both staff and players alike. We are excited to support Ben, so he has his best college season this year."
A graduate transfer this season, Brandon certainly has leadership history, serving as a captain at Colgate in his senior year and an assistant captain as a junior. He also wore the "A" during his final year as a member of the NAHL's Aberdeen Wings. At Colgate, he totaled 125 games played with 46 points on 13 goals and 33 assists and will look to bolster the River Hawks' defensive unit this season.
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Pierson Brandon is defenseman who transferred in after graduating from Colgate University," said Bazin. "He is an intelligent young man who is motivated to play the game the right way. It's rare to see someone come into a program and garner this type of respect so quickly. He was a captain on the two prior teams he played for, and it is obvious to see why. He demands those around play hard by showing the way. He is described by teammates as mature, experienced and driven. We feel these qualities will permeate to others as he continues to prove himself in Hockey East."
Cole is another player that is no stranger to the leadership role, serving as an assistant captain as a junior last season. He capped off the year with the team-lead in goals with 10, as well as ranking second on the team with 17 points after playing in all 36 games. He will look to lead the River Hawks and continue his successful career that has seen 91 games with 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points.
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Owen Cole is now a senior forward who is our top returning goal leader from one year ago," said Bazin. "Owen epitomizes the discipline we hope to see on a daily basis. He leads by example and has a deep understanding of what it is to be a Lowell Man. His teammates describe him as vocal, detailed and accountable. He is a strong communicator and someone the staff will lean on to forward our message. We look forward to seeing Owen guide his teammates while supporting him, so he has a terrific senior campaign."
The River Hawks kick off the season on Friday, October 11, when they host Minnesota Duluth for game one of a two-game home set.
