LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell ice hockey senior
Jake Stella (Karlstad, Sweden) has signed with the Calgary Flames' ECHL affiliate, Rapid City Rush, as announced by the organization on Wednesday, March 20.
"Jake has been a tireless worker and an all-situations player for our team for the past two years," said Head Coach
Norm Bazin. "We're excited he is getting a chance to start his professional career with Rapid City. This will allow him the opportunity to start climbing the chain of professional hockey. We wish him well."
Serving as a captain for the 2023-24 squad, Stella finished the year scoring three goals and dishing out six assists for nine points in 29 games for the River Hawks. The aggressive forward also tallied 22 blocks on the season.
Throughout a five-year NCAA Division I career, Stella appeared in 146 games with 61 points (20g, 41a), while making an immediate impact with the River Hawks after his arrival before the 2022-23 season, when he put up 13 points (4g, 9a) in 36 games.
He has also shined in the classroom during his time at UMass Lowell, earning 2022-23 Hockey East All-Academic honors while working towards a degree in Liberal Arts, with concentrations in Economics and American Studies.
