LOWELL, Mass. – Senior
Dillan Bentley (Peoria, Ill.), graduate student
Jay Ahearn (Staten Island, N.Y.) and senior
TJ Schweighardt (Manahawkin, N.J.) of the UMass Lowell ice hockey team have been named nominees for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in Division I men's college hockey.
Bentley has had a hot start to the 2025-26 season, tallying 17 points on 10 goals and seven assists through 21 games played. He is a consistent force on both ends of the ice for the River Hawks, as he has four multi-goal games on the season and two game-winning goals, while ranking third on the team with 19 blocked shots.
Ahearn, in his first year with the River Hawks, has also been productive for the squad offensively, scoring two goals in his UMass Lowell debut against Merrimack on October 3 and ranking second on the team in both goals (9) and points (14). He has also played in every game so far this season and has collected two game-winning goals.
Schweighardt continues to be a defensive force for the River Hawks, and even though it does not always reflect on the box score, he has been a difference maker for the team this season. He has played in all 23 games and leads the team with 38 blocked shots. He also leads the team with nine assists and sits fifth with 11 points (2g, 9a), proving himself as a contributor in multiple ways. He has already surpassed his career high in points, and is on pace to break his career records in all major categories.
To vote these River Hawks, visit
hobeybaker.com/vote/
