The UMass Lowell ice hockey team recently wrapped up their 2025-26 campaign, playing to a 13-22-0 record (9-15-0 Hockey East), collecting plenty of accomplishments and highlights along the way. 

The squad picked up four victories over ranked opponents and defeated Boston University twice for the first time since the 2021–22 season, while ranking third in Hockey East and 11th nationally with an average attendance of 5,345. Individually, nine players set or tied career highs in points, while the River Hawks tied for second in the nation with 11 goals from freshman defensemen and earned six Hockey East weekly awards.

Freshman Austin Elliott got the nod between the pipes for his collegiate debut and picked up Hockey East Goaltender of the Week for keeping the Warriors off the board with the 17 save shutout win.

At Mercyhurst on October 24 and 25, the River Hawks picked up the two-game weekend sweep with 4-0 and 4-3 victories. Dillan Bentley was named Hockey East Player of the Week for his performance in the series, closing it out with four total points on two goals and one assist, including the game-winning goal in game two. 

Following the sweep, the team got their first ranked victory against #16/15 Providence, 5-1, at home at the Tsongas, securing a series split with the Friars. They went on to split the next weekend’s home-and-home series with New Hampshire, taking game two on the road, 6-1. 

Next was the Adirondack Winter Invitational, where the River Hawks looked to defend their title after winning last year’s inaugural tournament. They fell in game one to Clarkson but bounced back the next night for a 7-3 win over St. Lawrence to close it out on a good note. Freshman Dalyn Wakely earned his first career hat trick in the win, garnering Hockey East Rookie of the Week honors. 

The team then went into the break with a 6-11-0 record but snapped back into competition mode immediately upon their return, as freshman David Adaszynski lifted the River Hawks to a 3-2 overtime win in a home exhibition game against Bentley on December 28, warming them up for a January trip to California to host the Cactus Cup in Palm Springs for the second consecutive year. 

Once again looking to defend their title at the Cactus Cup, UMass Lowell soared past #14 Minnesota State to advance to the championship game, thanks to a two-goal, three-point game from Dillan Bentley. 

The championship game was a battle, as the team fell just short to St. Cloud State, 3-2, with Bentley adding another goal to complete a four-point weekend and secure himself Hockey East Player of the Week honors for the second time. 

The squad bounced back once again with a ranked conference victory at #10/11 UConn, 5-3, on January 9 that featured two-point games from Ahearn (2g), Bentley (2a) and Sean Kilcullen (2a), splitting the series, before another ranked split against #20 Boston University. Freshman Nate Misskey scored the game-winner on the road against the Terriers to give the River Hawks a 4-3 win and was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week for his heroics.   

After a 3-1 win over rival Massachusetts, the team swept Vermont on the road and Misskey picked up another weekly award. This time, it was Defender of the Week after scoring twice in game one and ending the weekend with four blocked shots and a +4 rating. 

In the regular season finale at home, the River Hawks honored their seniors and got their second win over Boston University, 4-3, to win the season series for the first time since 2021-22.

Their 13-21-0 record and 9-14 Hockey East record following the regular season ranked them as the ninth seed entering the Opening Round and matched them up with eighth-seeded Merrimack. It was a hard-fought battle on the road, but the River Hawks fell, 5-3 to conclude the 2025-26 season.

STAT LEADERS

Dillan Bentley

Led the team with 25 points on 14 goals (team-high) and 11 assists in 33 games

TJ Schweighardt

Led the team with 48 blocked shots // Led all defensemen with 13 assists

Chris Delaney

Led the team with 17 assists // Finished tied for second with 20 points

Dalyn Wakely

Led all freshmen with 19 points and seven goals

Samuel Richard

Led goaltenders with a 2.93 GAA and .900 save percentage

The team gathered one final time for the annual team Awards Banquet, where coaches, players, staff and friends of the program come together to recap the season and give out the team awards.

Dillan Bentley, who could not be present after signing with the Laval Rocket of the AHL, was named the team’s Most Valuable Player, and earned the Gus Coutu Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of the River Hawk Hockey program, as well as the G. Harvey Chandler Award for finishing as the team’s top scorer. 

Dalyn Wakely was named the Rookie of the Year, while TJ Schweighardt picked up Best Defensive Player honors and Josh Mori earned Most Improved Player. 

Billy Riley was not able to attend to hand out the Billy Riley “Unsung Hero” Award, but Assistant Coach Dan Darrow stepped in to present the honor to David Adaszynski, before Sean Kilcullen took home the Coaches’ Perseverance Award for his determination and drive displayed throughout the season. Alison Quandt Westgate rounded out the awards as the Marc Connelly Award recipient, given to the non-player who makes a positive significant impact on the program.