UMass Lowell Athletics

AS A SOPHOMORE (2020-21): Saw action between the pipes in three games for the River Hawks this season, including one start against Providence (12/13)…Made 25 stops to finish with a .893 save percentage against Providence (12/13)…Stepped in and made 14 stops in the River Haws’ 9-5 win over Maine (1/4)…Played a complete period and stopped eight shots against Boston College (2/12).

AS A FRESHMAN (2019-2020): He registered two starts and three appearances in his freshman campaign for the River Hawks, posting a 0-2-0 record with a 3.85 GAA and a .869 save percentage. Made 25 saves in his first career start on October 18th at the Tsongas Center against Colgate. Neaton stopped a career-high 27 shots on January 11th at RIT. Was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team, in addition to his selection to the Hockey East All-Academic All-Star Team in his first season with UMass Lowell. Neaton was earned Hockey East Top Scholar-Athlete honors. 

NHL Draft: Neaton was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft with the 144th pick in the fifth round. Read full story

Previous Team: He played for the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) during the 2018-19 season for head coach Adam Maglio. Neaton totaled a 32-8-0 record in 47 contests for the Spruce Kings to go along with a 1.92 GAA, a .914 save percentage and five shutouts. In 17 playoff games for Prince George, he amassed a 16-1-0 record with an impressive 1.46 GAA, .940 save percentage and two shutouts.

Personal: Son of Kelly and Patrick Neaton... Has two siblings, Connor and McKenna... His father Patrick played hockey at the University of Michigan (1989-93) and also played for the Pittsgburgh Penguins during the 1993-94 season, When away from the rink he likes fishing and hiking... Favorite TV show is The Office... His favorite professional sports team is the Detroit Tigers... His favorite sports figure and influence is Tom Brady. His greatest sports moment was winning a high school hockey state championship our senior year and winning the BCHL championship in juniors.

Why Neaton chose UMass Lowell: UMass Lowell was honestly the perfect fit for me, it gives me a great opportunity to grow as both a hockey player as well as a student. They're a program with a very rich hockey history that plays in one of the best conferences in the nation, and it's also a school that can provide me with a phenomenal degree.

Neaton's plans after college: I plan to pursue a pro hockey career following my time at UMass Lowell, as well as look in to opportunities that my business degree from UMass Lowell will afford me.