March 24, 2010

Following the signings of Ben Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, CO), Nick Schaus (Buffalo, NY) and Carter Hutton (Thunder Bay, Ont.), two more River Hawks have landed professional hockey contracts. Senior Jeremy Dehner (Madison, WI) joined the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League, AHL, and senior Barry Goers (Ivyland, PA) signed with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the East Coast Hockey League, ECHL.

Dehner, who will wear number 15 with the Admirals, led all UMass Lowell skaters with a plus 15 rating while quarterbacking the River Hawk defense. Named an All-Hockey East Second Team selection this season, Dehner was a three-year alternate captain and finished seventh on the team in scoring with 21 points on six goals and 15 assists.

The Wisconsin native finished his career as the third highest scoring Division I defenseman in school history with 79 points.

Goers was also a three-year alternate captain of the River Hawks and finished this season with five points after battling through an injury early in the campaign. For his career, Goers amassed 42 points on five goals and 37 assists.

"Barry is a defenseman who is comfortable handling and moving the puck," said Wranglers Head Coach Ryan Mougenel in announcing the signing. "I believe he has what it takes to be an extremely successful defenseman at this level and should help us in our push for the Kelly Cup Playoffs."

Since the end of the 2009-10 season, five UMass Lowell seniors have signed professional contracts. Holmstrom and Schaus signed entry-level contracts with the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks, respectively, of the National Hockey League. Hutton joined the Adirondack Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Flyers.