2022-23 was a tough season for Greg Carvel and the UMass Amherst Minutemen, going 7-14-3, their first losing season since 2017-18. UMass had several incredible runs at the start of the 20’s, but replicating that success appears to require a hard miracle, as the Minutemen do not have the firepower they possessed on the roster as recently as two years ago.

The Minutemen, like the rest of the Hockey East I have already covered, have a handful of intriguing incoming Freshmen who could make a big impact on their roster. Headline among them is the Arizona Coyotes’ 2nd round pick: Michael Hrabal. Hrabal, standing 6’7”, posted a 2.86gaa against a 0.908 sv percentage a year ago. Taking advantage of his size, Hrabal has exceptional vision in conjunction with phenomenal lateral movement that allows him to reach a lot of shots that most goalies at his level can’t. Dans Locmelis comes to Umass after posting 59pts in 44 gp for Lulea’s junior team last year. Also of note, Locmelis was a 2022 4th round pick by the Boston Bruins. Aydar Suniev is a very interesting addition, having been taken in the 3rd round by the Colorado Avalanche, he posted 90 pts in 50gp for an exceptional Penticton Vees squad. It will be interesting to see if Suniev can continue his offensive output at this level with less offensively gifted teammates than he had a year ago. Sebastien Tjornqvist rounds out the last of Umass’ intriguing incoming Freshmen. Tjornqvist is a talented two-way defenseman who posted 29 pts in 50gp for the USHL’s Tri-City Storm. Collectively, this group of four players could elevate UMass Amherst back to their winning ways if they continue their developmental trajectory.

Four returning players for the Minutemen who will need to be significant players for the team this season are Scott Morrow, Kenny Connors, Ryan Ufko, and Cole O’Hara. Connors, a former 4th round pick by the LA Kings, posted a team-leading (among forwards) 26 pts in 32gp. Connors will once again be expected to produce, especially if Suniev and Locmelis are unable to make a quick jump to the NCAA level. O’Hara, also a forward, posted 17 pts in 32gp while playing consistently in his own zone. O’Hara, much like Conners, will need to be a primary source of scoring for the Minutemen if the two new recruits have a slow transition at the NCAA level. Morrow returns as the team’s leading scorer, and he did it from the blue line. Morrow posted 31 pts in 35gp while playing a consistent two-way game. Ufko, also a defenseman, finished 3rd on the team a year ago with 24 pts in 32gp while also being an exceptional two-way defender.

In conclusion, the Umass Amherst Minutemen could have an improved season from a year ago, but their season is heavily incumbent on coach Carvel’s ability to transition their young core to reach its potential as quickly as possible. If Hrabal and Suniev are able to get going right out of the gates this season, the Minutemen could get on a run, especially in a Hockey East that is lacking between the pipes.