Dick Baker of the Republican has a nice story on Darren Rowe on the heels of his two assist performance last Saturday. Baker mentions what I’ve been wondering, will Rowe eventually be moved up to forward? It seems like he’d be better suited given his offensive abilities, size or lack thereof, and his so-so play on defense. Going into next season Toot will have the daunting task of trying to replace both Justin Braun and Martin Nolet on defense. Currently on the roster are redshirts Anthony Raiola and Djan Lefebvre as well as Mike Donnellan who has only been used sparingly. Coming in will be Joel Hanley, Colin Shea, and Conor Allen. Assuming three out of those six can be used on an everyday basis there should be room to transition Rowe up front. At the very least he could go back and forth on a game to game basis the way Mark Matheson did a few years back.
The Daily Collegian recaps the weekend that was. Toot reiterates the point I made in my recap about the importance of producing goals from the other lines.
The game notes are up for the Boston College game already. Operation 8K is in full effect.
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According to USHR UMass has lost out on recruit Nick Luukko as the 6’2″ 180lb defenseman will be heading to Vermont instead. Luukko is currently playing for Gunnery Prep. What hurts a little is that his dad is a UMass alum and President of the Philladelphia Flyers. I mentioned him in my blog around the time of the Winter Classic.
In good news Conor Allen was named USHL Defenseman of the Week. Allen had two goals and a +5 rating over the weekend.
Joel Hanley seems to be recovering well from his broken leg and picking up where he left off for the Newmarket Hurricanes. He has two goals in his first three games back from injury.
Peter Deangelo had two goals and an assists in three games this weekend for the Junior Monarchs.
Mike Pereira (44pts) and Conor Sheary (41pts) continue to climb up the scoring ranks in New England prep hockey. They’re 5th and 11th respectively.
Interesting to note that three brothers of UMass recruits played on three different Beanpot teams yesterday; Mike Pereira’s brother Joe for BU, Chris Del Mauro’s brother Mike for Harvard, and Colin Shea’s brother Ed for BC. T.J. Syner’s cousin Barry Almeida was also on the ice for the Eagles.
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The Nashua Telegraph has an article on Scott Crowder and his Pond Hockey Classic which takes place this weekend.
Fear The Triangle - UMass Hockey Blog 
bob
/ February 9, 2010which recruits do you feel will have the best impact for next yr..I think we need some depth up front..not sure if everybody will return..and a solid defenseman we seemed to be wearing down on the blue line.
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rocks22
/ February 10, 2010I think Mike Pereira will be able to make an immediate impact and likely Conor Sheary as well. Joel Hanley is likely another candidate to be able to come in right away and provide quality minutes.
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