Well, if I knew that all I had to do was complain about the lack of recruits in order to get a huge influx of commitments, I would’ve done so earlier.  UMass has now gotten six recruits since that piece was written in February, with the latest being right winger Evan Stack.  Stack goes 6’1’, 185lb and, as a 1991 birthdate, is slated to come to Amherst this fall (more on that later).  Last season Stack was the captain of the Merritt Centennials in the BCHL where he had 32 goals, including 6 game winners,  and 29 assists in 60 games.  He also had four goals and three assists in nine playoff games.  He was named MVP for the Cents this past season and was named BCHL Player of the Week at least once.  His goals put him among the top 15 in the league.

Here’s a getting to know you piece from this past season.

Also on youtube are some highlight packages from 2009 to 2010 as well as 2008 to 2009.

So at first glance this seems like a good get for the coaching staff.  It’s not everyday you can add a mature goalscorer with decent size from a top notch junior league like the BCHL.  Especially in late May.  I do have to wonder how no other schools have picked him up previously.

Regardless, he looks like someone who could come in next fall and contribute right away.  But how is there room on the roster for him to come in next fall?  I have no idea.  Remember, UMass graduated four players, one being a 4th goaltender.  Yet, according to Heisenberg, there are now four forwards and a defenseman slated to come in next fall; Shane Walsh, Kenny Gillespie, K.J. Tiefenwerth, Connor Doherty, and now Stack.  Obviously there is some shakeup to the roster if all five of those are coming to campus in the fall.  But as of now I’ve yet to learn what those potential changes may be.

edit: Just noticed that Stack’s page on the BCHL site says he’s committed for 2013.  While this could be true, it would also mean he’d come to Amherst as a 22 year old freshman, which would be odd.  We’ll see.