Here we are deep into the off-season.  There hasn’t been much to report in the way of UMass hockey news.  All seems to be quiet on Commonwealth Ave, though no doubt the staff is keeping busy with the constant recruiting responsibilities.

The schedule for next season continues to piece together.  I recently learned that the Minutemen will travel to West Point on January 2nd to face Army.  I highly recommend making that trip if you can.  Plan on spending part of the day touring the beautiful Academy campus before taking in the game that night.  When UMass played Army in football in 2006 it gave me the chance to attend an Air Force-Army game at Tate Rink that night.  The facility is very nice and of course the pageantry of the rivalry was incredible to witness.

For up to the minute schedule updates make sure to check the FTT schedule page.  I believe I have all the info in regards to the non-conference games and have been able to fill in some of the dates for conference matchups as well.  There were rumors that UMass could play UConn at Gillette Stadium as part of next year’s Winter Classic, but that’s not going to happen.  Also, the traditional game against Vermont the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is no longer happening.  It seemed like a good idea when it started, but crowds immediately before the holiday were sparse.

Athletic Director Ryan Bamford continues to build his team with two recent appointments for senior level posts.  Veteran administrator Tom McElroy was hired as Associate Director for External Relations while Darrice Griffin was named Associate AD for Internal Operations.

Looking at former Minutemen, the Hockey Writers had this piece asking if Conor Sheary is the next Tyler Johnson.  And Eddie Olczyk, now an assistant coach for Utica College, shared what he looks for in a recruit.

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Here are some links to news from the rest of college hockey:

Could Rutgers be the next school to add a hockey program?

UMass, along with much of college hockey, is doing well in terms of the NCAA’s APR rating.

The NCAA is tweaking the rule regarding a goal scored when contact is made with the goaltender by an opponent.  It’ll be up to the official’s discretion is the contact impacted the goaltender’s ability to make the save.