Preseason Top 16: #11 UMass-Lowell

Howdy, folks. It’s that time of year again. Every so often The College Hockey Blog will be unveiling our Preseason top 16 teams, one by one. If you want to see the top 16 in order, and links to each individual preview, click the tab at the top of the page. Today’s team is #11 UMass-Lowell

Last year UMass-Lowell rode an impressive 12-5-2 second half mark all the way to the Hockey East championship game, where they lost a controversial final to Boston University. Tons of experience is back for the RiverHawks and they have a shot at their first NCAA tournament appearance in 14 years.

Lowell gets it going in the Ice Breaker this year, facing off against St. Lawrence and then a date with either Army or the suddenly intimidating Nebraska-Omaha team. Lowell’s top 7 scorers are back, and they will have 11 Seniors on the roster giving them tons of experience. I only got to see Lowell play a couple times last year, but I loved the play of Junior Scott Campbell, who had 14 goals and 30 points.

Carter Hutton and Nevin Hamilton each got playing time in net last year, and they both put up solid numbers. I would imagine they’ll both split time in net again this year, and if they put up similar numbers, combined with the increased production from the offensive corps, Lowell should be in the NCAA tournament this year.