Dave Geringer, Sports Information Director                              (508) 990-9651 			[log in to unmask]
For Immediate Release: Friday, 10 November 2006


2006-2007 UMASS DARTMOUTH HOCKEY PREVIEW

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA-Last season, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth hockey team went where no Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Northeast team had gone before, winning the conference championship, advancing to the NCAA Division III Championships, and becoming the first team in league history to win an NCAA tournament game.

The Corsairs hope to replicate their success this season, even though the element of surprise has been lost.

“We’re hoping to begin this season off the high of last year,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach John Rolli. “However, we have to realize that as defending champs, we are clearly being hunted.”

Rolli, who is entering his 23rd season and ranks first among all NCAA hockey coaches with a .782 winning percentage fashioned with a 416-111-19 record, likes his team’s balance. “Entering the start of the season, we have skill and experience up front, on defense, and in goal,” said Rolli. “Our team is skilled in all three areas.”

Nineteen veterans return for the Corsairs, who plan to use senior forwards Kyle McCullough (Danvers, MA/Boston JR Blackhawks), Jim Foley (Taunton, MA/Catholic Memorial HS), and junior forward Jeff Grant (Burlington, MA/Austin Prep) as their top line entering the season.

“Our first line, which features Jim Foley and Kyle McCullough as wingers, centered by Jeff Grant, should be not only one of the top lines in the northeast, but also in all of Division III hockey,” said Rolli. “This could be one of the best lines on any team we’ve had here.”

McCullough led the ECAC Northeast Conference last year with 24 goals and 46 points, and was named first team All-ECAC Northeast, was a semi-finalist for the Joe Concannon Award, was named an honorable mention NCAA Division III East All-American by U.S. College Hockey Online, and a pre-season 2nd team USCHO All-American. Foley, the team captain, scored eight goals and added 14 assists for 22 points a year ago, while Grant was the Corsairs’ third leading scorer with 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points. 

Other top returning forwards include seniors Ray Kirby (Fairhaven, MA/Salem State/York Stars, 12-9-21 in 2005-06), Peter Lindner (Parlin, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy, 13-21-34), junior Paul Garabedian (Belmont, MA/Belmont HS, 4-4-8), and sophomores Chris Shore (West Haven, CT/Winchendon Academy, 6-5-11) and Nick Paquin (Warwick, RI/Winchendon Academy, 2-1-3), while junior forward Tyler Vrolyk (Boylston, MA/New England JR Falcons), scored seven goals and 16 points two seasons ago, is also back.

Senior Paul Carr (Chicopee, MA/Cathedral HS, 0-18-18, named to ECAC Northeast Tournament All-Star Team) and junior Tyler Crocker (Wakefield, MA/Wakefield HS, 1-13-14) will start the season as UMD’s top pair on defense. “They will see a lot of minutes against the opposition’s top lines,” said Rolli. Junior Mike McNulty (Hingham, MA/Winchendon Academy, 0-2-2) and sophomores Francis Gunn (Winthrop, MA/Berkshire Academy, 3-4-7) and Dave Doucette (Westford, MA/Kimball Union Academy) will also be in the mix.

In goal, Jon Dryjowicz-Burek, the Most Outstanding Player of last year’s ECAC Northeast Tournament, an American Hockey Coaches Association second team All-American and a USCHO first team All-Star, transferred to UMass Lowell. Sophomore Jeff Green ((Medway, MA/Valley JR Warriors, 7-0-0 in seven starts with a 0.97 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage and three shutouts) will inherit the starting position. 

“Jeff was clearly outstanding in his seven games for us last year,” said Rolli. “He has comfortably moved into the starter’s role during our pre-season training.” Junior Bruce Maggio (Quincy, MA/North Quincy HS, 1-0-0, 3.00) will back up Green.

Several newcomers are expected to contribute. Freshmen forwards Pat Welch (Dorchester, MA/ Baystate JR Breakers), Billy Carroll (Duxbury, MA/Bridgton Academy), Matt Serino (Saugus, MA/Avon Old
Farms), Matt Berard (Calgary, AB/Berkshire Academy) and defenseman Paul Moran (Rockville Centre, NY/ Boston JR Bulldogs) as well as sophomore defensemen Eric Quinlan (Saugus, MA/Avon Old Farms/Merrimack College) and Chris Carpenter (Westford, MA/Berkshire Academy/Connecticut College) will be counted on to add depth. “Paul Moran has earned himself a spot in the opening night lineup,” said Rolli. “Also earning spots are Billy Carroll, Pat Welch and Matt Serino.”

Rolli is hoping for the best. “Right now, we’re guardedly optimistic heading into the season,” said Rolli. “Defeating Geneseo State in the NCAA Tournament helped make people aware that there is some good hockey played in the ECAC Northeast.”

Once again, the Corsairs have a challenging schedule. They will play host Babson in the Babson Invitational Tournament, which also includes Geneseo State and Southern Maine, and meet Tufts, Wesleyan and Connecticut College of the powerful New England Small College Athletic Conference. The conference schedule includes a match up with pre-season favorite Curry at home December 2nd.

“We’re thrilled to be invited to the Babson Tournament for the third time,” said Rolli. “We are also glad to play three teams from the NESCAC, which is one of the top Division III leagues in the country. Curry is once again picked as the top team in our league, and teams that have clearly improved their lineups, such as Fitchburg State, Nichols and Plymouth State, will all challenge for home ice and a top seed in the playoffs.” 

UMass Dartmouth’s home venue, the Stephen Hetland Memorial Ice Arena in New Bedford, was renovated last summer, and features new boards and improved lighting. The Corsairs will inaugurate the 2006-07 season Friday night against Lebanon Valley College at 7:30 p.m. when they raise the ECAC Northeast Championship banner prior to the opening face-off. The Corsairs hope Friday night's ceremony is a harbinger of things to come this season.




UMASS DARTMOUTH HOCKEY