Head Coach Blaise MacDonald

Blaise MacDonald enters his seventh year at the helm of the UMass Lowell Hockey team, compiling a 85-109-28 record in his first six years of work behind the bench for the River Hawks.

No stranger to the UML hockey program, the native of nearby Billerica, Mass., was an assistant to UML Head Coach Billy Riley, Jr., from 1988-1990, before being named the fifth head coach in the program’s 39-year history on April 6, 2001.

“I think there is a terrific commitment from the University,” MacDonald said. “The culture of the workplace from the Chancellor to the athletic department is outstanding and strives for high performance.

“The obvious connection with me and UMass Lowell is the fact that I grew up in Billerica,” he continued. “I grew up a fan of the Lowell Chiefs and players like Craig MacTavish and Dean Jenkins. This is a dream situation for me in that perspective, especially considering the exciting growth of the campus.”

In his first season, MacDonald guided the River Hawks to a 22-13-3 record – their best performance since 1995-96. In Hockey East play, UML finished 12-9-3, good for fourth place and home ice in the Hockey East Tournament.

MacDonald put in place a system which had the River Hawks among the top four in Hockey East in several categories: team defense in all games (first) and HE games (fourth); penalty kills in all games (first) and HE games (third); team offense in all games (fourth); and power play in HE games (fourth).

In 2004-05, MacDonald guided the River Hawks to a 20-12-4 record, their best since his first year at the helm.  UML was ranked as high as seventh in the national polls, had one of the best power-play units in the nation and enjoyed a 14-game unbeaten streak from Nov. 23 to Jan. 28. The team also placed a record 17 players on Hockey East’s All-Academic team and produced Hockey East’s Superskills Rookie of the Year.

MacDonald came to Lowell after a five-year head coaching stint at Niagara University where he founded the ice hockey program and brought the Purple Eagles to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal in only four seasons.

Prior to Niagara, MacDonald served as an assistant coach and later recruiting coordinator and associate head coach at Boston University (1990-96) as well as an assistant at Princeton (1987-88) and Dartmouth (1985-87).

A 1985 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, MacDonald compiled an all-time record of 91-58-17 in five seasons at Niagara (.548), highlighted by a 30-8-4 overall clip and a 15-0-2 finish in College Hockey America in 1999-00. During the run, the Purple Eagles posted victories over Boston University, Colorado College and Rensselaer.

In the first round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament, Niagara stunned 1998-99 NCAA finalist New Hampshire (4-1) before falling to eventual national champion North Dakota (4-1). MacDonald was voted runner-up for the Spencer Penrose Award as National Coach of the Year.

MacDonald started the Niagara program in 1996 with all freshmen and guided the Purple Eagles to a 16-9-2 record as a member of the Division III ECAC West. He was voted the ECAC West Co-Coach of the Year by his peers. He then led NU to a 14-10-3 clip in its second and final season in the ECAC West in 1997-98, which included winning the Conference tournament and regular season championships.

Before joining CHA, NU spent the 1998-99 season as a Division I independent and posted a 17-12-3 record. The Purple Eagles opened the year with a stunning two-game effort at defending national champion Michigan, losing in overtime in the first meeting (6-5), and winning 2-1 a day later. NU also enjoyed victories over Ohio State, Merrimack and Rensselaer, along with wins over St. Lawrence and Colgate in the Syracuse Invitational Tournament.

In 2000-01, The Purple Eagles posted a 14-19-5 mark (10-7-3 in CHA) with a freshman-dominated lineup. NU advanced to the CHA Tournament before falling in the semifinal to Wayne State (3-2, OT) and defeating Air Force (2-1) in the consolation.

In his six years at Boston University, MacDonald helped the Terriers to a 144-42-11 record which included five appearances in the NCAA Frozen Four and the 1995 national championship. The Terriers also captured three Hockey East Tournament and regular season championships and two Beanpot crowns.

During the past 16 years, MacDonald has recruited and coached many players who have moved on to careers in the NHL. He played a key role in the development of players such as Adrian Aucoin, Rich Brennan, Greg Gardner, Mike Grier, Scott Lachance,  Tom Poti and former River Hawk All-American goalie Dwayne Roloson. MacDonald has also coached NHL all-stars Tony Amonte, Keith Tkachuk, and 1998-99 NHL Rookie of the Year Chris Drury, who helped Colorado to the 2001 Stanley Cup title.

As a player, MacDonald was an All-American defenseman in his senior season at RIT and led the Tigers to the NCAA Division II championship in 1983 and 1985. He helped RIT defeat ULowell, 5-1, in the 1983 Tournament semifinal at Tully Forum.

During his career, MacDonald set former RIT records for career assists (106) and points (119) by a defenseman. He was inducted into the RIT Hall of Fame in 1991.

MacDonald served on the American Hockey Coaches Association Board of Governors and was honored by Business First for his career achievements and community involvement as part of its 2000 “40 Under Forty” program.

An avid runner, MacDonald has competed in six Boston Marathons, recording his best time of three hours, eight minutes in 1992.

MacDonald holds dual citizenship with Canada as his parents hail from Nova Scotia. He and his wife, Carol, are the parents of four children – sons Cameron, 12, Joseph, 8, and Jacob, 6, and daughter Carly, 4, – and live in Westford, Mass.

Assistant Coach Chris MacKenzie

Entering his seventh year in the coaching ranks, Chris MacKenzie came to UMass Lowell following a stellar career at Niagara University and a one-year stint as a professional in the Finnish Elite League.

MacKenzie assists in all facets of practice and games, along with scouting and recruiting. In addition, MacKenzie spearheads the community service initiatives for the River Hawks. He also serves as the team’s academic coordinator, helping a record 17 players earn Hockey East All-Academic accolades in 2004-05.

A native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, MacKenzie was a founding member of the Purple Eagles program and served as a captain – the University’s first – all four years. MacKenzie played under the tutelage of both UML head coach Blaise MacDonald and assistant Kenny Rausch.

MacKenzie was the recipient of the Coaches Award as a freshman and as a junior and holds the University’s school records for goals (20), assists (77) and points (97) by a defenseman.

During Niagara’s short stay in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West, he earned Conference Player of the Year honors and was named to the ECAC West All-Star Team. MacKenzie continued his prowess when the Purple Eagles entered College Hockey America as he was named to the 2000 CHA All-Conference Team.

In his senior year, he helped Niagara – in only its fourth season – to an NCAA Tournament at-large bid where it stunned the University of New Hampshire, 4-1, in the Northeast Regional. The Purple Eagles, who finished with a 30-8-4 record, had their run end in the regional final with a 4-1 loss to eventual national champion North Dakota. Along the way, MacKenzie helped Niagara to an undefeated season in CHA competition (15-0-2) as well as the CHA regular season and tournament championships.

Majoring in commerce with a concentration in human resources management, MacKenzie maintained a 3.5 cumulative average and was named to the dean’s list six times and the CHA All-Academic Team as a senior. He was also the recipient of the Everett W. Ockerman Award for excellence in human resources management from the University’s College of Business.

Following graduation, MacKenzie played professionally for JYP Jyvaskyla in the Finnish Elite League. MacKenzie received his Masters in Social Psychology from UML in 2003, and has participated in numerous USA Hockey Select 14 Festivals over the years.

Prior to attending Niagara, MacKenzie played at the junior ‘B’ level with the Niagara Falls Canucks, which won the Sutherland Cup (provincial) and Golden Horseshoe League championships.

MacKenzie and his wife Allison live in Lowell.

Assistant Coach Ed Mantie

Ed Mantie is currently in his seventh season with the UMass Lowell hockey program and will oversee all of the team’s off-ice conditioning. Mantie uses a variety of tatics including weight training, plyometrics, stretching and injury prevention techniques to enhance the performance of this year’s squad.

A 1995 graduate of Boston Univeristy, Mantie earned a bachelor of science degree in human movement and has been a member of Mike Boyle’s Strength and Conditioning staff for seven years. He currently trains several professional athletes – including NHLers Hal Gill, Chris Clark and Kyle McLaren – as well as numerous athletes from the AHL, NFL and the Olympics.

A native of Danbury, Connecticut, Mantie was a four-year standout wide receiver for the Terriers, earning All-American honors his senior season. That year, he led the NCAA Division I in catches with 81.

Mantie and his wife Kerri live in South Boston.

Assistant Coach Jeff Daw

Former UMass Lowell standout and 11-year professional Jeff Daw enters his first year as an assistant coach with the River Hawks.

Daw enjoyed a stellar career at UMass Lowell and served as the team’s captain for his junior and senior seasons. He made an immediate impact as a freshman earning UML’s Rookie of the Year honors after posting 30 points on 12 goals and 18 assists in 37 games.

He went on to compile 141 points over his four years in Lowell, placing him 15th on the school’s all-time scoring list. Daw also ranks among UML’s career leaders with 157 games (2nd), 68 goals (9th), and 31 power play goals (4th).  In 1995-96, his senior season, he led the nation with 16 power play goals, a school single-season record.

The Carlisle, Ontario native led the River Hawks in goals scored in each of his final two seasons. His 27 goals in 1994-95 are tied for 10th in school history.

Following his playing days at UML, Daw embarked on an 11-year professional playing career from 1996-2007. He spent parts of 10 seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL), including two seasons with the Lowell Lock Monsters. Daw made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche on January 30, 2002.

Daw spent the final three seasons of his playing career in the United Hockey League, suiting up for the Danbury Trashers and Elmira Jackals. He posted back-to-back 70-plus point seasons for the Trashers, including a career-best 76 points (29 goals, 47 points) in 2004-05.

Prior to UMass Lowell, Daw spent four seasons with the Milton Merchants where he was a two-time league all-star in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League.

Daw resides in Fitchburg, Mass. with his wife Lynne and daughters Winona and Lindsey.

Darryl Green
Director of Hockey Operations

Darryl Green, a former River Hawks defenseman, joins the program in 2007-08 as the Director of Hockey Operations.

Green appeared in 101 games for the River Hawks from 2000-03. He totaled 48 points on 13 goals and 35 assists.

During his junior season, Green was named Hockey East Player of the Week on January 14, 2002 after tallying a goal and an assist as UML defeated Boston College twice. The River Hawks defeated BC 3-2 on Jan. 11 (road) and 8-4 on Jan. 12 (home).

Green’s best offensive season for UML was in 2001-02 when he totaled 23 points on five goals and 18 assists. Defensively, he played a key role in the River Hawks posting a school-record eight shutouts.

Green went on to play two seasons of professional hockey after his UML playing days were over. He played for the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League (CHL) in 2003-04, where he compiled 30 points (9 goals and 21 assists) and 55 penalty minutes.

In 2004-05, Green played for the Pee-Dee Pride of the ECHL. He totaled 24 points on 11 goals and 13 assists, and 118 penalty minutes in 67 games.

For the last two seasons, Green has worked as an assistant coach for the Middlesex School. Green helped guide Middlesex to the Eberhardt League championship in 2006-07.

Green lives in Milford, N.H. with his wife Nikki.

Arthur Poitras, M. Ed, LATC, enters his 25th year at UMass Lowell and oversees an athletic health care staff of three which serves more than 300 men’s and women’s athletes.  A native of Dracut, MA, Poitras was named Head Athletic Trainer for the River Hawks in the fall of 1999 and is primarily responsible for the day-to-day health care needs of the UML ice hockey team.

In addition to standard athletic training duties, Poitras handles the administration of athletic insurance and budget issues and is a staff liaison with outside medical providers.  On the national level, Poitras serves as the representative to the College/University Athletic Trainer’s Committee, dealing with issuses surrounding college athletic trainers around the country.  This past spring, Poitras received the Marc Connelly Award, given annually to a non-player who made a significant, positive impact on the River Hawk hockey program.

A 1981 graduate of Springfield College, Poitras earned his degree in Physical Education and received his National Athletic Trainers Association certificate in 1982.  Poitras joined the athletic training staff at UML as a graduate assistant in 1981 before becoming a full-time assistant in 1983.  In 1989, he earned his National Strength and Conditioning Association certification and completed his Master's degree in Education Administration at UMass Lowell in 1995.

Poitras, who has missed one game since UML’s entry into Division I in 1983-84, resides in Dracut, MA, with his wife, Leslie, and son Timothy, 9, who are regulars at UML hockey games.