July 2, 2009

LOWELL, MA (July 2, 2009) - UMass Lowell Hockey juniors to be Scott Campbell (Navan, Ont.) and Maury Edwards (Rocky Rapids, ALTA) recently received invitations to join NHL Developmental Camps this summer.

Edwards has already hit the ice, skating with the Columbus Blue Jackets this week, from June 29th to July 3rd, at the Dispatch Ice Haus, the Blue Jackets practice facility. Campbell will join the Boston Bruins from July 7th to July 11th at the Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, MA.

"I think it's deserving recognition for Scott and Maury because of their outstanding play," said head coach Blaise MacDonald of their invitations. "But it is also a direct reflection on the success of our team and the direction our program is heading."

The pair of River Hawks helped guide the team to a highly successful 20-16-2 record (14-11-2 in Hockey East, fifth) in 2008-09. UMass Lowell then charged through the Hockey East Playoffs, cutting down Vermont and Northeastern, before ultimately falling to Boston University in the Hockey East Championship game.

Campbell is coming off of a stellar sophomore season in which he broke out as a go-to scorer for the River Hawks, notching 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points.

"Scott has steadily improved his game and I think he can be a premier player in Hockey East," said MacDonald of Campbell. "He has all the physical and mental tools to have a long hockey career."

Campbell also set up one of the most memorable moments of the 2008-09 season, scoring the game-tying goal with 20 seconds remaining in regulation against Northeastern in the Hockey East Playoffs. His goal eventually allowed Chris Auger (Belleville, Ont.) to score the game-winner to defeat the Huskies 3-2 in double overtime.

"I hope to gain some experience from this opportunity without question, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Campbell of the invitation. "I know what my style of play is, I know the things I can and can't do, and am ready to go to work. This camp will allow me to evaluate where I'm at as a player, and will help me identify the areas I need to improve on in hopes of one day making it to the next level."

His counter-part, Edwards, also enjoyed a great deal of success last season, scoring 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points.

"The invitation is another terrific step in his progress towards his ultimate goal of playing in the NHL," said MacDonald of Edwards. "It will give him a great deal of experience in where he is at and what he needs to do to get to the next level. He has an abundance of talent, ability and passion--he just needs to continue to improve."

Edwards also played a role in the dramatic win over Northeastern, assisting on Campbell's game-tying score with a shot that deflected off of the goaltenders pads, finding its way to an opportunistic Campbell.

"I plan to use this experience to push myself to get better, faster and stronger so that I'm able to take my game to the place where I want it to be," said Edwards of the opportunity. "This should carry over to my game at school and in Hockey East."

For a behind the scenes look at the Bruins' Developmental Camp, stay tuned to www.GoRiverHawks.com and follow Scott Campbell's daily camp blog.