Aug. 2, 2010

UMass Lowell hockey will look to reload for the 2010-11 campaign with the help of 10 incoming freshman, as announced by head coach Blaise MacDonald on Monday. The heralded class will feature five forwards, three defenseman and two goaltenders.

The River Hawks will welcome Derek Arnold (Norwood, Mass.), Marc Boulanger (Olds, Alb.), Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.), Nick Curry (West Point, N.Y.), Daniel Furlong (Stoneham, Mass.), Josh Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Joseph Pendenza (Melrose, Mass.), William Rayner (Newton, Mass.), Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego, Calif.) and Shayne Thompson (Ottawa, Ont.).

"I think we've got guys that really fit the type of player that has proven to be successful here at Lowell," said MacDonald. "Players that have great values, character and drive to be the best that they can be. They're a very mature group who will compete hard and will be tough to play against."

The large influx of freshman will look to build on the recent success of the River Hawk program which garnered its highest finish in Hockey East since 1995-96 and is just a season removed from the conference title game.

In all, UMass Lowell graduated 11 players from last season's squad. Among those lost were five forwards, Chris Auger, Kory Falite, Ben Holmstrom, Jonathan Maniff and Paul Worthington, four defensemen, Steve Capraro, Jeremy Dehner, Barry Goers and Nick Schaus, and goaltenders Nevin Hamilton and Carter Hutton.

"It's certainly challenging to replace a big senior class," said MacDonald. "In the past we've had two big classes, back-to-back, and we've managed our numbers better now. The biggest void will be losing two senior goaltenders, in addition to the overall spirit and work ethic of that senior class."

Arnold (5'8", 165, F) lands in Lowell after a pair of outstanding campaigns with the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League, USHL. In 2009-10, he was honored with the USHL's Curt Hammer Award, given to the player distinguishes himself both on and off the ice by demonstrating outstanding skills, pride, and determination. Arnold started "Arnie's Army" prior to the 2009-10 season, selling wrist bands and hard hats that read "Arnie's Army 29", with all proceeds benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Black Hawk County. Over the course of his Waterloo career, Arnold scored 91 points in 111 games, including last season's 59 point outburst.

Hoping to fill the vacancy in goal, Boulanger (6'0", 185, G) stopped shots for the past three seasons with the Olds Grizzlys of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, AJHL. In a 125 games with the Grizzlys, Boulanger submitted a 2.73 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.

Looking to compete for time in net as well, Carr (6'2", 200, G) was last season's Central Junior Hockey League Goaltender of the Year after a strong showing for the Cornwall Colts. While leading his club to the CJHL semi-finals, Carr posted a 27-6-1 record with a 2.50 GAA and a .919 sv%.

"With the return of T.J. Massie (Lexington, Mass.), we think all three incoming goaltenders have proven at one time in their career that they were very good," MacDonald said. "Now they need to take their experience, talent and work ethic to a higher level to prove that they can compete in Hockey East and I'm very optimistic that they will."

One of five incoming forwards, Curry (6'0", 195, F) starred in two seasons with the Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League, NAHL. An assistant captain last season, Curry scored 17 goals and 33 assists to complete his second consecutive 50 point season. During the 2008-09 campaign, he was named to the NAHL Top-Prospect Team.

One of three teammates from the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede, Furlong (5'11", 180, D) is a young defenseman who will look to compete for ice time. In 53 games last season, Furlong scored nine goals with 10 assists. He was especially effective on the power play, scoring 15 of his 19 points with the man advantage.

Holmstrom (6'0", 175, F) joins UMass Lowell after a strong stint in the USHL with Furlong on the Stampede. The brother of former River Hawk captain Ben Holmstrom, Josh scored 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points during the 2009-10 season while serving as assistant captain. Holmstrom also contributed on special teams, scoring four goals and 14 assists on the power play.

The home grown Pendenza (5'11", 190, F) makes the jump to the collegiate level after a standout season with the Junior Bruins of the Eastern Junior Hockey League, EJHL. In 44 games, he netted 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points while serving as team captain. Pendenza was named to the 2009-10 EJHL All-Star team.

Rayner (6'2", 200, D) will look to improve on his lone season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. The sizable defenseman played in 29 games and registered five assists. Prior to that, Rayner starred for South Kent School and Needham High School.

Adding to the young defensive core, Ruhwedel (5'11", 180, D) skated with fellow incoming freshmen Furlong and Holmstrom at Sioux Falls for the past two seasons. Named a USHL All-Star in 2009-10, Ruhwedel posted five goals and 17 assists for 22 points and a team-high plus-20 rating.

Lastly, Thompson (5'11", 195, F) has spent the past five seasons sharpening his skills in the CJHL, most recently playing for the Brockville Braves. A two-time CJHL All-Star, Thompson served as captain of Brockville while they won the Eastern Canadian Championship in 2009-10. In 57 games last season, he scored 33 goals and 54 assists for 87 points.

The River Hawks open the season and Hockey East play at Maine on Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The freshmen will make their home debut on Friday, Oct. 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. when UMass Lowell hosts Providence College at the newly renovated Tsongas Center. Season tickets are available for purchase at www.GoRiverHawks.com or by calling Scott Donnelly at (978) 934-4988.